Jake's Biggest Risk (Those Hollister Boys) (28 page)

“But that’s not the best part.”

Her brother’s news had already sent a shock wave through Bree, and she braced herself for whatever was coming next.

Gil’s smile broadened, and his eyes darted between her and her mom. “He’s offered me the manager/trainer position.”

“Will you...” Bree’s throat closed, and she paused to get some air. “Will you be hiring?”

“Why?” Gil grinned around the dinner roll at his lips. “You thinking of leaving that hoity-toity club that Langston sucked you into?”

“Maybe.” Bree shrugged.

Gil placed the uneaten roll back on his plate and looked hard at her. Through her, actually. “You’re serious. What gives?”

Her mom set her fork down and clasped her hands on the table by her plate, turning her full attention to Bree. “You’ve been quiet all evening.” She reached out, her warm hand enveloping Bree’s cold one. “I thought it was the anniversary that was making you melancholy. But it’s something else.”

Bree nodded. “I got fired yesterday.”

Mom and Gil both straightened in their seats.

“What in the hell happened?”

Her mom shot a look at Gil. “Watch your manners, Gilbert.”

Gil shrugged. “Sorry. What in the hell happened...Brianna?”

For her mom’s sake, Bree decided on the G-rated version. “I broke up with Todd. He got mad and pulled the entire athletic account.”

Gil gave a low whistle. “Whew! That’s a huge chunk of business to lose.”

Bree nodded in agreement.

“But that’s what you get for messing around with clients.” There was Dad’s tone again.

“We weren’t ‘messing around.’ We were dating,” Bree snapped.

“Call it what you want. It’s suicide in the business world.”

“Believe me, if I’d ever thought—”

“That’s your problem, Bree. You don’t think.”

Mom slapped her hand on the table. “Stop bickering, you two.” She sighed, and her angry glare softened. “Don’t you see? ‘Everything happens for a reason.’ Isaiah told us that all the time.” Her chin quivered as her eyes traveled back and forth, giving each child equal time. “You think it’s just a coincidence that we have a prospect on the building? And that prospect wants to hire you, Gil? And you, Bree, just happen to be looking for a job?” She smiled, and a tear traced its way down her cheek. “And all this just happened to come to pass on the anniversary of your father’s death? I’m telling you, kids, this is your dad watching over us.”

Her mom’s sentiments were sweet, but Bree didn’t feel the same comfort from the words. Hopefully, Dad was
not
somewhere watching her indiscretions. That would be...
ewww!
She shuddered.

Her mom gave a long, contented sigh, and then stood. “Y’all just stay here. I’ll go dish us up dessert.”

“None for me, Mom,” Bree reminded her.

“Yes, I know, dear.” Mom patted her on the back when she passed behind her on the way into the kitchen.

When she was out of earshot, Gil leaned across the table. “Mom’s right. Everything
does
happen for a reason. And the reason you got fired is because you were sleeping with a client.”

Bree was in no mood to be lectured. “Drop it, Gil,” she said, knowing he would have the last word—like always.

True to form, he stuck his finger in her direction. “I’ll tell you one thing. This opportunity
might
pan out for us both. But, if it does, you have to promise me never to get involved with another client.”

“I’m good on the control stuff, Gil.” Bree pointed to her plate as evidence of that fact.
“And I’ve learned from my mistakes. No man’s worth risking my career.”

“Keep reminding yourself, will you?”

“No need.” Bree leaned back and snatched a tangerine from the bowl on the buffet. “The mantra is etched on my frontal lobe.”

She would never be that stupid again.

Copyright © 2014 by Pamela Hearon Hodges

ISBN-13: 9781460341087

Jake’s Biggest Risk

Copyright © 2014 by Julianna Morris

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