Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I smile. “Thank you. Have fun with Blakely.”
He nods. “Have fun with your mom.” Guilt presses on my chest, but I maintain my smile and wave as if it’s not crushing me. Once he’s in his truck, I close the door and lock it. Why, I don’t know as he has a key, but I do it anyway.
Once I hear him pull out of the driveway, I rush to finish getting ready. On my way out the door, I call Kristy.
“Some of us get to sleep in on Saturdays,” she grumps.
“It’s eight thirty. That is sleeping in.”
“Ugh,” she groans, and I laugh. “Are you there yet?”
“No. I just left the house. But Sterling stopped by.”
“Did your man give you a quickie before your big interview to take care of your nerves?” She giggles.
“No. I almost caved and told him.”
“Good. You’ve been dancing around this for weeks.”
“I know. I have a plan, remember?”
“Meh, plans are like rules. They’re meant to be broken.”
“Not this one. It’s better this way.”
“If you say so. So did you at least tell him that you were interviewing?”
“No.”
“Alyssa!”
“I know. I will. I just… didn’t want him to talk me out of it.”
“Regardless, you’re lying to him. That’s not like you.”
“I know, all right. Fine. I’ll call him now and confess. It’ll be easier since I’m already on my way.”
“Coming clean is the right thing to do. Maybe you should go ahead and tell him you’re in love with him while you’re at it.”
“No. I’ll tell him about the interviews, but the other stuff, I’m sticking to the plan.”
“Fine. Can I go back to sleep?”
“Yes. Thanks for listening.”
“Always a friend. Kick ass and call me after.”
“Okay.” I laugh as she hangs up the phone, probably already halfway back to sleep.
I think about Sterling and how he stopped just to see me for a few minutes and to hug me. Lying to him about the interview is wrong. Tapping my steering wheel, I say, “Call Sterling.”
“Tink?”
“Hey. How’s breakfast?” I ask him.
“Didn’t go. Blakely woke up not feeling well, so we’re going to try another time. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m on the road. Listen, there’s something that I need to tell you, and you’re probably going to be mad.”
“Babe, I just saw you. What could have happened between now and then that could piss me off?”
“I’m not going to be with my mom all day. Just part of the day.”
“Okay?”
“I have two job interviews today.”
“Hell yes. Why would I be mad about that?” he asks.
“They’re both in Atlanta.”
Silence greets me.
“I’ve been applying for anything and everything that I’m qualified for, and I got two calls yesterday. They were both willing to meet with me today. I’m meeting my mom after for lunch and some shopping.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to talk me out of going.”
“Do you really think I would do that?”
“I know you won’t like me making an hour trip there and an hour back every day. I know that you’ll worry that I’ll leave Willow River and move to Atlanta to be closer to work.”
He’s quiet, and I bite down on my lip. I hear what sounds like a door closing. “I want you to be happy, Alyssa. I know how much your job weighs on you. I’m your person, baby. I want you to talk to me about these things. I’d never hold you back. I just want to be there for you.”
I love you. “Thank you.” I sniff, fighting back the tears.
“Tell me about these jobs?”
“Really?”
He chuckles. “Yes, really. I want to hear everything.”
“Okay. Well, one is for a salon that needs a receptionist. It’s huge. They have, I think she said, thirty stylists. They have two receptionists who take turns at the desk, swapping days, evenings, and every other Saturday. I don’t love the hours, but the lady on the phone was so nice I couldn’t say no, even if it’s just a stepping stone until I figure out my next step. The pay is the same, but with the drive, it would be a pay cut, but it would get me out of the environment that I’m in.”
“That’s true. Money isn’t everything. I know you need to make your bills, but being happy in your career is important. Do you think you’d like working in a salon?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m hoping being there today will give me a chance to get the vibe of the place.”
“Definitely survey your surroundings and see how nice the stylists seem to be. I’m sure you’ll get introduced to whoever is working today.”
“Yeah, I’d say you’re probably right. That’s a good idea. I don't want to trade one bad situation only to get into another one.”
“Exactly. What about the other one?”
“The other one is at a bank. I’d be a teller. To be honest, I’m not crazy about it, and the pay is something I’m concerned about. The woman who called me for an interview said we could discuss it during the interview. So it could be a waste of time, but at least I’ll know, you know?”