Chapter 38 Isla
ISLA
“Cross your fingers and toes for me,” I say to Juniper as we walk up to the restaurant where the Cedar Creek Business Owners Association is holding their semi-annual luncheon.
Knowing how desperate I’m starting to feel about my job situation, Juni suggested I join her as her guest today, and I eagerly accepted. I need to network, to get my face and name out there, and make it clear I’m looking for a permanent position in Cedar Creek.
“It’ll work out. Gotta have faith. You and Charlie are staying in Cedar Creek.”
I wish I could muster up that much confidence, but the truth is, I’m worried. Luca’s brought up the idea of me staying at the Thunder a couple more times. But as much as I want to do that, not only because of the job security, but because I’m loving my work there, I just can’t do it.
I can’t work for the man I’m in love with. Not long-term. Which means I’ve got to find another job, and fast. It’s already March, and the early April end date for my contract is coming up in a matter of a few short weeks.
But an hour of small talk later, and my hopes are sinking faster than the Titanic.
Sure, I’ve met plenty of local business owners, even handed out some of my cards. But no one seems to be looking for a marketer. Well, no one except for a doggie daycare that wants to branch out and do grooming and boarding and wanted to discuss me helping them with their social media campaign.
It’s another short-term contract with lower pay. I’d love to help them out, but it’s hardly a solution to my problem.
As if my mood couldn’t get any worse, right then, I see Miranda Mulaney standing near a group of older men, her red lips parted in a wide, fake-looking smile.
The moment she sees me, her eyes narrow into slits, even as she continues whatever conversation she’s in the middle of.
Whatever, she can glare at me all she wants. There’s absolutely no reason we should have to interact at all. And even if we do, what was a ploy to get her to leave Luca alone the day we first met is now reality. She can’t touch me.
Turning my back on her, I make my way over to a pair of women I recognize as owning one of the local fitness studios. I highly doubt they need someone like me since Juniper looked into the classes and found out they’re so popular there’s often a waitlist, but still. A connection is a connection.
But that’s a dead end as well. They’re lovely women, and I’m grateful to accept the free one-week pass they offer for me to come and try out some classes, but a marketing expert is not something they need.
It’s not something anyone in this town needs, apparently.
Except for the man I’m dating.
As Juniper and I walk out of the restaurant after the luncheon is over, my mood is gloomy.
“Okay. We’re going to Dot’s for milkshakes, no arguing.” She threads her arm through mine and leads me to her car.
“I don’t know, Juni. I should just go home. Charlie’s got his big game tomorrow, and I’m tired and—”
“Stop. You’re spiraling, babe. Let’s sit for a few minutes over creamy chocolate shakes and make a plan.”
By now, we’ve reached her car, but I don’t open my door, instead staring at her over the hood of the car. “What plan is there to make? There’s literally no work for me in this town. I’ve sent out resumes and queries to dozens of businesses between here and Dogwood Cove. No one is hiring right now.”
“You could always come and work with me, I could use some help.”
I laugh, but it’s hollow sounding. “I love you, Juniper, but caring for injured owls and rescuing raccoons is not my area of expertise.”
Juniper just shrugs and opens her door. “It wasn’t mine, either. I was going to be a nurse, remember?”
Heaving a sigh, I follow her into the car, letting my head thump against the headrest before I answer. “Yeah, but you can’t stand the sight of vomit, so that was never going to work out.”
“True. And I’m happier with my animals,” she says brightly, steering her car into traffic, in the direction of the diner.
I let her keep up a stream of chatter the entire way there. I really should insist she take me home, Lord knows I’m not good company right now.
The job search has been the primary thing on my mind, that’s for sure. But then, out of the blue, Luca announced two days ago that he needed to go to Toronto for something. He was pretty evasive and vague when I asked why, saying something about seeing his old mentor.
It still annoys me that he wouldn’t tell me the whole truth. He left early this morning, and all I’ve heard since then is a quick text to let me know he arrived safely. Adding onto my annoyance with life in general, my period showed up today, two days early.
I’m a real treat to be around.
Maybe that’s why I’m not getting anywhere on the job front, maybe everyone can sense I’m a hormonal grumpy beast right now.
“Earth to Isla, we’re here.”
I blink and look at Juni, then out the window, where sure enough, we’re parked in front of Dot’s Diner.
“Sorry,” I say as we get out of the car. “My head is a mess right now.”
Juniper joins me on the sidewalk and bumps me with her hip. “It’s all good. C’mon, milkshakes are on me.”
