Page 114 of Beautiful Place By the Sea

“Is that a yes, then?” Brianna’s voice rises eagerly.

I take a deep breath. “Would it be all right if I took some time to think it over?”

“Of course,” she replies, any surprise at my hesitation immediately glossed over with consummate professionalism. “Can you let me know by the end of the month? I honestly won’t have time to prepare for your arrival until the local kids are back in school anyway; our summer programs are keeping me so busy.”

Without meaning to, she’s just condemned me to three and a half weeks of cold sweats and sleepless nights. “Absolutely,” I agree brightly. I’ve been a nervous wreck for so long, I have my fake enthusiasm down pat. I’m not sure even Laurel could see through it.

I think Oliver could.

Shoving thoughts of his face when I tell him about the job from my mind, I thank Brianna profusely.

“I need to go attend to these roller coaster tycoon wannabes,” she jokes. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Good luck! Thank you again.”

When I hang up the phone, I imagine Hologram Ivy swiping her employee badge at Freehold, a big grin upon her face. My body watches from a dark room, glimmering strings of my soul pouring out through the gaping hole in my chest.

I have to get out of this house, and I need someone to talk to who can offer unbiased advice. There’s nothing I want more than for someone else to tell me what I should do.

There’s only one person I can think of who won’t hesitate to do just that. Hitting the beach, I dial my mother.

“Ivy?” Mom asks, like she forgot how caller ID works.

“Hey, Mom. It is indeed me, your only child.”

“Funny,” she says drily. “What’s up?”

Maybe she’s just distracted with work. I guess it is only 4:30; she might still be doing her notes. “I need your advice.”

I picture my mom sitting up in her chair, eager to do the two things she loves best: mothering and psychoanalyzing. “Shoot.”

“Okay. So, I got two different job offers, and I’m struggling to decide which is the right fit.”

“Of course you did! Tell me about them.”

A wave splashes over my sneakered feet, but I don’t care. That’s what I get for rushing out of the house without changing. “One is a management position here, at Shoreline Books. The owner is stepping away and asked me to run the shop.”

“Wow, Ivy! That sounds incredible.”

“I know, right?” I swallow my excitement. I need to present both options in the same tone so I don’t sway her opinion. “It would be a really great opportunity. A new challenge, but a bit of a departure from what I’ve been working toward.”

“How about the other job?”

“That one also seems pretty perfect. Head of children’s services at a library in Springfield. Much more in line with my degree and my experience.”

“Hmm.” My mother considers. “Well, from a location perspective, you’d have to move either way.”

“I would,” I begin slowly. “Springfield would be a new adventure, but I’d be on my own. Here, I wouldn’t be.”

“How much time do you think you’d be spending with your boss if you took the bookstore job?” She sounds awfully amused.

It occurs to me that I still haven’t told her about Oliver. “I’ve actually been seeing someone here this summer.” I’m not sure how much detail to offer.

“Ohhhh really? My, my, my.” Mom might as well be singing the k-i-s-s-i-n-g song for how childishly she’s reacting.

“I’m an adult, you realize.” This conversation is significantly less helpful than I’d expected.

She laughs again. “Sorry. Anyway. So you met someone?”