Page 92 of Just One Night Together
Haley winced. Her mom was too perceptive. “It’s winter. With less sunshine and more people grumpy about the weather, it’s easy to feel less than happy all the time.”
“True enough.” Her mom’s tone became crisp. “So, here’s the thing. They posted the details about that new position and I wanted to make sure you knew about it.”
“Mom, you know I’m not going to leave New York.”
“Why not? You always said you’d move wherever you found the best opportunity and this is a great one.” Her mom cleared her throat. “If your career is first, then you can’t overlook this chance.”
“True.” The cat finished his meal, cleaned his dish and sniffed at the can of tuna. He sat down and curled his tail around himself, then gave her an expectant look. Haley propped the phone against her shoulder and put the rest of the tuna in his bowl. The tip of his tail flicked as she did it, and it seemed that his eye glowed with satisfaction.
Apparently, big dark brooding males could convince her to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.
“This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss,” her mom continued. Haley wasn’t really listening. She was watching the cat. How long had it been since someone pampered him? His coat was beautifully black but it didn’t have as much of a sheen as she thought it should. She’d felt his ribs the one time he’d let her pat him, too.
Well, she was going to take care of him now.
She could almost hear Damon saying that she was making the cat a new project. She liked projects. Maybe she did need one.
Maybe the cat would have to do.
“Wait. Let me read from the memo.” Her mom cleared her throat, then named the hospital where she worked. “‘We are seeking a candidate to lead a revolutionary new program to explore alternative healing options and implement them in our facility.’” Haley blinked and started to listen more intently as her mom continued. “‘The successful candidate will have a solid understanding of such therapeutic options as well as experience in supplementing patient care with such strategies. The successful candidate will be expected to build a team and to operate independently of specific departments in the hospital, creating programs to benefit all patients and consulting to all departments in our facility.’ And then there’s a list of credentials that sounds like your résumé, Haley.”
“Wow,” Haley said, because her mom expected it and because it was true. “That sounds like a dream job.”
“Listen to the compensation,” her mom said, then read some more.
Haley straightened. She’d be able to buy a house herself on a salary like that, at least in a small town in Illinois. “Huh,” she said, not wanting to show too much enthusiasm.
Was it time to move?
“It’s perfect for you and it’s right here in town. You could move back here and we could see each other all the time.”
“Is that supposed to be a good thing or not?” Haley teased and her mom laughed.
“That’s what Brad said!”
They laughed together.
“It sounds amazing, Mom.”
“They could have written this memo with you in mind, dear.”
Haley could hear that her mom was bursting to ask if she’d apply. She bit her lip. What was holding her in New York? Not a whole lot. “I have the cat now,” she said, while she was thinking.
“So you said. He looks grumpy.”
“He is, pretty much.”
Her mom chuckled. “If anyone is going to turn him into a purring pussycat, it’ll be you.”
“So far, he’s not big on being touched, but we’re still getting used to each other.”
“You’ll wear him down, Haley. You always triumph.”
Haley stopped herself before she could confess anything about Damon. She thought of the service for his mom and decided that she wasn’t going to go unless he specifically invited her.
Maybe taking a chance with Damon had just been enough to show her what she was missing—or what she was denying herself by always playing it safe.
Maybe her mom was right and it was time for a fresh start. Haley wasn’t sure, but she was ready to take another chance.