Inside, the bright colours and sounds of the diner do little to improve my mood. I let Juni guide me over to a booth and take a seat.
“Hi girlies, what can I get for ya?” Dot’s smiling face falls as soon as she looks at me. “Uh-oh. Isla, hon, what’s got you so glum?”
“Job woes, man trouble, and Aunt Flo visiting.” Juni ticks them off, one by one, in a concise summary of my current predicament. “We need chocolate shakes with extra whipped cream.”
“I’m on it.” Dot’s hand lightly squeezes my arm as she bustles away. She’s back before long, setting down two large old-fashioned fountain glasses, full to the brim with creamy chocolate milkshakes.
“Thanks, Dottie,” I say, mustering a smile.
“On the house, hon. Now, tell me about these job woes and man trouble. Let’s see if Aunt Dot can help.”
“Unless you tell me you need a marketing professional on a long-term basis, there’s no helping the job situation. And the man trouble is more of a man frustration.”
Dottie hums. “I’ll keep my ears open for a job. I hear a lot of things and meet a lot of people, you know.”
“It’s true, Dot knows everything about everybody,” Juni chimes in, winking at Dot.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Dot retorts with an easy smile. “Anywho. Man frustration is something I’m quite familiar with. Before my Frank died, he used to drive me round the bend. What’s that Luca done now?”
“Nothing, really,” I admit. “He just went out of town this morning and didn’t tell me why.”
“That’s not nothing. Communication is important. But do you trust him?”
My nod comes instantly.
“Then trust he has a good reason to go. And trust that him not telling you could be as simple as the fact that men can be complete idiots and don’t always think about the need to keep their partner informed.”
Juniper starts to giggle, and I find myself eventually joining in. Luca may be an incredibly mature, confident man most of the time, but I’ve certainly seen the other side of him. Would I call him an idiot? Of course not. Occasionally oblivious and impulsive? Definitely.
“Thanks Dottie, that helps.” I smile up at the older woman. It’s crazy, but I do actually feel a little bit better. I don’t exactly have a lot of experience being in a relationship, so hearing from someone who does goes a long way to helping me understand everything.
“Anytime. Now, if you want my advice, which, to be frank, you’re gonna get even if you don’t want it, you need to talk to him.
Tell him how you feel. Ask him to explain.
It’ll be good for both of you.” Her gaze drops to the wedding band on her left hand.
“Especially if he’s a keeper like he seems to be.
Those are the ones worth the extra work. ”
Dot’s sage advice, bittersweet as it is, knowing she’s grieving the man she loves, stays with me all afternoon. When Juni eventually drops me at the stadium so I can grab some things to work on over the weekend, my thoughts are with Luca. I just saw him this morning, but I already miss him.
“See you tomorrow at Charlie’s game,” she calls out with a wave.
It’s just a fun pre-season match up between the two Little League teams, more of a practice than anything, but it’s Charlie’s first time pitching, so he’s been vibrating with excitement all week.
It’s too bad Luca’s trip couldn’t be delayed, I’m sure Charlie would have loved for him to be there tomorrow.
But when he told me he was leaving town, it didn’t occur to me to mention the game.
Not when he already had flights booked and everything.
But Juni and I will be there for Charlie, and she said Cal might join us.
Hopefully, a Thunder player cheering him on is an okay substitute for Luca.
As I walk past his office with the door closed, I blush, remembering our stolen moments in there.
Passing Gabe’s desk, my gaze lands on a piece of paper sticking out of a folder.
A piece of paper that has my name on it.
I come to a stop. Gabe’s computer is on, so he’s obviously still here, even though he isn’t at his desk at the moment for me to ask what’s in the folder. Indecision wars within me. I shouldn’t snoop, but what could that be?
“Isla, hi.”
I turn to see Gabe walking up. His gaze drops down to the folder, and then his eyes widen before he scoops it up and tucks it under his arm.
“What is that, Gabe?”
“Just some papers for Luca.”
That’s an evasive answer if I ever heard one. “Why was my name on it?” I cross my arms over my chest.
Gabe looks at me, his expression carefully neutral. “I think that’s something you should take up with Luca.”
“Gabe,” I say, unable to keep the pleading from my voice. “What is it?”
His lips turn up ever so slightly. “I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
I swallow. “I hate surprises, Gabe. Please, I won’t tell him you showed me.”
He studies me for a second before I see him relent. “For what it’s worth, I think it’s fantastic.” Opening the folder, he turns it to me.
I skim it quickly, seeing just enough to set my blood boiling and my heart cracking.
Fantastic is not the word I would use.