That wasn’t true. Shedidcare because she wanted—no, sheneededthis job. It was the foundation on which her dreams, her entire future rested.
“But your degree is in Biology,” he pointed out. “Youbelongin health.”
Score one for Dan. She didn’t relish the idea of working in the clerk and recorder’s office or getting a law degree to become part of the court system.
“Hailey, you’re a valuable member of our team, and we don’t want to lose you. We’re trying tohelpyou.” His mouth curved into a sympathetic smile. “You’ve got the rest of the weekend to let things settle. When you come back Monday, you’ll see everything through fresh eyes.” He gave her arm a patronizing pat and scurried away like the milquetoast he was, leaving her standing in front of the vending machines as if she were guarding them.
As she watched his back disappear, it occurred to her that he had thrown around a lot of we’s, and she still didn’t know who they were. She got the sinking feeling those we’s were stacked against her.
Hailey entered her hotel’slobby unprepared to head to her room, where the quiet she had craved would simply remind her how alone she was. The bar, awash in a deep amber glow, beckoned, and she stepped inside its cozy interior and pulled in a deep breath. The tables were filled with couples, and a comforting burble thrummed through the place.
She slid onto an open barstool in the far corner where she could disappear into the background. She slipped off her coat andtugged a gold-threaded ivory wrap around her shoulders—last year’s Christmas gift from Kaylee.
Scrolling through her phone, she double-checked the money in her savings account and sighed. No one had secretly gifted her millions, her dollars hadn’t gotten together and produced lots of little dollars, and the bank wasn’t paying an interest rate in the bajillions. In other words, the balance was pretty much the same as yesterday.
A bartender signaled he’d be right with her, so she tapped out a text to Kaylee.Can u talk?Her phone rang in predictable fashion.
“Is everything okay?” Her sister’s voice held a note of panic.
“My life sucks.”
“You’re supposed to be at a Christmas party,” Kaylee accused.
“I was, but the county public health director dropped a doozy on me.” She quickly explained the upcoming change.
“Whodoesthat at a Christmas party?” her sister huffed, lifting Hailey’s spirits an inch. Kaylee always had her back.
The sound of a man’s voice had Hailey asking where her sister was.
“Oh, um, just out for the evening,” Kaylee stammered.
“Oh crap! I’m sorry, Kayl. It never occurred to me—”
“That I’d be out on a date?” Kaylee replied dryly.
“No. I mean, yes. I mean … I didn’t even know youlikedmen. Is he standing right there? Oh wait. Are you out with a man or …?”
“Of course I’m out with a man,” Kaylee squawked. “And no, he left to use the little boys’ room.”
“You’re such a teacher.” Hailey snort-laughed.
“Why would you think I’m out with someone who’s not a man?”
“I don’t know. You never had a boyfriend that I recall, and with the way we grew up … Let me put it this way: Pop could cure any girl of an attraction to the male of the species.”
“True, but there’s our sperm donor and then there’s all other men. They’re not in the same category,” she huffed. “Besides, I was too busy raising you to find time for a love life.”
Until you up and left me.Though Hailey held back the harsh words, that tender spot still stung. Then her emotions rubber-banded, and she felt small and spiteful for the unspoken sentiment.
She shifted gears. “Do you like this guy, Kayl? Where did you meet him?”
“Here he comes, so real quick,” Kaylee whispered, “his name is Vince, he’s a teacher at a different school, and yes, I like him. He’s wonderful.”
Hailey pulled the phone away to stare at it. She’d never heard her sister gush about someone—aboutanything—before. When Kaylee called her name through the speaker, she quickly put the device to her ear. “I’ve got to go, Hail, but I want you to think about the reasons why you took this job in the first place. Maybe they don’t count anymore, and you’ll figure it out with a little analysis. Then again, you might find they matter a lot, which could be rejuvenating.”
They exchanged good-byes, and Hailey stared at a snuggly couple at one of the tables, so lost in their own intimate bubble that the world beyond didn’t exist. She was happy for her sister, but a pang of loneliness sank a claw into her chest.
“Why’s a pretty lady like you looking so glum?”
