The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(47)

Margot held up one finger. “No. You’re a beautiful, vibrant woman with a rockin’ hot body. There’s a difference.”

Bianca laughed. “Thank you. Okay, let’s get started. Last night with the soup, I wasn’t thinking. I really did just want to get it for Connor, but when I picked it up, it was really heavy and then I didn’t know what to do.”

“What could you have done?”

Bianca sighed. “I could have asked for help.”

“Yes. You could have. So why was it so important to impress Connor? You were really focused on him from the beginning.”

“I love kids.”

Margot waited.

“What?” Bianca groaned. “You’re a nightmare.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Fine.” Bianca got up and paced the length of the room. When she reached the fireplace, she looked back at Margot. “I’m good with kids. They always like me. I guess I was nervous, so I knew being with Connor was safe and then I got too focused on him and it spiraled out of control.” She shrugged. “I told Edna I’m sorry about the soup.”

“I’m sure she appreciated that. Why were you nervous? It was a small group of people and you knew most of us.”

“Because the whole evening was about waiting for me to fail. I felt like a performing bear and when I screwed up you were all going to know and laugh at me.”

Margot stiffened as the truth of her words sank in. She stood. “Oh no. Bianca, I’m so sorry. You’re right—that’s exactly what it was. Not us laughing, because that wasn’t going to happen, but of course you felt on display. That was wrong of me. I apologize. What a horrible evening for you.”

Bianca blinked. “You’re apologizing to me?”

“Of course. I handled the evening all wrong. I was trying to keep the numbers small so there was less stress on you but everyone knew what we were doing and you were the subject of the lesson. Of course you felt as if you were being judged by everyone. Connor was your only safe person, wasn’t he? I totally messed up and I’m so very sorry.”

Bianca giggled. “Wow. That was a really good apology. You should give lessons. I’m not upset anymore. In fact, I just want to give you a hug and tell you everything will be fine.”

“I’m more concerned about whether or not you still trust me to help you.”

Bianca’s eyes filled with tears again. She crossed to Margot and held her tight. “Honestly, there’s no one I would trust more.”

“Thank you.”

Bianca’s expression turned sly. “Hmm, so you owe me now. I’m going to have to think of how I want to take advantage of that. Maybe we should have your sister over and we’ll do a girls’ spa day or something.”

Margot hesitated, thinking she didn’t want to drag Sunshine into this. “Or we could keep working together to achieve our ultimate goal.”

“You’re no fun, but all right. Let’s get started.”

Margot was still processing her giant blunder. She needed some time to regroup. “If you don’t mind, I need a couple of hours to rethink the plan. Can we meet after lunch?”

“Sure. It’s cold and foggy outside, so I think I’ll just stay in my room and watch a movie. Maybe Raiders of the Lost Ark. I was up for Karen Allen’s part—did you know that? I think I would have been good in that movie and Harrison Ford was so yummy. Oh well. I’ll see you after lunch.”

With that she walked out of the room, leaving Margot behind wondering how on earth she could have screwed up so badly at something she was supposed to be good at.



Chapter Twelve


Sunshine waited until Connor had gone to bed before knocking on the open door of Declan’s study. He looked up from his computer, smiled and waved her in.

“How’s it going?” he asked as she took a seat by his desk. “Please don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts about the ant farm. Connor loves that thing.”

“I have no problem with the ants except possibly the fact that they’re so industrious, I sometimes feel like a slacker by comparison.”

“I know that one. How’s school?”

“Still awkward and difficult.” She was going to the lectures and doing her homework and falling a little more behind each day. “There’s a TA session soon. If that doesn’t help me enough, I guess I’ll go to the math lab.”

“Want me to look over your chapters and see if I can help?”

“Thanks, but I’ll deal with it.”

She in no way wanted her boss figuring out she was a complete idiot. She adored Connor and really wanted to keep her job here. She was comfortable in her surroundings. She felt safe and happy and knew she was making a difference.

“The offer still stands,” he told her.

“I appreciate that.” She thought about the reason for her visit. “So, this is a little awkward, but I met the mother of one of Connor’s friends. Elijah’s mom. Her name is Phoebe, she’s divorced and really funny and nice, and well, I think you’d like her.”

Declan stared at her, his expression completely blank. “Excuse me?”

“I thought you might like to meet her and maybe go out with her. Because the other day you were talking about—”