Hired Hottie - Kelsie Rae Page 0,9
us back. Cleaning houses and nannying little kids in the neighborhood”—he winks, because I was that little kid—“didn’t provide great healthcare. We’ll figure it out, though.”
He doesn’t sound very convinced, and my heart aches for him and my second mom. After all, when yours dies before you turn three, it’s easy to turn to the next best thing––your nanny and next-door neighbor.
“That’s ridiculous. If they’re worried it’s cancerous and will probably take it out anyway, why would they make you pay for an MRI and a biopsy too?”
He sighs. “I don’t know the details, but I gotta get this job.”
Sucking my lips into my mouth, I grab a second chocolate croissant then shove it toward him. “This one’s for your mom. She needs a sweet treat.”
The jerky movement is enough to break the morose spell that had been cast on the bakery, and I’m grateful when he takes it without arguing.
“Thanks. You should come visit her one of these days.”
“I know, but I don’t want to bug her—”
“How could you say that?” he interrupts. “She practically raised you.”
“I know that, but—”
“No. Seriously. My mom would be disappointed if she thought you felt that way. Go see her. Maybe when you go get breakfast with your dad or something, okay?”
“Fine…if you insist,” I tease, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Chuckling, Levi picks up the chocolate croissant and shoves a giant bite into his mouth. Talking around the barely chewed croissant, he mumbles, “Good girl. See ya later.”
Chapter Four
Levi
“Gentlemen, if you’ll take a seat.” Mr. Morris, my boss, motions to a set of office chairs across from his desk. Glancing to my right, I see a very anxious Conner step forward. I do the same.
Once we’re both seated, Mr. Morris dives right in. “As you know, Montague Enterprises prides itself on being a professional environment as well as innovative and forward-thinking. Both of you have proven, time and time again, that you’re great candidates for a long-term position. Unfortunately, we’ll only have one opening available in the upcoming months, and once this internship is over, one of you will be let go.”
My jaw tightens as he continues.
“That being said, whoever ends up in the less than optimal position, you’ll be sent with a letter of recommendation signed by Mr. Truitt and myself. I have no doubt you’ll be able to find an opening with one of the other thriving companies in the area with ease. Now, unless either of you is willing to drop out, I’m going to be honest with you. It’s a tight competition. You’re both very qualified, and I’m confident that either of you would thrive if given the opportunity. We have an interesting pair of projects you’ll both be working on that require a great deal of research in the upcoming weeks. Once you’ve presented your data to a few key players here at Montague Enterprises, we’ll make a decision. As far as the project goes, we need you to look for––”
It takes everything inside of me to ignore the buzz in my ears and focus on Greg’s instructions.
Once he’s finished delving into the specifics, he stands from his chair. “That’ll be all, gentlemen. I look forward to seeing how you both apply yourselves.”
Dismissed, Conner and I exit Greg’s office then make our way to the break room.
“Shit, man,” Conner mumbles once we’re out of earshot. “I don’t know how I’m going to get all this done on top of my current workload.”
“Neither do I,” I admit before grabbing a black mug from the cupboard and filling it with some dark, rich coffee. It might be later in the afternoon, but I have a feeling I’m going to be here for a while, and I’ll need the caffeine.
It scalds my tongue as I suck down a quick gulp, but I don’t really care right now. There’s too much to do, and I can’t think through the cloud of discouragement that accompanied the previous conversation.
“I’m gonna get back to work. I’ll see ya later.” Conner slaps me on the back then leaves me alone with my shitty cup of coffee and the overwhelming fear that I won’t be able to take care of my mom if this falls through.
I can’t let her down.
“Hey, Mom!” I call from the doorway. I might have a key to my childhood home, but I know how much it freaks her out to hear someone in her house if she doesn’t know who it is.
“Levi?” her quiet voice echoes through the hall. I