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"No offense, Elara, but I don't normally look to new hires for business advice."
Maybe that's why your pizza is so mediocre, I definitely didn't say.
"Okay," I replied, biting my lip. "Well, I enjoyed the pizza. And maybe if I did get the job, in the future, if you wanted any recipe advice—"
"Look," Dominic interrupted, stifling a yawn. "This is just a simple pizza place. We're not looking for a gourmet chef to reinvent the wheel."
"You're right," I said. “And a simple place is what I’m looking for. Seriously. This is my dream job.”
He rolled his eyes. "You a team player?"
"Mm-hmm,” I said, trying to stop my lower lip from trembling. “Absolutely.”
"So, why did you leave your job at The Tortoise?"
The recruitment agency had warned me against being honest. I had planned to make up some lie about creative differences, but now, as I looked at this impatient, arrogant man, I didn't want to lie.
"Because my boss was inappropriate with me." My eyes flicked to the half-naked woman on the Sports Illustrated calendar.
"I see," he said, shifting in his seat. "Well, I think I have all I need for now. We'll be in touch if we'd like to move forward."
I forced a smile and thanked him before walking out of Cut and Dry, my eyes fixed on the sidewalk as rain pelted my drooping shoulders.
Homeward bound. To a home that wasn’t mine.
Why had I let myself get carried away during the interview? Why did I always have to try so hard to impress people?
Back at the apartment, Anthony greeted me with excited tail wags and wet kisses. At least someone was happy to see me. I curled up on the couch, burying my face in the cushions.
"Hey there, buddy. “Anthony jumped up beside me, nuzzling my neck with his wet nose. "Well. I still don't have a job, and I feel even worse than I did this morning. What's new with you?"
***
I must have drifted off because I woke to the sound of my phone ringing. Lily's name flashed on the screen.
"Give me an ‘El!’ Give me an ‘A!’ Give me an ‘R’ and an ‘A!’" Lily's voice boomed through the speakers. "How was your interview, you brilliant woman?"
I groaned. "I told the guy his pizza sucked and warned him not to sexually assault me."
"Wow. Bold choices."
"I'm running out of options, Lil. And I can’t keep running on Helen’s goodwill much longer. It’s a lot for her having Anthony and I in her little apartment all the time. She needs space. I'm tired of being a millstone around her neck."
"Be a millstone around my neck! You know you can come stay with me any time you want. I have a spare room! And you know you can have a job at the bookstore. No questions asked. Plus, as a bonus, I won't sexually assault you."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you," I said. "But I really don't want to go back to Bluehaven Beach."
"Because of Cole?"
I sighed. "Not just Cole. I—"
"I've barely seen him since you left, by the way,” Lily cut in. “I think he's avoiding people."
"Can we not talk about him? Please."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm just saying, you do have options and you do have friends. Really amazing ones, actually, who make great iced coffees!”
I laughed. “I know.”
