CHAPTER 17
Idrop into a fabric navy chair at the dining room table where the family is gathering for lunch. “Nowhere is hiring,” I complain to Evie who sits to my left. “I might have to go home, Evs. I need a job.” Every business I checked in with is already fully staffed for the summer. My car insurance is due at the end of June. I don’t have enough in my bank account to cover it. I need money.
Evie puts a hand on my forearm. “I don’t want you to leave. Have you checked into remote or online work?”
Becca comes into the dining room, holding a large bowl of garden salad. Even doing a mundane task like that, she’s elegant, friendly, and fashionable. “Who’s looking for online work?”
I sigh. “I am. No one in Stokesley is hiring.”
Becca sets the salad on the table, then takes a seat across from Evie and me. “What kind of job are you looking for?”
I snort. “At this point? Anything. Including scrubbing toilets.”
Evie smacks my arm. “Gross. We’re about to eat.” She looks at Becca. “Evie’s degree is in marketing. Do you know of anyone who needs some social media help or ads created? Maybe some basic graphic design work?”
Bennett and Henry stroll into the dining room, taking seats on either side of their mom. “Who needs social media help?” Henry asks.
“Millie’s looking for a job,” Evie says. “There’s nothing local. We’re trying to find something she can do from here so she doesn’t have to go home.”
Becca taps her chin. “Hmmm.”
Bennett’s brows rise. “That’s her idea face. What are you thinking, Mom?”
Becca lays her palms on the table and leans forward, toward me. “Have you ever been a personal assistant before?”
I shake my head. “No. I was a secretary at a real estate office and a marketing firm though.”
Becca nods slowly. “With your marketing degree and secretary experience, you’d be a good fit.” She sits back in her chair. “Do you like to read?”
“Before college I did. I read too much for classes now. I don’t have time for anything fun.” Does she know someone who’s hiring?
Bennett snaps his fingers. “I know where this is going.” He smiles but doesn’t meet my eyes. Since the boat incident, he’s avoided me.
“My PA is out this summer on maternity leave,” Becca says. “I was just telling Bennett that I’m struggling to find time keeping up on my research and writing. How do you feel about being my personal assistant and handling my social media accounts while you’re here?”
I grasp my water glass between my palms. “You’d pay me to help you market your books?”
Becca smiles. “Yes, I would. Honestly, it’s an answer to my prayers. If you’re up for it, we can start this afternoon.”
“Aunt Becca,” Evie hedges. “How many hours a week are we talking about here? Will Mils have time to go out with us?”
Becca chuckles. “Yes, Evs. Millie will have plenty of time to hang out with you. My assistant worked around twenty hours a week. I pay thirty dollars an hour. Are those acceptable terms for you?”
I swallow before answering. “Yes. Thank you for the opportunity.” I don’t love everyone knowing how much money I’m making. It’s embarrassing. But I’m also thrilled I found a job that will let me use my degree and pays me enough to stay here.
“What should we do after lunch?” Henry asks. “Skiing? Kayaking? Hiking?”
“Oh!” Evie squeals. “Let’s do the lake shore trail. I want to see if that eagle’s nest is there from last year.”
My stomach clenches. Why do I have to miss out on activities I want to do? Why can’t I be like Evie’s family and have money in spades?
Stop it, Mils. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to clear these negative thoughts. Evie told me how hard her great-grandparents and everyone else in her family since then have worked to get to where they are today. I have no room for being jealous or petty over someone else’s success. Be grateful for what you have and what you’re working toward.
“You’ll have to take me on that hike another time,” I tell Evie.
She squeezes my forearm. “Absolutely.”
I follow Becca into the library, stopping in my tracks the moment we step inside. There are two stories. Two! This is a dream come true for any fan of reading. Books fill the shelves of every floor to ceiling built-in throughout the room. Brown leather couches surround a large stone fireplace. The room has a cozy vibe with a tan rug covering the hardwood floors. I’m immediately drawn to the ladder that leads to the second floor.
“I’m set up over here,” Becca says, leading me to a mahogany desk that easily fits eight people around it. The furniture is settled between two large windows. “You can sit across from me.”
I set my laptop on the desk and pull up a wingback chair. “Where do I begin?”
“First, I’d like you to look through my social media channels to see what posts and reels my PA usually does. I’d like to keep my content similar.”
