I smiled at her.
Crystal stood up straight, her eyes wide. “Wait, are you saying that I can teach? Are you serious?”
“I was considering it anyway, so I took this as a sign that you’re ready. To be honest, you’re more than ready, Crystal. I want you to teach all four of my morning classes tomorrow, and then I’ll teach the afternoon.”
She clasped her hands together and jumped up and down. I could have let her teach sooner, but I wanted to be sure.
“I cannot thank you enough! Oh my gosh!”
“This will include a raise, of course. And with that comes full benefits, paid time off, and the whole nine yards.”
She sat down at her desk and shook her head in blissful excitement. “Annie, ever since I moved back to River Valley, I have waited for this moment.”
After Crystal earned her Ph.D. in Holistic Health and Medicine, she had completed her internship in Hawaii. Since she was a California girl at heart, Crystal had no problem adjusting to life in Hawaii. Just like me, however, she wanted to settle down in River Valley.
“You’re going to do so well,” I said to Crystal. “And I agree with you. I never had any desire to leave River Valley for the long-term. It’s home, you know?”
“Exactly,” she said. “And now that I have a full-time job, I’m ready to move forward with my personal life too. I’m not dating anyone right now, but wish I was.”
I sipped some tea as she started to make some for herself. “What kind of guy are you interested in?”
“Oh, you know. Stereotypical tall, dark, and handsome. Which is hard to find around here.”
“Well, you can find them, but they’re usually jerks. The kind you shouldn’t get involved with, but inevitably do because they’re so charming.”
Crystal sneered. “I’ve had my fair share of bad dates. I just want something normal, you know? Nothing too crazy, just a guy to go out with and have some fun. Maybe splurge on the occasional cheeseburger.”
She and I laughed. “Remember all of the junk food we used to eat in high school? I’d give anything to have my old metabolism back.”
“Me too. I think I’ll join one of those dating sites tonight. Put myself out there and see what happens.”
I shook my head, casually glancing at my phone, only to be surprised that Richard still hadn’t texted me back. “Those are nothing but trouble, Crystal. I say, do things you enjoy doing and see who you meet. Let it happen naturally.”
She nodded and sat back in her chair, scrolling through her phone. As soon as I turned around to face my desk, I received a text notification.
My heart started beating wildly as I stared down at Richard's name on the screen.
“Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Busy at work.”
There was something off about his tone, even through text. I could feel the insecurity rising in my stomach, suddenly regretting everything I had said to him at the coast. I put it all out there, telling him that I wanted a commitment, and now he’s scared.
“That’s okay,” I texted back.
I didn’t want my insecurity to show. If Richard wanted to see me or carry on the conversation, let it be on his terms.
“How about dinner at my place tonight?” he asked.
My insecurities went away, just a little bit, knowing that I would see him. “That sounds great! What time?”
“Sevenish. See you then.”
I locked my phone and shoved it into my purse, wanting it as far away from me as possible. Something was off with Richard, or I was being neurotic. Either one was possible.
“Is everything okay, Annie? You seem upset.”
I kept my head down, pretending to look over some information for my lifestyle brand. “Yeah, just tired.”
There was a long pause, and I knew Crystal was eyeing me. “I’m not buying it.”
