Macon by Olivia Stephen

Author:Olivia Stephen [Stephen, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

JULIE

The knock at the door announces Samantha’s arrival. She had called to tell me how much she missed Hattie and wanted to visit. Personally, I think she wants more information on the few hours I shared with Macon the day Hattie fell sick. I’ve been very vague in relaying the story to her, and I know she’s dying for more details. I explained we’d had a moment but agreed not to be involved in more than a professional relationship. I left out the part where Macon really didn’t agree with me.

“Hey, sis! Where’s my little Hattie-bug?” She greets me as she barges in to find her niece.

“I’m doing great, Sam. And how are you?” I quip as she flies past me to get to my baby girl.

“Oh, shut it. Now, where’s my girl?” Samantha spies Hattie playing with her foam-piece puzzles on her blanket on the floor. She’s putting together the one with all different sized circles. Not to brag, but at two years old, she’s really good at matching shapes.

Samantha kneels beside Hattie, giving her a huge hug and blowing raspberries on her neck, making her giggle out loud as Samantha falls to the floor, pulling Hattie with her. Both laughing and smiling. It’s a beautiful thing to see. I can’t help but think how much my grandmother would have loved Hattie. A bit of melancholy creeps in for a brief moment, but I don’t let it linger.

Without pause, Samantha looks over at me mid-giggle. “Okay, girl. Spill.”

I knew it. She’s going right in for the kill. She is so easy to read.

“Nothing to spill. We shared a moment, and I figured it was better not to let it go any further.”

“Ya figured, huh? Well, that’s boring.”

“Sam, you know I can’t afford to lose this job. I’m making more money than ever and finally getting ahead. I had plenty to pay for the car repairs without having to charge any of it. Can you see where pursuing anything with Macon could jeopardize my job?”

“I understand it to a degree. I do know some workplace romances work out, though. I mean, you’re both adults, right?”

“We’re not having this conversation. And I can’t believe you, of all people, are encouraging it. Miss I-need-to-stay-focused-on-my-career-goals.”

“Eh…the old me. Many moons ago,” she argues, waving her hands around. “I’ve got an entirely new outlook on life.” She snickers.

“I think Cole’s carefree attitude is rubbing off on you.”

“It is. And I kinda like it. Suits me better than I’d imagined it would. And for the record, it’s more than his attitude rubbing me,” she blurts out, waggling her eyebrows up and down.

“Too much information, dear sis.”

She ignores me and continues. “But for now, we’re talking about you. It may not be Macon, but it’s okay to be interested in a man, you know.”

“My interest lies in raising my daughter. With a full-time job, it’s difficult enough for both of us when I only have evenings with her. My time is limited as it is, so giving any of it up right now isn’t going to work for me.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.