“Mom!” I gasped a choking laugh.

“I’m just saying. I wouldn’t mind being the American grandmother who spoils her rotten. I’m ready.”

“She’ll be lucky to have you.”

“She’ll be lucky to have you, Josephine.”

A strange whining sound came from my chest and throat as I fought back more crying. I tried to purse my lips and blow like I was blowing into a paper bag. “Whoo.”

“What else is it?”

“Well, you know he’s like really well known in France. If I do this … people are going to want to know who I am. Who my family is. And I’m worried.”

There was a pause. “For who?”

“You. Mostly you. Me. Maybe even Xavier. I don’t know.”

“Well, don’t worry about me. One good thing I’ve accomplished is growing a thicker skin. But you know, darling, Nicolas has taken so much from us already. Don’t let him take this from you too. You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be happy. I know you are.”

“I’m a fucking mess, is what I am.”

“Josephine!”

“Sorry, Ma.” I laughed then, feeling as though something inside my chest had broken free. “Thank you.”

We said our goodbyes, and I tilted my head up to the sun, willing it to fade the mess my face must look like.

I walked back to work and ducked into the bathroom to wash my face and reapply my makeup with my small emergency kit. The mascara was two years old and caked, but the concealer and lip gloss were adequate. After I saw my girls, I would have to maybe run home for a shower and proper touch up before seeing Xavier.

At five thirty p.m. I’d never been more ready for girl’s night. I was approaching the King Street Tavern when my phone rang. Donovan & Tate. I frowned. Barbara must need to cancel, and frankly with everything that had happened today, I could totally wait on hearing the latest news on what had happened to the deal on East Bay Street.

“Hey, Barb,” I answered.

There was silence. And then, “This is Ravenel Tate. Is this Josie Marin?”

I swallowed. “It is.”

“Right. Okay. Well, I’ll get right to it. Uh. I was wondering if I could, um, possibly, uh…”

My eyes widened, my eyebrows rising, and my steps slowing. “Yes?”

“Well, uh, the thing is, we, Jason, and of course Donovan, and I, definitely me, well, we were wondering if we could offer you your old job back.”

I came to a complete stop. “Excuse me?”

“We wanted to know if you wanted your old, no, I’m sorry, we wanted to know if you would, if we could perhaps offer you a job here again at the position of Senior Associate.”