37. Ava
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ava
Two weeks is nothing
I told myself it was no big deal. Tanner was leaving for work.
That was his job. We had a situationship, and even though we had admitted we liked each other and that we would miss each other, it was still a situationship.
That was what I told myself as I took one last glance in the mirror and hobbled out to the kitchen on my one crutch.
Of course, Tanner had left me completely sated the night before, and I had fallen asleep totally relaxed. I didn’t even know what to think about how safe I felt sleeping with him. It was unexpected and special.
At the moment, he was finishing a phone call. “I’ll see you later, Mom. I’ll stop by before I go to the station.”
My heart twisted in my chest, but I marshaled myself. This was no big deal. I had only known Tanner for a little while. He was going to be gone for two weeks. Meanwhile, I would figure out when I would fly home, and everything would be fine.
“Does your mom miss you when you’re gone working?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Most likely. Do you know when you’re leaving yet?” he asked. “Have you thought about that?”
“I don’t know. I need to figure out the flight and all that. I see my doctor today. We’ll figure out if I can start putting weight on this foot.”
Suddenly, I wanted to cry. I wanted to text him every day about small things, but I wouldn’t get the chance. He would be way out of range for calls and texts.
“You be safe.” I pointed at him, tapping my fingertip against his chest.
His lips twitched at the corners, and my belly did a little flip. God, I wanted him. All over again.
“I’m always safe. You be careful with your ankle.”
“I will.”
He gave me a slow kiss, and I thought I might cry when he drew away. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Okay,” I said softly. “Text me before you fly out.”
“I will. It’ll be later this afternoon.”
I gave him one more quick kiss and watched as he left. After the sound of his tires on gravel faded, I plunked down on the couch and glanced over at Growly. “I am an idiot,” I announced.
Growly, who slept an impressive amount of the time, opened one eye. Then apparently deciding something important was happening, he opened the other one, got up, and came over to curl against my hip.
I idly dragged my fingers through Growly’s fur. I loved his little, battered ear and the way he was kind of rough-and-tumble. He had been through some life stuff, seen some things, and it made me feel like, well, he understood me better.
My sigh was audible, and I blinked away tears that startled me. I needed to do something. Anything. I reached for my phone and tapped out a text to Tiffany.
Me: It’s official. I’m moving. I’m going to tell everyone.
I didn’t even really have a plan, but I needed to send that text. I needed to make it official.
“But what if it doesn’t work out with Tanner?” I asked out loud, looking down at Growly.
He simply pressed his head a little harder into the side of my hip.
“Except I’m not doing this for Tanner,” I added in this one-way conversation. “I’m not doing this for Tanner.”
I wasn’t running away. I was facing the reality that I didn’t want to return to the life I’d had before.
I loved my parents, but I knew how it would be if I was close to them again.
The role I had taken on as a child, smoothing things over, making sure everything was okay while simultaneously staying out of the way, would slide right back into place.
I would still take care of them. I had faith I could earn the salary I needed.
Josie hadn’t gone into the details yet, and I really needed to have that conversation with her, but I trusted her. I knew she wouldn’t screw me over. I lifted my phone again and noticed belatedly that Tiffany had already replied.
Tiffany: High-five! Busy at work. I’ll call you later.
I smiled and then typed another text, this time to Josie.
Me: Can we have a conversation about that job? I want to officially accept it.
Almost immediately, a buzzy wave of anxiety sparked through me. This was terrifying. I was moving here, actually moving.
My doubts about whether I was worthy of any of this started banging around loudly in my thoughts. Even though I knew, truly knew, that I wasn’t doing this for Tanner, I really, really wanted something good with him.
I already felt more strongly about Tanner than I ever had about Brad, even on our wedding day.
In hindsight, I had known, standing there in my dress, that I shouldn’t go through with it.
I had been filled with doubt and confusion, but I kept telling myself stability was healthy.
That my doubts were normal, that everyone was anxious about getting married. Wrong on all counts.
“I can do this,” I told Growly.
This time, he actually opened his eyes. He lifted his chin and looked at me, and I swear that little rough-around-the-edges cat was telling me he knew I could.
My phone vibrated again.
Josie: OMG. I’ll be over in half an hour. I’m leaving the resort right now. We need to finalize this. I was trying not to pressure you, but I am barely treading water here and we need this. We need you. This is perfect.
I grinned and lifted one hand in the air. “Yay!”
As promised, Josie arrived within half an hour. She knocked lightly before peering in, her eyes twinkling. “Hello,” she called in a singsong voice.
“Come in!” I waved her in.
“That cat is so freaking cute.” She grinned at him as she approached.
I chuckled. As predicted, Growly had relocated to his favorite corner of the couch after I got up to use the bathroom. My pain was pretty much gone, and it had taken real effort not to test the theory and put weight on my foot. Chris’s warnings from physical therapy echoed loudly in my head.
Josie hustled over, pulled a laptop from her bag, and set it on the ottoman.
“All right. I have a salary package and everything.”
“Already?
