Page 30 of Whispers and Wildfire
“That’s amazing.” Marigold turned to Audrey and Harper. “Melanie was so good at theater. She always got the lead. Do you still do theater, or just the voice acting?”
“I did theater for a while, but I transitioned to voice acting.”
“I love that,” Annika said. “What’s the cartoon series?”
“It’s calledEnchanted Hollow.”
Annika’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding. My kids are obsessed with that show. Who do you play?”
I cleared my throat and continued in my Queen Ione voice. “The magnificent, illustrious Queen Ione.”
Annika gasped. “No. Way. She’s the best part.”
“Aw, thank you,” I said in my natural voice. “It’s a great role. Unfortunately, there’s been a hiatus between seasons, and with the whole broke-after-divorce thing, I’m looking for a temporary job. Speaking of, are any of you hiring?”
They all shook their heads.
“Well…” Annika paused. “Okay, don’t say no.”
“That makes me want to instantly say no.”
“I know, I know. But hear me out. Luke’s front desk person is on maternity leave, and he needs someone to cover for her until she comes back.”
“You can’t possibly be suggesting what I think you’re suggesting.”
“Why not?”
“Because we can’t be twenty feet from each other without fighting. But you think we should work together?”
“It’s not as out there as it sounds. I used to work for him, and he’s always busy in the garage. You’d hardly see him.”
I eyed her with skepticism.
“You need a temporary job,” she continued, “and he needs a temporary employee. It’s a win-win.”
“Until we kill each other.”
She laughed. “I don’t think you’ll kill each other. Like you said, you dated a million years ago. I’m sure you could at least tolerate each other.”
It sounded so reasonable whenshesaid it. It had been a long time, and it wasn’t like we still had feelings for each other.
Okay, so we did have feelings—fiery ones—but they weren’t romantic.
Maybe it could be like a type of exposure therapy. If we were forced to interact and be on our best behavior, we’d move past whatever seemed to rile us up.
“I don’t know. I’m sure I could do it, but I don’t know about him.” I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “Yeah, I’m not sure I could do it either. But you do have a small point about my need for a job. Although I highly doubt he’ll go for it.”
“He might.” She shrugged. “I’ll talk to him.”
I gave her my number so she could get in touch aftertalking to Luke and we could make plans to hang out again. Despite my less-than-charitable feelings for her brother, I liked Annika. I always had. And I was glad my status as her brother’s ex-girlfriend didn’t appear to preclude a friendship.
Work for Luke Haven? That had to be a terrible idea. So why was I considering it? I was a little bit desperate for a job, and something temporary was proving hard to come by. But was I desperate enough to subject myself to hours ofhimevery day?
Living in the same town was one thing. Working together was quite another.
Maybe he’d be the one to say no.
That got my hackles up, and it was only theoretical. But what if he did say no? I knew myself well enough to know I’d be insulted. I could feel my propensity for being dramatic bubbling to the surface. How dare he not give me a chance?
