“This is Val.”
“Hey,” Luke’s baritone voice said through the speaker. “You’re hired if you’ll still have us. Wanna come back inside and talk scheduling?”
I looked up. He was standing in the picture window of his living room looking out at my car, phone to his ear.
I didn’t bother concealing my enthusiasm when I said, “Be right in!”
14
Later that night, I was reading in the living room while Mimi watched the news when my phone rang, jolting me. Sometimes I forgot that I wasn’t at risk of incoming calls from partners or clients in the evenings anymore. At least, not for now. My pulse steadied when I saw Max’s name on the screen.
“Hey, Val. How was your day?” I hadn’t seen him since Friday—our boating date. He was just calling to check in?
That’s sweet.
“It was good! I actually got a part-time job.”
“Oh, really? Why?” His tone was hard with skepticism. It took me aback. Why would he askwhyinstead of asking what it was?
“Oh, um. I…” My stomach flipped over as I realized I never told Max that my sabbatical was actually an anxiety-induced medical leave, and while I probably would go back to my job, I wanted to have the option ofnotgoing back. “It’s kinda complicated. With the leave from work, there’s a chance I might want to…extend it, in which case I don’t know if it would continue to be paid. And, you know, it’s something to do.”
“Oh, okay. I didn’t realize you were looking for something, since you have your job at Peters & Dowling to go back to.” His voice was so flat, so unlike the charming lilthe normally had in person. Neither of us said anything for a moment. The awkwardness was palpable, even through the phone. Was he upset I hadn’t explained more on our dates?
“I never fully explained. I’m sorry I didn’t. Maybe we can talk about it more when you’re back?” It was hard not to take his stunted responses personally, but I was partially to blame for not telling him the details of my situation.
“I got back a couple hours ago.”
“Oh, great! How was your weekend? You said the client dinner went well?” I hoped a subject change would cut the tension.
Max seemed happy for the subject change, too, and spoke jovially about the dinner, the fancy food, the intricate drinks, the satisfaction that one of his biggest clients remained happy with their services. I listened andooh-ed andahh-ed appropriately, if apathetically.
We hung up after agreeing to go out for drinks on Wednesday.
Lying in bed that night, I replayed our conversation in my head. I didn’t miss going to those fancy, budget-less client dinners like the one Max described so fondly, or the self-doubt they always inspired: Did I have one too many drinks? Did I say the right things? Did I come across as sociable and fun but still trustworthy and reliable?
Nope, I did not miss them one bit.
I waited on Luke’s front steps for Luna to get off the school bus.
“Hi, Luna! How was school?” I asked once she got to the walkway.
She shrugged, her backpack lifting up an inch with her shoulders. “It was fine. We finally got our spelling tests back.”
Her brown eyes were bright, so I asked, “And?”
“I got a one hundred.” A smile crept across her tiny face. She had paler skin than Luke, but equally dark hair and eyes. Herbrown hair was pulled up in a ponytail, with little wisps flying off in all directions from the humidity. She was adorable.
“That’s amazing! Great job!” I held up my hand for a high five, and she stared at it for a moment, considering, before obliging me.
“Thanks.” She shrugged like it was no big deal. Like she got one hundreds all the time. She probably did.
We went inside and she made her way to the kitchen table. I checked the fridge. “Do you want a snack? Hummus and veggies and crackers again?”
“Yeah!”
I brought her a little plate and a cup of water. She’d already spread open her books on the table. I made myself a small hummus and veggie plate and walked over to the couch. “I’ll be right here reading if you need me.”
Three chapters of my romantasy novel later, a dramatic sigh issued from the dining table. Luna squinted at the paper in front of her, hand poised over it with a pencil.
