Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,6

can’t help the warm feeling invading my chest. “Is it too much if I give you a hug?”

He glances back at the computer screen, obviously uncomfortable with my appreciation. “Quinn is the jealous type. You wouldn’t want to show up to work on your first day with a black eye, would you?” His gaze stays fixed on the screen in front of him.

“Again, thank you, Jagger. I’m not sure that’s even enough.”

“Hannah’s going to be light on you. Don’t slack on the job. I’ll be checking in.” Without ever looking away from his computer, he continues his day as I stare down at the man I once loathed as a boss.

Sometimes the most beautiful people come with a few sharp edges.

Chapter Four

“My girls!” my mom swings her front door open and holds out both of her hands.

Jade runs to her while trying to secure her backpack on.

“Don’t worry, I got it all!” I yell ahead, but they’re lost in each other’s arms already.

I watch them embrace. My mom hasn’t seen Jade nearly as much as she wanted to over the years.

Then I realize my legs are circled by suitcases.

“Thanks.” I turn to the taxi driver and hand him the money.

“Jade come roll yours,” I call, and she holds up her finger to my mom and runs back down the walkway.

“Everything’s so dark here,” she whispers when she reaches me. “Where’s the sun?”

I chuckle, grabbing two suitcases. “You’ll see it in May.”

“But it’s April next week.”

“I’m kidding, Jade. It’s dreary today that’s all.” I nod toward my mom. “Go to Grandma.”

Jade walks up the path while I take in the neighborhood I grew up in. The street is the same. A few of the older multi-family homes on the block have been torn down and high priced single family homes with brick exteriors and black rod iron fences erected in their place.

“I know what you’re going to say. And you’re right. Pretentious, but they’re good neighbors,” my mom says as I reach her.

“They’re nice,” I comment. As I enter in one of the last Chicago bungalows on our block, I wonder how long before someone comes knocking on my mom’s door to try and buy it out from under her.

“That they are.”

“Are there any families? Kids for Jade to play with?”

She shoots me her you should know better look. “It’s the city dear. No one is playing hopscotch on the sidewalks or riding their bike down to Irving Park.”

I guess times are different than when I was a kid.

“I took that check you sent me down to St. Pat’s Catholic School yesterday. Made sure to double check with the secretary and she’s all set for Monday.”

“Great. Thank you, Mom.”

We walk into the house and instantly the smell of home wraps around me like a parka during a Chicago winter. Everything is the same as it was when I was here last, minus the snow thank goodness.

Jade throws her coat on the couch and runs down the hall. “Which bedroom is mine?” she screams.

“Your mom’s old room,” my mom calls down the hall.

I sit down on a chair in the living room, abandoning my own luggage by the front door.

“Do you want a drink or something to eat?” my mom asks.

“No, I just want to sit down for a second.”

“You sat for six hours on the plane,” she deadpans.

“Take a seven-year-old through two airports and tell me you aren’t bone tired after you’re done.”

Thankfully, Jade is a very helpful and mature seven-year-old, but I kind of wish I would’ve taken Pete up on his offer to escort us to Chicago. But part of leaving Los Angeles was to have a clean slate and I couldn’t do that with my ex footing the bill and helping me the entire way.

“She’s an angel compared to you at that age.” My mom tips her head and peers down at me.

“Why thanks, Mom.” I’m surprised when she doesn’t smack me on the back of the head over my sarcastic tone.

She sits down on the couch, her feet propped up on the coffee table. “When do you start?”

“I have to go in on Friday just to meet Hannah and the marketing manager and get acquainted. It will be quick and then I start on Monday.”

“I’ll take care of Jade. We have some catching up to do anyway. I can pick her up from school, too.”

“Mom. I didn’t move here so you could be Jade’s babysitter.”

“If you thought it was so you could be my babysitter, you’re wrong.