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“Did you hear? Dean found his girl!” She says it with such pride I glance around to make sure Lance can’t hear from the big conference room.
“Well, I heard Dean seduced Lance’s sister, according to him.”
Kayla smirks. “He’s just jealous. Of true love, not his sister. Come on, Dean is going down to meet her in the lobby. Let’s go watch!”
I roll my eyes at my friend. You would think with the man she has to go home with, she wouldn’t need to watch someone else’s romance, but apparently it’s just made it more interesting. I follow her into the steel elevator, and we ride down to the ground floor in silence.
Oh my God, they are cute together. Kayla and I exchange glances as we watch them walk out of the building side by side. They just fit, you know?
On the way back to my desk, Major Brinker waves me down. He’s one of the upper management in town for these meetings, but I’ve met with him before. He’s efficient and all business but not stressed about it. Or unreasonable.
“Isla, got a minute?”
“Yes, sir. What can I do for you?” I ask hesitantly, hoping nothing is wrong with the schedule or the chairs.
“Everyone’s been talking about how well run this week has been, and I know that’s all down to you.”
I smile, not sure where this is going.
“We’d like to steal you away to Sala Bay. It’s still growing and really needs someone with your attention to detail to keep everything on track. There’s relocation funding and also because you’d be working with more on a daily basis a 50% salary increase.”
I glance down the hall towards Lance’s office and my desk. I can’t take many more muffin runs. I really can’t. “Thank you, sir. That’s very generous and definitely interesting. When do I need to give you an answer?”
His smile is fierce and I know how he rose as far as he did both in the military and ACI. “Tomorrow. It’s not the kind of decision worth dithering about, Isla. You’re either in or you’re not.”
I nod. He’s right. “Are you staying on site this time? I can leave a message with your room tomorrow.”
He shakes his head. “No, too many of us. I opted to stay in town as I know the area. Why don’t you meet me for a drink at the Farmhouse after work and give me your answer then?”
I incline my head in assent. Usually, I like to get home as soon as possible after these sessions. But fifteen minutes won’t hurt and he’s basically offering me the opportunity to negotiate, which I don’t want to pass up by simply responding yes or no in an email.
Lance
Everyone is singing Isla’s praises. Which are warranted but mean only one thing. I’m going to lose her soon. I know it whenshe comes back to her desk looking thoughtful, her eyes wary when she spots me. I sigh. Might as well confront it head on.
“When are you leaving?” I ask her quietly.
She furrows her brow. “At five thirty, like usual. Why?”
“No, I mean, when are you leaving for one of the other offices, whichever one is trying to steal you away?”
“Oh.” She flushes, and it’s making me hard. I shift in my seat, grateful for the desk between us. “We haven’t got that far yet. Would you mind?”
I freeze my face into socially polite lines. “Isla, of course I mind, but I’m not surprised. You’re too good for a small office like this. I didn’t think you would stay forever and I don’t have the right promotion for you here. You should take it,” I prod her gently.
She smiles weakly. “Thanks.” When she turns back to her desk, her shoulders are slumped and I want to pull her in for a hug. She’s been run ragged all week.
“Isla? Why don’t you take off early? Spend some extra time with Toby in the park. There’s nothing that can’t wait for the morning.”
She looks surprised, but then nods more firmly. “Thanks, Boss. I’ll take you up on that.” She gives me another tight smile, grabs her purse out of her bottom drawer, and heads to the elevator. All the color seems to leave the room with her. I scrub my hand over my eyes. A few years ago I’d have gone for a beer but I’m trying to cut back. Do what my therapist said and feel the emotions instead of pushing them away. Well, let me tell you, these emotions suck. I might as well leave early too. Paisley invited me over for dinner. I think she’s attempting to play peacemaker, except I’m still in the annoyed phase with Dean. We all know eventually I’ll get used to the two of them together, but this week ain’t it.
3
Isla
I’m going to take the job offer. I’ve added some minor conditions, like two weeks in the adjacent hotel while I search for an apartment. That kind of thing. And I want a full month here in Destiny Bay to pack up and get my revenge on Lance’s muffin mania. That alone requires at least two weeks for what I’ve been planning. Who knows, maybe he’ll findthe onewith several hundred muffin contestants to choose from. That’s right, I’m throwing a contest for the employees, and Lance has to be the judge. I wouldn’t miss the look on his face for the world.
When I get home and give Toby the news, he looks forlorn. I’m sure he understands and knows it means leaving his favorite park behind and his barking buddy two streets over. So I take out his halter and we head to the park, all thoughts of moving set aside so we can both enjoy a lovely summer day.
