Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kylie checked her email after getting out of the shower, too hot to put clothes on just yet.
She had updated her résumé after Zane left the Bay and uploaded it to LinkedIn.
She had also started searching the site, getting a feel for the jobs currently listed.
She didn’t limit herself to Texas. In fact, she found herself deliberately looking outside of Texas, ready to break with her past. Of course, she would always return to the Bay to see her parents and her brothers’ families, but she was ready to move to a different state and up for new adventures.
Since it was mid-August and high season would soon be ending, she had started applying for positions.
Most were in her wheelhouse, but a few colored outside the lines as far as her skill set.
Still, she decided it was worth a try to think outside the box.
She had even applied for a passport, just as Nellie and Neville Wagner had done, and Kylie was creating a small bucket list of her own, places she wanted to see someday.
Big Ben. Machu Picchu. The Swiss Alps. The Taj Mahal.
She was dreaming big, something she believed she had gotten from Zane.
They had spent long hours talking about various projects he had overseen, and her gut told her she could do anything she put her mind to.
A few emails acknowledged receiving her résumé but went no further than that.
Two companies wanted to schedule a phone interview with her, one in Denver and the other in Philadelphia.
That excited her. Unfortunately, the suggestions they gave for days and times for these interviews to occur were during business hours, when she was out on the open water.
Most likely, she would need to see the summer season done before she could begin taking time off during the day in order to land a new job.
She closed her email, deciding she would deal with the issue when she got home later this evening.
Right now, she went into her kitchen to claim the banana bread she had baked this morning.
Tonight, she was joining the Three Musketeers in a goodbye dinner for Piper, who was headed to New York.
Layne had found a couple to take over management of the Bay Breeze Inn, freeing up Piper to pursue a musical theater career on Broadway.
One night last week, she and Piper had commiserated over their love lives over two bottles of wine.
Kylie admitted that she had strong feelings for Zane, without naming them.
Piper, too, had said she had thought she would have a future with Sullivan, but that hadn’t come to pass.
They had gotten drunk, reveling in their misery, both swearing off men.
Kylie drove to Layne’s house, and Keaton had answered the door.
“They’re all in the kitchen, Kylie. Head that way.” He looked with interest at what she carried. “And try to save me a slice of that banana bread. It smells great.”
“Will do,” she promised, going to the kitchen.
Everyone greeted her, and Layne put her to work.
“We’re having a breakfast supper tonight,” their hostess said. “I’m on scrambled eggs. I’ve got cheese to put in them. I’ll add green peppers and onions, if that’s okay with everyone.”
“Good with me,” Piper said, and Kylie and Mila nodded in agreement.
“Mila, you take frying the bacon. Piper, toast the bagels and get out butter and cream cheese for those. Kylie, there’s a huge bowl of fruit in the fridge. Get it and set the table.”
“On it,” she said.
The four women moved into action, and ten minutes later, they were able to sit down to dinner.
“I guess I didn’t need to bring banana bread since you already had bagels,” she told Layne.
“Nope. I specifically asked you to bring it because I consider that dessert,” her friend said, pouring tall glasses of OJ for everyone and sliding them across the table.
“Are you all packed?” Mila asked Piper.
“Pretty much. I can’t take a lot with me because I’ll be living with two others. Space will be tight. It doesn’t matter. I don’t have much as it is.”
“I’ve never been to New York,” Kylie said.
“Maybe you can come and see me,” Piper said excitedly. “Or you told us you were job hunting. It would be fabulous if you actually got a job there.”
“We could be roomies,” she joked, thinking how much fun that would actually be.
Dinner passed quickly, and Kylie sliced the banana bread at the end, letting that top off their meal.
Her three friends relived some of their childhood antics, and Kylie felt blessed that this circle of friends had taken her in.
She had found it hard to trust others after her experience with Brady, but these women had been nothing but open and friendly.
“Are you still planning to work through high season?” Mila asked her.
“Yes. Our charters are booked solid through Labor Day. After that, things cool down a bit. I plan to start actively interviewing then.”
“Do you have any idea what you’d like to do?” Layne asked.
“I’d be most comfortable in advertising or even marketing, but I’m going to keep an open mind. If I’m offered something that sounds interesting and challenging, I’ll go for it.”
Piper sighed. “I have no idea if I’ll land a role on Broadway.
Or even off-Broadway. Acting is an odd occupation.
Physically, you have to fit a role to read for.
I can hear being told I’m too old or too young.
Too fat or too thin. Too short or too tall.
That my hair is too dark or too long. It’s hard to get your foot in the door, then once you do, you have so much competition. ”
“I’ve seen you on stage,” Layne said. “You’ve got talent, Piper. Real talent. I have faith that once you start auditioning, the right role is going to come along, and you’ll be a perfect match for it. I promise Keaton and I will fly to New York to see you perform.”
“I’d like to say the same, but I think I’ll be tied down for a while,” Mila said, rubbing her belly. “It’s been great being a mom to Lily, but now we’ll have a newborn in the house. I think our lives are going to become pretty chaotic.”
“Not so chaotic that we can’t FaceTime,” Piper said. “Remember, once I’m settled and Kylie is, too, we need to set up a regular time to talk. At least once a month.”
They finished eating and cleared the table, dishes going in the dishwasher.
“I keep thinking of things I should’ve done,” Piper said looking a bit sad. “Go to the beach one more time. Visit the shops on the square. Eat at Driftwood Diner.”
“We’ve been twice since Cinda took over,” Layne said. “The food is still terrific, and she’s added some fabulous items to the menu.”
