Page 5 of Idle

Clearing his throat, he asks, “What brought on this call? Fancy any design tips?”

I wish. “Nah, I’m good on that front. I heard about a new remodeling competition show on TV and I’ve asked everyone I know to apply with me, but they turned me down. Just met with my last possibility. She said she’ll get back to me by the end of the week.”

“She’ll come through for you, have no fear. Your work deserves to be out in the world.”

His positivity is what I needed. “I hope you’re right.”

“Without a doubt. It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

Gotta love his clichés. “So you say.”

“Keep your chin up.”

We hang up. I send a prayer out to the universe that Mr. Hooper was right, and Paige will agree to be my partner. And, of course, that Renovation TV will pick our application. Which Madison and Xander will prepare for us, so it’ll be kickass.We’ll be picked. No other way around it.

By the hearth, my whittling paraphernalia calls out to me. Instead of designing a new bedframe to go with the side table, I choose a more relaxing pastime. One Mr. Hooper taught me back in high school. Picking up a block of wood and my knife, I decide to create a swan in homage to Paige, whose long neck reminded me of one.

Not to mention her easy smile, pert nose, and seductive eyes. Xander and Theo didn’t say I couldn’t look. No matter. Homer’s drilled into my very being that career comes before pleasure.

I place my knife on the wood, all the while my mind lingering on the gorgeous tomboy who holds my future in her hands.

She’ll say yes.She has to.

3

Paige

As I wait for the elevator to bring me up to the apartment, my gut churns. I bet Mum and Father will need a mediator following the judge’s ruling. The cab’s door opens and I’m greeted with the sound of glass breaking, accompanied by yelling. Things progressed faster than I imagined.

Straightening my shoulders, I enter the solarium and take in the scene. Shards adorn the floor in three different places. My parents stand across the room from each other, arms crossed, faces red. Both of their heads turn toward me.

“Paige,” Mum yells. “Did you hear the news?”

Seems like a safe question to answer. “I did.” My eyes stray to Father. “Got it over a Google Alert. Why didn’t you text me?” His fist slams down on the desk.Shit. He probably took my question as an accusation. I rush to add, “Not that you had to reach out to tell me.”

“So happy to hear I didn’t need your permission,” he sneers.

“Don’t use that tone of voice on our daughter.”

Great. Mum’s jumped into the brouhaha I caused. Better try to smooth this over. “The judge denied your motion to dismiss, so what happens next?” Wish I knew more about the law. Well, not really. The thought of going to law school makes my stomach revolt—way too much work. “Do you have to give a deposition?”

“I’m sure I will at some point.”

“You should volunteer,” Mum interjects. “Go first. Everyone knows that the first person to give evidence wins.”

“This isn’t a game, Ivy. There’s a lot more to it than Jeeves in the kitchen with a candlestick.”

His reference to one of my favorite games, Clue, would put a smile on my face under usual circumstances, but this is anything but normal. Mom picks up another vase, which I try to divert her from throwing. “Well, this will give you more chances to prove to the government how wrong they are. I don’t know what they’re looking for, but all you have to do is show them you’re on the up and up, and the case will go away.”

Mum lowers the vase to the table. One crisis averted.

Father replies, “Oh, to be that naïve. We did that in the motion to dismiss. The judge denied it, and his order made clear he’s on the government’s side. It doesn’t matter what we say, he’s going to rule for the prosecution. And if they find out about—” His lips clamp shut.

Mum raises the vase again. “Find out what, Ogden?”

“Fuck. Maybe I should turn myself in. That way I won’t be subjected to this type of inquisition all the time. Prison might be preferable.”

The vase hurls through the air.

---