I’ll be sending you an inventory of each of my books and you’ll be responsible for sending them out to readers—you know for giveaways and things like that. Eventually I’m going to set up an online store, but that’s a couple of months down the line. And hopefully something you’ll be able to help get up and running.”
“That sounds amazing!”
“Basically, you’ll do everything you would do if you were right here with me, except you’re doing it from your place.”
“This almost sounds too good to be true! Are you sure about this?”
“You are my first and only choice. You know the way I work and the way I like things to be done. Hell, you’ve lived with me so you probably know me better than I know myself!”
They were roommates in college and, yeah, Sydney knew everything about her.
Including how disorganized Mia was.
“I’m going to need a little time to get set up, but if you start by sending me a list of where we need to get started, I’ll look it over and give you a timeframe for when I can get it done. And…”
“Syd,” Mia interrupted. “Aren’t you forgetting one crucial thing?”
Frowning, she thought about it for a moment. “Um…I don’t think so.”
“Salary? Aren’t you the least bit interested in what I’ll be paying you? And what kind of hours are involved?”
“Oh, right!” She laughed. “Yeah, that would be important information to have. So, um…”
Mia laughed too before saying the hourly wage. “And we’re looking at around thirty hours a week.”
“Are you serious?” she cried. “How is that even possible?”
“Well, with everything going on with you, we haven’t had a chance to talk,” Mia said, “but…I just signed for another six books…”
“Oh, my God! That’s amazing! Congratulations!”
“And…my first book was just optioned—well, we’re already under contract—to be made into a movie! A real full-length motion picture! Can you believe it?”
She let out a happy little scream and even danced in place. “Mia, this is…oh my goodness…I can’t even believe it! This is everything you ever dreamed of!”
“It’s more than I ever could have imagined. So…yeah, I definitely need an assistant to help me keep my shit in order.”
“And I am the girl to make that happen!” And there she was, starting to cry again. “I don’t even know how to thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Mia was quiet for a long moment. “You have no idea how much I hate what you’re going through, and if I can do this and help you, then I am more than happy to do it. Hell, I wish I could do more.”
“You’re doing more than you even realize and I am so excited to get started.” The oven beeped and she let out a long breath. “I need to go. Lunch is ready. Email me what we need to get started and I promise to call you later after I’ve looked it all over.”
“Sounds good. And Syd?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. You’re a real lifesaver.”
She smiled. “Funny, that’s what I was about to call you.”
They hung up and her smile stayed in place and actually felt sincere for the first time in a month. She felt…hopeful.
Taking the pizzas from the oven, she divvied them up on two plates. She was about to put them on the kitchen table, but opted to change things up a bit.
Walking back into the living room, she put their plates on the coffee table and smiled down at her niece. “How about we picnic in here while watching TV?”
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely,” she said, smiling. “I know I couldn’t do it while grandma and grandpa were here, but back in Boston, I almost always ate in front of the TV. It would make your grandmother batty.” She shuddered dramatically and laughed—hoping her improved mood and outlook might help Haley’s too.
Leaning forward, Haley examined her pizza before looking up at Sydney. “Can I have a can of Coke with this?”
With a small laugh that was part snort, Sydney turned toward the kitchen. “Like there’s any other drink to have with pizza? Please.”
And for the first time in almost a month, her niece smiled. “Thanks, Aunt Syd.”
“Okay, I’ll get the drinks. You find us something to watch!”
It was so simple but…she felt like they were finally turning a corner.
2
On Monday morning, Kyle found himself standing in front of his first big job.
And seriously considered looking for a new one.
The house was in shambles. There was no other way to describe it. So far all he’d seen was the exterior