“This is the position, and I’ve highlighted what I’ve been approved to offer the final candidate.” My eyes narrow at the screen, trying to take in everything at once, but failing miserably as my eyes move right to the highlighted section.
The salary is double that of my teaching job, which, granted, isn’t that hard, but if I kept this job even for a year, I would be able to set myself up and add more padding to my savings. Even if I went back to teaching, I would have so much less stress. And if I didn’t…I’d have a buffer if I wanted to try anything else.
The job itself, Coordinating Assistant to the project manager, seems like a relatively straightforward position and one I could absolutely do. Maintain the manager’s meeting schedule, sift through applications, stay on top of township deadlines, identify and reach out to influencers for promotional opportunities, and manage any remaining tasks related to the opening and operation of Daytrip, the new offshoot of Daydream Resorts.
Excitement brews in my belly, just a bit, because it actually sounds like a fun position. Still, I can’t take advantage of my friend this way. Sighing, I hand the tablet back to her. “Sutton, I don’t want to get you into trouble. I’m almost positive I didn’t apply for this. I do need a job, but I really don’t want you to get in trouble for offering a job to someone and—” She cuts me off with a wave of her hand.
“Look, I know you, I trust you, and I have shit to do. You’d be helping me out, really. I could stop looking and focus on what I have to do. It would be so easy to train you. Plus, you know everything about this town. Whatever hiccups we’re bound to hit, you’d know the best way around them. You’re probably more qualified for this job than I am.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say with a laugh.
“I do. Now, will you please take this job so I can stop interviewing people?”
“Don’t you have an interview, like, right now?”
“No show,” she says with a shrug, as if it’s a non-issue. “But you came instead. Kind of feels like it was meant to be, doesn’t it?”
It does, actually. In fact, the kismet of it all feels exactly like what I promised Claire and Lainey. I promised myself I would view this as my lucky summer, and if an opportunity like this just falls into my lap…it has to be the universe giving me a sign, right?
Right.
“Uh, well…in that case…sure. Yeah. Why not?” I say with a wide smile, feeling a bit crazed and reckless, but excitement running in my veins all the same. Sutton grins.
“Yay! Amazing—I’ll send over your paperwork tonight. I’ll text you for your email. Could you come in on Monday for your first day? I know it’s soon, but we’re neck deep in opening day tasks, and I’m heading to Hudson City at noon to help Rowan with something for the Bali location.” She starts tapping at the table as if checking her schedule or sending an email, already busy on her next task.
“I, uh…” I bite my lip, a sudden nervousness taking over the momentary excitement, but then I spot Grant talking to someone in the background, and my resolve strengthens.
I don’t want him to worry about, once again, having to step in to help me. He’s done more than enough by now.
“Yeah. That’s totally fine.”
“Yay!” Sutton says, clapping, then standing to pull me into a huge hug.
“What’s going on here?” Grant says, taking off his hat and flipping it around, looking at Sutton and me with confusion. I expect him to remind me he told me to stay in one place and out of trouble, but I speak before he can lecture me.
“I just got a job,” I say with a winning smile.
He looks at me, rightfully confused. “What?”
“Sutton just offered me a job here at Daytrip. Assist the project manager who has been running this thing. Pays pretty well, normal weekday hours, a desk job.”
“With insurance!” Sutton adds, and I nod, smiling wider.
“And with insurance.” He looks at me again for a long moment before shaking his head, a smile on his lips as he puts a shoulder around my arms, pulling me in for a side hug.
“Only you could literally have a job fall into your lap,” he says.
“It’s what happens when you’re lucky,” I say, genuinely feeling it to my bones, because I amsolucky, and everything is working out for me.
FOUR
I float on air through the weekend, secure in the fact that I made the right choice. How could I believe anything different when everything is working out perfectly? Sure, I may have changed my entire career path, but before I even had one full day unemployed, I had a new job.
On Saturday, I head to the Seabreeze to celebrate with Claire. Sunday, I spend the day cleaning my apartment and getting myself ready for my first day of work. By four, I’m out of things to do and eager to fill up my time to fend off any first-day jitters. On the table sits a half-finished piece I started months ago, but haven’t touched it since; I pick it up and consider working on it. For a moment, Claire’s words about selling my work run through my mind, but I push the thought aside.
Instead, I head down to the boardwalk, resolving to enjoy the warm early summer night, maybe read a book. But once I settle into a bench, I don’t find myself opening the book I brought or peacefully watching the ocean. I don’t even find myself mindlessly scrolling social media. Instead, I open up the sketch pad I also brought and doodle what I see: the crests of the waves, a seashell in the sand, a seagull grabbing a dropped French fry.After a while, my attention is pulled back to reality when a voice rises beside me, a man sitting one bench away.
“I don’t care what you have to do, we agreed that the furniture would be delivered in two weeks, and if that’s not adhered to, you’re in breach of contract,” he says, voice firm and angry and just a bit familiar. I force myself not to be nosy and look over at him, instead, keeping my eyes on the pad in my hands. I pretend to sketch as he talks about contracts and terms; I assume he must be a lawyer in town for the convention this week. I sit there for another minute, the man moving on, his voice low and growly and clearly irritated, before I finally give in to the urge to glance over.
