Chapter Eleven
Maddie
Cat satcross-legged listening to my story, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. I had to admit that what I'd told her was pretty amazing. I'd gone to DeVille Staffing to get a job, and in less than a week, I'd found everything I could ever want in the world.
"So what are you doing here hanging out with me? Why aren't you at that gorgeous house with the man of your dreams?" she asked with a silly smile.
"Because he has to work and I went to see the man who runs the staffing agency this morning to tell him that I wasn't going to be able to work for him anymore. I figured I'd stop over and see you while I was in the city."
She made a funny face and pursed her lips. "Maybe I should sign up for a temp job with this DeVille Staffing place. I'd like a man of my dreams all of my own too."
"That's not what he does, Cat. This whole thing with Eric is a total coincidence. I guess it was just meant to be."
Standing up, she walked into the kitchen to pour us both a drink. As she handed me my glass, she said, "I guess, but it's a pretty incredible coincidence. So what are you going to do now?"
"Well, Mr. DeVille told me he had some business to finish up on my file, so I have to go back to see him in about an hour and probably sign some papers. Then I'm going to go back to the house and when Eric comes home, I'm going to tell him I'm not longer with the agency and just hope he still feels the same way about me as he said he did last night."
"Hope?" Cat asked like I said something bizarre. "From what you told me, he's crazy about you. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"Just in case I do, I took all my things out of the house when I left this morning. I want a clean slate. If it doesn’t work, I'll be back to searching. Have you found anything yet?" I asked, quietly terrified that I'd have to do just that and start over.
Without Eric.
"No, but I'm still hoping."
I knew I was taking a chance quitting my work with the DeVille agency, but something told me I'd be okay. If worst came to worst, there were always lots of waitressing jobs out there in the world and I'd just get one of them. Maybe my roommate would let me slide on the full rent for a while. Or maybe I could move in with Cat.
Replacing Eric in my life wouldn't be anywhere as easy, but I didn't think I'd have to. True, we'd moved at warp speed in our relationship, but I'd heard of stranger things happening.
When it was right, nothing else mattered. At least I hoped that was true.
"Well, you got the dream guy to go back to, so you better get going," Cat said.
I couldn't help but smile when I thought about that very idea. I'd met a great guy who owned his own business and a gorgeous house, and he was crazy about me. It's all I'd ever dreamed of, and now all those dreams were coming true.
"Well, I hope you're right. I have to meet Mr. DeVille soon. I want to get together with you, Tia, and Emma this week. I'll call you so we can set things up."
I stood up to leave and Cat hugged me tightly to her. "I'm so happy for you, Maddie. Take care of yourself."
Leaning away from her, I smiled at my friend who always supported me from the day I met her right after getting to the city. I hadn't reached many of my goals yet, but I had found someone to love, and that was the most important goal of them all.
"I will, and you take care of yourself too. Be good."
Cat grinned wickedly. "I'll be careful, but I can't promise I'll be good."
I rolled my eyes. "Then be careful. I'll talk to you in a few days and we'll make plans. Tell Tia and Emma I said hello."
"It's a date."
My phone rang just as I got down to the street, and I saw it was the owner of the staffing agency. "Hi, Mr. DeVille. I'm on my way to your office right now. I should be there in no more than twenty minutes.”
“No need, Maddie. I got everything straightened out, so you don’t have to return to the office today. I’m always sorry to lose an employee, but I wish you luck in your future.”
“Thank you, Mr. DeVille. I appreciate that. And thank you for being the person who introduced me to Eric Pierce. You don’t know how much help you’ve been.”
He chuckled. “Oh, I’m happy to help. It’s what I do, after all. We here at DeVille Staffing are so pleased things worked out for you. Good luck, Maddie.”
“Thanks!”