“I am not an HR person, but I consulted an HR attorney. She drew up a whole plan and then told me I need to hire an HR person.” She gave me a strained smile. “For now, that’s you. Also management. Is that too much for you to take on?” she asked quickly.
“I love being busy. You’re just getting up and running.”
She exhaled. “You have a lot of experience. Boring administration for a medium-sized corporation is still experience. Bigger than what we are, sure, but you can do this.”
“Are you sure you just want to hire me?” I asked, feeling a twist of uncertainty.
“Well, the attorney told me I should call your references.”
I grimaced. “My boss is the woman who had an affair with my ex.”
Josie wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Ohhhh.”
“I’m just being honest. You can call her. She’ll probably give me a good reference. If anything, she’ll give me an amazing one because she’s worried I’ll report them.”
Josie’s eyes gleamed. “I am absolutely calling her.”
“Can I sign the contract before you do that?” I asked quickly. “If she gives me a bad reference, I don’t want you backing out. I haven’t told them I’m leaving yet.”
Josie laughed. “Sign it. Take your time reviewing it. Then give your notice. I’ll call her after.”
She leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “I’m going to tell her how amazing you are and how awesome Tanner is. Because if she had an affair with your ex, we already know he’s a dick.” I snorted. “And I’m sure he sucks in bed,” she said with an eye roll.
I froze. “Oh my God,” Josie said slowly. “Did he?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “I thought it was me.” My cheeks burned.
“Tanner, though,” Josie said, nodding. “He’s a good guy. It suits his personality that he’d be good in bed.”
“What?” I sputtered.
“Listen. I’m not into Tanner. Never have been, brotherly vibe and all that. But he’s a follow-through guy. He’s thorough and loyal. If you ask him to plow your driveway, it’s perfect.”
“So I’m the driveway in this analogy?” I eyed her dubiously.
“Yes.” She giggled.
I took a slow breath. “Josie, thank you.”
She paused, her gaze sobering as she looked at me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “It’s just a lot. I’ve been through some stuff, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m glad I broke my ankle.”
She smiled uncertainly. “It gave me time, and that time gave me perspective. I need this change. I love it here in Willow Brook. I can’t go back and work with my ex and his…
I don’t even know what to call her.” Josie winced in sympathy.
“It’s not that I’m mourning our marriage.
I’m not. It hurt, but I’m just so embarrassed.
” Pausing, I shook my head sharply. “You offering me this job right now makes this possible for me.”
Josie’s expression softened. “Well, I need you as much as it sounds like maybe you need this job. But before you get ahead of yourself, please look at the paperwork. Oh, wait.” She brightened. “I printed it. I hate reading things on a laptop.” She wrinkled her nose again, and I laughed.
Twenty minutes later, I had read every page. “The salary…” I stared at the number again. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive,” Josie said firmly. “We have funding, and we’re using it.
Tate may not look like it because he’s a firefighter and looks like some rugged Alaska mountain man.
He is totally hot, if I don’t say so myself.
” Her cheeks flushed slightly. “But he’s a savvy businessman.
He snagged this property at a serious deal.
I still don’t know how he did it. I lined up a bunch of grants, and we’re ready to roll. ”
“It probably helps that you’re an Olympic skier,” I pointed out.
Josie rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“You were in commercials,” I stated.
“I know,” she said dryly. “Anyway, this salary is competitive with other ski resorts. We want to become a premier location.”
“I love it,” I breathed. “I’m getting excited.”
“So I have to email it to you. You need to sign it from your own email address.”
“Do it right now. I’ll sign it on my phone.”
A moment later, it was official. We stared at each other for half a second before simultaneously squealing. We high-fived and hugged.
“When do I start?” I asked.
“When do you want to start?”
“Well,” I said, sobering slightly, “I do need to go back and sort things out. I can start doing some things remotely. But I need to box up my stuff and ship what I want to bring up here. I don’t even know where I’m going to stay.”
“You can stay here until you figure it out.”
“I can?”
“You’re already here. It’s available. After the winter months, if you’re still here, Tate will want to charge you. But it’ll be reasonable.”
“That’s fine. I need to pay rent.”
“We’re planning staff apartments too,” she added. “You can help organize that.”
“That would be awesome.” I felt the excitement all the way down to my literal tippy-toes.
“Okay,” Josie continued. “The guys are leaving for a fire.” My stomach dipped. “Are you going to leave while Tanner’s gone?” she asked.
“I don’t know yet,” I admitted.
“Let’s simplify this so you don’t feel frantic. Start next month.”
I exhaled slowly. “Oh. That’s perfect. I love that.”
“Meanwhile,” she said, clapping her hands once, “let’s celebrate. We’ll round up everyone who comes to card night.”
“I love that idea. What should we do?”
“Fireweed Winery.”
My eyes lit up. “Yes. Absolutely yes! I love that place. I went there on my divorce trip, and Tori waited on us. She was so awesome when I told her it was my divorce trip.”
“Of course she was.” Josie snorted. “I love Tori. Tomorrow night?”
“I’ll need a ride,” I admitted. “Even if I can walk, I can’t drive yet.”
“I’ll make sure someone can pick you up,” she said immediately.