Kylie hadn’t gone since the diner had reopened under new management. She supposed she would have felt funny, eating there, knowing Zane owned the establishment.
“Mom said that Neville and Nellie are in San Francisco,” Mila said. “And loving it. Nellie’s created an Insta account, and she’s been posting pictures like crazy. I followed her. So did Carson.”
She didn’t think she could do that, afraid that eventually she would see pictures of Zane. Kylie had avoided talking about him. Her heart still ached, and her feelings were raw after his exit from the Bay and her life.
“Sorry, but I need to leave,” Mila said. “Not only am I tired, but I’m back in school and volleyball practice. I want to go home and have Carson rub my feet as I fall asleep.”
Hugs were exchanged, and Layne walked them to the door. “Thanks for coming, everyone.” She took Kylie’s hand, and the others reached out, forming a circle.
“To the Four Musketeers,” Piper said. “You’re our fourth, Kylie. Our D’Artagnan.”
Tears blurred her vision. “Thank you all. You’ve made my time being back in the Bay so much better.”
She went to her car and used a tissue to wipe her eyes before blowing her nose.
Mila tooted her horn as she pulled away, and Kylie waved at her.
It was nice having friends she could count on.
Her love life might be woefully empty, but the bonds she had formed with these three women would go on, hopefully for many years to come.
Once she returned home and had changed into pajamas, Kylie checked her email. She was surprised to find one from none other than Alexander Wagner and opened it with trepidation.
Kylie –
Ran across your résumé on LinkedIn and was surprised you were open to leaving the Bay and your family’s business. I know talent when I see it, and I would like to find a place for you at Wagner Enterprises.
Please call me to set up an interview. I’m up by 5AM my time, so feel free to reach out before you take out a charter for the day.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Alexander
Stunned, she read the contents of the email again.
Had Zane prompted his dad to contact her?
No, her gut told her that Zane knew nothing about this. If he did, he would have discouraged his father from wanting to give her a job.
Intrigue filled her. Working at a huge company such as Wagner Enterprises would be thrilling.
At the same time, she wanted nothing to do with Zane.
Her heart was still shattered by his leaving.
Kylie couldn’t take seeing him on a daily basis.
Then again, Alexander’s offer of a job could be at any of his resorts around the world, not in the corporate headquarters in New York.
Though it might be unwise, nevertheless, she was going to make contact with the company’s CEO, just to see what he might offer.
Besides, it had been years since she had interviewed, and she was sorely out of practice.
Kylie would look upon this as an opportunity to practice her pitch to other prospective employers down the line.
She composed a quick reply.
Alexander –
I would love to speak with you about opportunities within Wagner Enterprises. If I’m not a good fit for what you have in mind, perhaps you could steer me in the right direction as I transition back into the corporate world.
I will touch base with you tomorrow morning in order to set up a time to talk.
Kylie
It was hard to fall asleep, but she did so.
When her alarm went off, she practically leapt from the bed.
She had written down the phone number included beneath Alexander’s email signature.
Before she called him, though, she decided to dress and put on a bit of makeup.
If it were a direct line and he wanted to speak by Zoom or FaceTime, even having someone else sit in, she wanted to look her best.
Once she looked presentable she dialed the number. Alexander picked up on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Alexander. It’s Kylie Mayfield.”
“Kylie, so good to hear from you. I received your email reply. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.”
“Before we continue, I’d like to ask if Zane asked you to set up this opportunity.”
“No, not at all. In fact, he doesn’t even know about it. He’s been out of the office for about three weeks. In Brazil and now Luxembourg. Frankly, I’m not certain when he’ll be back in New York.”
“Thank you for being honest with me. I didn’t want your offer to speak with me about employment be something he insisted upon.”
“While my son did tell me how sharp you were, he never mentioned anything about bringing you onboard.” Alexander paused. “Would that be a problem?”
Not wanting to squash this opportunity, she avoided his question and said, “I’d be happy to talk with you at your convenience once high season is over.
I’m afraid I’m working charters daily for the next three weeks.
If this can’t wait and you decide to move in another direction, I completely understand. ”
“I don’t have a particular position in mind,” he admitted. “But I’ve always had a good feel about people, and my gut tells me you’re talented and an innovator. I assume high season ends with Labor Day weekend.”
“It does. I can make myself available any time after that. I can Zoom with your HR director or any department head. Any day. Any time.”
“No, I’d like you to come to Manhattan,” Alexander said. “How about the day after Labor Day?”
Excitement rippled through her, and she had to take a calming breath before she said, “I’d be happy to do that.”
“I’ll pass along your number to my assistant. She’ll book a flight from Corpus on the Tuesday after Labor Day. There isn’t anything direct, so you’ll probably connect in Houston or Dallas. We can meet on Wednesday. That way, you’ll be rested after a long day in the air.”
“That sounds wonderful, Alexander. Thank you for this opportunity.”
“Looking forward to picking your brain, Kylie. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
She put down her phone, mixed emotions running through her.
It would be wonderful to take her first trip to New York, as well as interview with the CEO of Wagner Enterprises.
Then again, she dreaded running into Zane if he happened to be in the office at the same time she was.
During her interview, she would have to let Alexander know that it would be an uncomfortable situation if she and Zane had to work together.
Maybe he would have some position in mind somewhere besides the corporate office.
Kylie changed into something more appropriate to wear on today’s charter. She would have plenty of time to think between now and Labor Day, as well as set up other interviews with potential employers.
Things were definitely looking up.