Page 13 of Getting Down to Business

That was true. There was hardly enough room for one person let alone two.

“Okay. I guess I’ll work it out,” Alyssa said with a sigh and fell back against her pillow on the love seat.

The next morning, she was determined to do something. She waited the hour after her supervisor came in to approach her about the possibility of a raise or overtime.

“As you know I have a degree in business. Would it be possible for me to take on a client instead of just doing clerical work?”

“You knew when we hired you that you would have to work your way up.”

“Yes. I understand that. I have no problem with that. Except I’ve been here for almost two years and I haven’t moved anywhere at all.”

“It takes time. We don’t have any openings at the moment. I’ll keep you in mind when the next one comes available.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Alyssa took a deep breath and went back to her desk, defeated.

On Wednesday, she finally sent the email to her mother about the possibility of moving back home.

There was no answer.

Thursday she sent another email and a text telling her mother to look at her emails.

No answer.

Friday afternoon she finally received an email:

Hi Sweetie,

I’m sorry you are having trouble in New York. Of course you can come home if you need to. It just breaks my heart to see you giving up on what you wanted. How much money do you need? Maybe I can help a little.

Love, Mom

“Ah, shit,” Alyssa said while rubbing her forehead. It might have been better if her mother had told Alyssa she couldn’t move home instead of offering to help when she wasn’t in a position to do so. The guilt was worse than being homeless.

“You know what you need?” Mia said when she stopped by Alyssa’s desk. “You need another serving of that guy you had last week when you came in here all smiling on a Thursday.”

“No.” Alyssa shook her head.

“He took the stress away for a good day and a half,” Mia added while Freddie nodded in agreement.

“Everything looks better with a hot guy lying next to you,” he purred.

Alyssa shook her head again and the friendly advice dispersed, but it was too late. Alyssa was already thinking about Grayson Hollinger.

The next morning, Freddie was waiting when she came in.

“You are going to name your first born after me,” he said holding up a sticky note.

“What have you done?”

“I’ve set up an appointment for you to see a room in an apartment close by.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. The place sounds perfect. You’d have a roommate, but you’d also have your own room so even if he is a dick, you can stay away from him.”

“A guy?” Alyssa’s brows creased. “What is this guy’s name?”