Page 83 of Security and Submission
“I’ll be in my office,” Yasmine told Veronica, holding up her phone. “I’ve got to take this.” She frowned at her office manager again, who was still bright pink although diligently focused on her computer. “Seriously, Veronica, if you’re not feeling well, you can go home.”
“I’m fine, but thank you.” Veronica was staring so hard at her computer screen, it was a wonder she didn’t burn a hole through it.
Well, Yasmine would have to check on her a little later. If she was still looking off, Yasmine was going to send her home, even if Veronica protested. Sometimes, Veronica could take her position and responsibilities a little too seriously. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d come to work with a cold and ended up making herself worse because she didn’t want to let Yasmine and Amara down.
Swiping to accept the call, Yasmine put the phone to her ear as she headed to her own office.
“Good morning, Grace.”
Please don’t have bad news, please don’t have bad news.
“Good morning, dear!” Grace’s chipper tone immediately calmed Yasmine’s fears. If something had happened to Sarah or Hope, there was no way Grace would be so cheerful. “I just got off the phone with Sarah, and I felt the need to immediately call you and thank you again.”
A rush of warmth went through Yasmine.
“Oh, well, that’s appreciated, though you didn’t have to.”
“I absolutely did. You should not hide your light under a bush, Yasmine. You went above and beyond, and you deserve the credit for that. Especially because Sarah told me that you’ve gone even further beyond, and you and her neighbor are paying for Hope’s surgery.”
“I… well, yes, that’s true. It’s no hardship for us, though.”
“Just because it isn’t hard doesn’t mean it’s easy. And even if it’s easy, that still doesn’t mean it’s something you shouldn’t be recognized for.” Grace’s voice had taken on a bit more of a scolding tone now.
“Okay, okay, I see your point,” Yasmine conceded, laughing. She was often the first of her friends to tell them they shouldn’t be overly humble. They needed to own their accomplishments. This might not be an accomplishment, but it was a good deed, and she should recognize that. “I am happy to help. Hope deserves a long, wonderful future with Sarah.”
“She does. I’m going to be coming up later this week to help Sarah with her and Hope’s recovery, but I also wanted to let you know that I’d like to contribute to Hope’s surgery as well.”
“I certainly won’t say no to that,” Yasmine said. “Did you have an amount in mind?”
By the time she got off the phone with Grace, they’d ended up agreeing to split the cost three ways. She didn’t think Zeus would object to her including Grace in Operation Save Hope. Not that they’d discussed a name for it, but that was what popped into her head while she was talking to Grace about it.
Yasmine wouldn’t say it was a lonely day at the office exactly, but she definitely missed Hope’s presence. When Zeus texted her around lunchtime with a picture of Hope and Tiger, obviously on a walk together with him, she both grinned and felt a little pang in her heart.
Yasmine
They look good together! How’s Sarah doing?
Zeus
Trying to do too much already, which is why I made sure to have my dog walker take Hope as well.
Oh, so it wasn’t Zeus walking them. That shouldn’t make a difference, but for some reason, she did feel a little better.
Yasmine
That was sweet of you.
Speaking of sweet, I just talked to Sarah’s friend, Grace. She’s coming on Friday to help Sarah and Hope through the weekend and next week, but she also wanted to help pay for Hope’s surgery.
I figured you wouldn’t mind splitting it three ways.
Zeus
Not at all. I’ll use my savings to buy Hope the biggest stuffed animal I can find.
She couldn’t help but laugh. That sounded exactly like something he would do.
Yasmine
