“What?” I asked. “What is it?”
“He is really hot, you know.”
I looked at Betty with confusion. “What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.
She replied all flushed. “Nothing really. I just want you to keep an open mind. That man is so fucking hot, and so smart! If I wasn’t married, I’d totally go for that job and…” Betty left her sentence unfinished, giggling like a little girl, fanning herself.
“You mean the admin job? Is that what is exciting you this much?” I frowned at her, still confused. “What does the job have to do with you being married? If you want it that much, you should go for it.”
She only shook her head, and when I realized she wouldn’t explain further, I asked, “Are you hiding something from me? Is he an asshole? I mean the hot ones usually are assholes, so I expect it. They are usually hard to work for and often on some power trip. Is that what you are not telling me? Because I can’t be picky at this point.”
“Gemma, the pay is great. And the man!” She let out a dreamy sigh and fanned her face openly now. Considering our age, we might be going through some hot flashes, but it seemed hers was caused by this Baldwin man.
“I can’t believe we are wasting our breath on whether this guy is hot or not. I just want a damn job,” I grumbled quietly, a bit agitated that Betty seemed so enthralled and focused on the man while I was desperately trying to just get a job. She was totally lost in her world fantasizing about this guy, while I was losing my mind out of worry.
“Don’t you think we are a bit too old to be drooling over men?” I huffed annoyed with her.
Betty giggled now. “Why do you act like we’re in our seventies instead of thirties?”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Maybe because I have three kids, and we are no longer in our twenties.”
“Gemma, you are beautiful, smart, and funny!”
“And I am sure smart and funny are perfect qualifications for an executive assistant,” I replied sarcastically.
“What do you have to lose?” Betty was going into her all sales mode. “You should at least meet him and check it out. You need the money. What is the worst thing that could happen?”
“Famous last words,” I muttered while taking a sip of my tea.
“I’ll text you the details.” She grabbed her phone and hurried up to text someone with my details before I changed my mind.
Two hours later, I was picking up my kids from school and daycare. A note from Betty came with a date, time, address, and contact name for the interview with Kristoff Baldwin.
As I pulled into my driveway, my kids ran out of the car as I remained sitting. I worked hard for my education and career, only to find myself at the bottom again. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. I got out of the car, but instead of going inside, I walked into the back yard.
The beautiful open view of Chesapeake Bay stretched for miles in front of me. I felt at peace every time I looked out onto the sea. It was the closest I felt to being at home since I came into this country. When my parents died in a car crash, I felt there were too many painful memories to stay in Croatia. Everywhere I turned, there was some small or big trigger reminding me of them. So on a whim after graduating high school, I decided to come back to the states, where I was born, and go to college. It was where I met Jack, Rick, and Betty. First few years back were busy and crazy, a different world for me.
Forcing my thoughts back to the present situation, I decided I couldn’t give up. I loved this house! It was where all my girls were born, and they were so happy here. I glanced down at my phone and made up my mind.
Betty is right! What do I have to lose?I can always find a better job when the economy picks up. I sent a text to Betty confirming I’m going.
And as I hit off send, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something Betty didn’t say.