“What am I supposed to do?” I asked. “I’m guessing she isn’t going to take my calls.”
“Extreme problems require extreme measures,” he said. “Unless you want to watch your shiny, new business go up in smoke, you should probably get your ass in gear and do something that will make her give you a second chance.”
I blew out a breath. “Thanks. Seriously, thanks for being a straight shooter, even if it does piss me off.”
He laughed again. “I wouldn’t be any other way. Good luck and call if you need any advice.”
“I think I’ve had about as much of your advice as I can handle today.”
Chapter 29
Saige
I knew I should have been freaking out about not having a job. I wasn’t. It could be a little bit of shock. I quit my job and had nothing lined up. I was essentially a free woman. A free woman without a paycheck coming in and bills to pay.
I sipped my coffee and pushed away the negative thoughts. I was going to stay positive. This was something I could handle. I was going to give myself a couple of days before I started to plan for the future. I was going to give my attention to Jace. That was why I was doing this.
I flipped the pancake in the pan and spaced out. I wondered if he’d seen the letter yet. I felt horribly guilty about leaving my people to fend for themselves, but it had to be done. I had to think about Jace and my own mental health. The guy was going to drive me crazy. I had to get away from him. I couldn’t stop thinking about that day in his office. It was too much to be around him. I was worried it would happen again. I didn’t have the self-control needed to work with him day in and day out.
“Jace, come eat,” I said.
He came into the kitchen a moment later. “How come you’re not getting ready?” he asked.
“I will later,” I told him. “Joss and Caitlyn will be here in a minute. They’re going to have breakfast with us.”
Right on cue, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” he said and dashed out of the kitchen.
“You’re not dressed,” Joss said as she walked into the kitchen.
I looked down at my jeans and sweater. “I’m not naked.”
“You going for a casual day?”
I handed her a plate with two pancakes. “For Caitlyn.”
“Thank you.”
She quickly delivered the pancakes and got the kids busy eating before she came back into the kitchen. “When you texted and said you were making breakfast, I was thinking pop tarts.”
“I thought I’d make something a little more substantial.”
She nodded and folded her arms across her chest. “Do you want me to take over so you can get ready?”
“No.”
“Woman, you are being cagey! What is going on?”
To say it would make it real. “I have time to make breakfast,” I said without actually saying the words.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
“I’m fine.”
“You are obviously not fine. Something is going on. You were home early yesterday, and you aren’t rushing out the door today. Why? Did he fire you?” Her eyes flashed with anger. “If he fired you…”
“He didn’t fire me. I quit.”
Her eyes widened. She glanced over her shoulder to check on the kids. “You quit?” she whisper-shouted.
I nodded. “I did.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand. What happened?”
“I just couldn’t take it anymore. He is not a man I want to work for.”
She blew out a breath. “Wow. I don’t blame you, but now what?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you have another job lined up?”
I smiled. “No.”
“Saige! What are you going to do?”
“I’m not going to worry. I’ve got money in the bank. I’ve got some time before I have to panic. Right now, I’m focusing on Jace. It’s all about him and keeping him happy. I’m going to be around after school. Whatever he’s going through right now requires me to be officially on. I cannot screw this up. He needs me.”
“I can’t believe you did it.”
I put the next pancake on a plate and handed it to her. “I did it and I’m sure I’m going to freak out eventually, but not today. I’m going to enjoy today.”
“You know,” she said with a big smile, “it’s a half-day today. We could do something fun to celebrate.”
I’d totally spaced on the half-day. “That sounds amazing. I would love to. What are you thinking?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe the children’s museum or the zoo.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I love that I can do this in the middle of the week. The crowds will be much smaller.”
“Yep, welcome to the dark side of the unemployed.” She laughed.
“You’re not unemployed,” I said.
“No, but I only see a couple of clients a day,” she said.
“I’m just a little jealous you can make the living you do and only work a few hours a day,” I complained.
She flashed a smile. “I am lucky.”
“Let’s do it. Should I pick them up?”
“Yes, sounds good. It’s going to be fun having you around more,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited to make cookies and finally do some of those little jobs that have been piling up.”
She gave me a hug. “Congratulations. This is going to be good for you, I think. At least for a month or two.”
“I know. I’m going to figure something out, but I’ve told myself I’m not worried about any of that right now. I’m keeping my focus on him.”
“Good for you. Let me know if I can help with anything.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m going to be helping you. I’m going to be able to help out.”
“Relax a bit,” she said. “I don’t mind taking them to school.”
“Thank you,” I told her. “Really, thank you so much for all you do for me.”
She patted my shoulder. “I don’t mind.” She turned to the kids. “Let’s roll, guys. We’re going to have a fun day today.”
I gave Jace a hug. “I’ll see you after school. We’re going to go and do something fun this afternoon.”
He looked confused. “We are?”
“We are,” I said with a big smile. “Have fun.”
After they were gone, I spent some extra time cleaning up. I had my music playing and got into the housework. It was nice to know I had time to do it. I could get some of the deep cleaning done that had been neglected for a long time.
When it was time to pick up the kids, I was certain I was more excited than they were. We decided to go to the children’s museum, saving the zoo for another day. I was looking forward to lots of days just like this. I’d pick him up from school and we’d go do something fun.
“How come you’re not at work?” Jace asked as we walked past an electricity display.