“Makes sense.” I pull up Instagram and start scrolling through her feed. Clearly, she’s an author. Her posts vary between something humorous, something about one of her books, and books she recommends. Keeping the theme will be easy.
I move on to her other platforms and notice the same short videos posted in multiple places. That also makes my job easier.
“I’ve added you as an admin.” Becca puts her phone on her desk. “I have a content calendar I’ll email you. If you have any questions, let me know, but I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”
I do. With how many businesses use social media ads, a lot of my classes were about online marketing campaigns. I’ve got this. “What else would you like me to help you with?”
“I’ll need help with my newsletter.”
“Done. Anything else?”
Her head tilts to the side. It reminds me of her sons who inherited their hair from her. I’m not sure of Becca’s age, but she has to be in her fifties or sixties. At first glance, I’d say she’s in her forties. There are barely any crow’s feet around her eyes, and one small forehead wrinkle, and that’s it. I can’t see any gray hairs.
It’s only her grown sons that help me get a ballpark figure of how old she is. Did she age this well naturally? Has she had botox or other work done? Regardless, she’s gorgeous and nice. I’m excited to work for someone so easy-going. And to get to know another member of Evie’s extended family.
I’m checking the email Becca sent me about what she wants to post the next few days when the scent from the black hoodie I wore on my first night surrounds me.
“Hey, Mom,” Bennett says, pulling up the chair next to mine. There are six other chairs. Why did he pick the one closest to me?
He’s dressed in tan shorts and a light-blue linen shirt. Typical summer clothes, and yet for some reason, I can’t stop stealing glances of him.
When did he get here? Wait. I covertly sniff. Is that cologne coming from him? Did I use Bennett’s sweater the first night here? Why wouldn’t he tell me? And why haven’t I noticed before that the two smells are the same? Does Bennett not use whatever this alluring fragrance is all the time?
Inhaling deeply, I luxuriate in the aroma before refocusing on my task.
“It’s a good thing this desk is so large,” Becca jokes. “With all three of us in here, we’d be bumping elbows otherwise.”
Bennett and I are bumping elbows, but what I’m confused about is if it’s on purpose or not. For someone who hasn’t wanted to be around me, he’s getting quite cozy with me on this table.
“What are you working on?” I ask Bennett. “You didn’t want to go hiking?”
He finally looks at me. His cobalt irises are brighter in the stream of light coming in through the windows. His tone is normal. Friendly even. Like the boat never happened. “I’m helping my mom research her next book.”
Aw. That’s really sweet of him. And terrible for me. The past few days weren’t the best, but at least I wasn’t worried about falling deeper in like with him since he left me alone. Keeping my distance is the smart thing to do because the more time I spend with him, the more I ache to have him touch me again. Now what will I do with him working by my side every day?
“I need his expertise.” Becca smiles brightly at her son, her pride beaming from every pore.
Bennett gives his mom a yeah, right look. “You want it. You don’t need it.”
Becca gives up. “However you want to phrase it, I’m grateful for your help.”
“Well, I’ll leave you two to do your research.” I stand, taking my laptop with me. If Bennett is here, I can’t be. “I’m going to head up to my room and get started on tomorrow’s posts.”
Becca places a hand over her heart. “Thank you, Camille. Reach out if you have questions.”
“I will.”
I leave Becca and Bennett in the library. Evie drew me a map yesterday and I finally know where I’m going. It takes me only minutes to get back to my room. I settle on the bed, diving into who Becca is as an author, what her brand represents, what book she’s currently promoting, and what she wants me to do this week.
I’m grateful for something to occupy my mind other than Bennett.
My creative juices flow. Hours pass as I analyze which posts get her the most views, jot down new ideas, create graphics, and put together reels. Getting to use my degree and gain experience I can put on my resume for when I graduate is more than I thought possible after my internship not working out. This is exactly what I needed for a job. I can’t stop smiling at how well this turned out.
I don’t realize it”s dinner time until my stomach lets out a growl loud enough I’m pretty sure people in Canada can hear the angry monster recreating whale sounds in there.
Tracking what time I finish work on a spreadsheet, I shut down my computer and head to the kitchen. Dancing tonight doesn’t sound fun. I’ll skip the club and hang out on the rock instead. I don’t have to worry about asking permission from Bennett either. He mentioned at lunch he was going dancing with everyone tonight. I’ll have the place to myself. It’s the perfect way to spend my night.