The Price of Inertia (The Seven Sins #4) - Lily Zante Page 0,5

cheated on you, and now he’s a …” He shakes his head, and I can tell he wants to swear.

“I fell in love,” I say, putting the chocolate wrapper in my pocket now that I’ve gobbled it all up greedily. I was in love. I am reckless, perhaps. I give my heart too easily, without thinking. I don’t second guess when my insides go all mushy, or when someone kisses me and my toes curl. I’m not a hussy, but I can’t not react at times like this. And Dale was so handsome and lovely in the beginning.

“Who’s it with?” he asks. “The interview tomorrow? A family, with kids?”

“I think it’s a guy. A businessman.” That’s what the recruitment consultant told me. She said it was a new job placement that came up and they didn’t have many details about it yet. I look at him and widen my eyes, exaggerating my very-scared face. “A perv, you think?”

Now Jamie looks worried. “I’ll come with you, if you want.”

“To the interview? How stupid would that look?”

“The offers there if you want.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m a grown woman. It’s just an interview. Oh, my goodness!” I squint at the paper with his address, as it hits me. “He lives in the Gold Coast area.”

Jamie’s eyes widen.

The famed Gold Coast is one of Chicago’s most prestigious areas. Suddenly, my woes have evaporated and I feel suddenly uplifted. In the nightmare of my week, this new revelation is as shiny as a diamond. But Jamie stares at me as if there’s an axe murderer standing behind me. “Maybe you shouldn’t go alone.”

“I’m going, and I’ll call you before I go in, and as soon as I come out, okay?”

“Deal.”

A red football bounces towards us. I look over to see a bunch of teens yell at us to kick it back so I get up and give the ball a hefty kick. Too bad it shoots off in the wrong direction, about five yards wide of where the guys are.

“And remember, you have a lot going on at the moment. Don’t worry about finding a place to stay. You can stay with me for as long as you want.”

“Awww.” I squeeze his arm slightly. “You’re very sweet.”

“Just trying to help you out,” he mumbles, before moving his arm and looking away.

Now I’ve upset him. This is a strange thing. Me and him being such good friends. He’s not been lucky with women either, though as far as I know no one has cheated on him. We went out as a foursome once last year, and I met his girlfriend, but they split up a few months ago and he never really gave me a reason why.

Me sleeping on his couch might raise eyebrows with some of my friends, or even my mom, depending on what sort of mood she’s in and if she remembers who I am, but it’s the only way my life works right now.

“I worry about you,” says Jamie, staring at me pensively.

“Awww, stop that. You have plenty of worries of your own without adding me to the list.”

Chapter 3

MARI

I stare at the fancy four storey house and I pray that I get the job. I pay the taxi driver and climb out with my mouth open in awe. It’s got one of those limestone facades, cream colored brickwork, and shiny, sparkling expensive looking windows. I catch a glimpse of a chandelier sparkling from one of the ground floor windows.

My whole world has completely topsy-turvied, from having to leave my tiny apartment, to walking in to this glamorous new world.

I could work here for a few months.

I could be a housekeeper.

I ring the doorbell, my heart thumping as if I’ve sprinted the last mile. I’m not a nervous woman. I’m used to dealing with difficult customers, people who are rich, and feel entitled. While being a housekeeper isn’t something I’ve aspired to, this job is going to be a cinch. Though I won’t tell any of my friends, apart from Jamie, about it.

The door opens and a friendly looking older gentleman opens the door. The skin around his eyes crinkles as he gives me a warm, friendly smile. I feel relieved because he looks normal and nothing like the axe-murderer my imagination had served up.

“Hi.” I smile back and extend my hand. “Nice to meet you,” I say, putting on my best voice. I’m always professional, but a glance at the mansion and now seeing what it looks like inside, makes me