Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Yeah.”
“Sterling?”
“Mmm?”
“I’m sorry. I should have been honest with you from the beginning. I didn’t lie, and really, I just omitted the interviews. I am spending the day with my mom,” I remind him.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
“No. I’m not mad at you.”
I exhale loudly. “That’s a huge weight off my shoulders.”
“What are you doing with your mom?” he asks.
“Lunch, pedicures, and some shopping. My dad’s on a golfing trip with some buddies, so she’s home alone this weekend.”
“It’s good that you’re spending time with her.”
“Even though you don’t get to see me?”
“I saw you. I held you. It’s not enough, but it will hold me over. Enjoy your day with your mom, and the offer stands for me to come to you, or you can come to my place. Just let me know.”
“Don’t you have plans tonight?”
“Nah. I’m sure I’ll end up with one or more of my brothers, but I’d rather be with you.”
Be still my heart.
“Sterling?”
“Alyssa?”
“I miss you too.”
He sucks in a sharp breath. “I needed to hear that. Let me know how it goes.”
“I will. Talk soon.”
“Talk soon,” he repeats, and ends the call.
I feel so much better that he knows the truth. Now I just have one confession hanging over my head.
“Well?” Mom asks once I’m seated across from her at the restaurant.
“The bank is a no-go. It’s a pay cut by a couple of dollars, and I just didn’t get a good vibe. The salon has potential. Everyone that I met was really nice. The pay is the same as what I’m at now. It means more gas, time, and wear and tear on my car to consider.” My phone vibrates, and I know it’s Sterling. “Sorry. It’s Sterling. I texted him an update when I got here.”
“Go ahead.” Mom smiles. “I’m going to run to the restroom. Order me a lemonade.”
I nod and pull up Sterling’s message.
Sterling: At least one of them has potential. What can I do to help you with this?
This man and his huge heart. Every single day it’s something he says or does that makes me fall even more in love with him, something I wouldn’t have thought possible.
Me: You’re sweet. Honestly, I don’t think anything. I just need to decide.
Me: Besides, neither one of them officially offered me a position.
Sterling: We both know you nailed both interviews. They’re going to call.
Me: Maybe. I’m pretty sure that even if the bank calls, I’m going to pass.
Sterling: ???
Me: Pay cut, the extra drive, time, wear and tear on my car, and I just didn’t get a good vibe.
Sterling: Go with your gut, Tink.
Me: Yeah, the bank is a no.
Sterling: Are you still looking at other options? Maybe something will open up in Willow River or Harris?
I can hear the hope through his words. He’s trying to be supportive, but I know him. He’s hoping, like hell, another option presents itself.
Me: Definitely. I’d love to find something closer to home.
Sterling: I’d love that too.
Me: What are you doing?
He sends back a picture of Remi sleeping on his chest, and my heart melts, seeing the smile on his face. He’s so good with his nieces.
Sterling: Brooks and Palmer went to the grocery store to grab lunch. He called asking how breakfast was and was giving me shit about also taking his daughter for breakfast dates when she was older. We all know I will. Anyway, I stopped and sent them packing so I could have some Remi and Uncle Sterling time.
His message is followed by three more pictures. All three of Remi smiling. I can only imagine the faces he was making at her to make that happen.
Me: You’re good with her.
Sterling: Good practice for when I have my own.
If I’m lucky, it’ll be with me. Mom slides back into her seat, so I wrap up my text.
Me: At lunch with Mom. Text later.
Sterling: Tell her I said hello. Be safe and have fun.
Me: Will do.
I slide my phone back into my purse just as the waiter approaches. We order our drinks and an appetizer while we study the menu.
“What does Sterling think?” Mom asks.
“He’s still hoping something closer to home will come up. Harris or Willow River.”
“Atlanta is only forty minutes from Dad and me now that we’re living in Harris.”
“Yeah, but still, something not in Atlanta would be ideal.”
“It will all work out,” she says.
“It will. They might not even offer me the jobs, so I’m not going to worry or think about it until the time comes.”
“Good plan,” Mom says as the waiter approaches with our drinks. We both order grilled chicken salads. “Now, tell me when you’re going to admit that you’re in love with your best friend.” she states, taking a sip of her lemonade.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to deny it, but she’s my mom. She knows when I’m lying. “I do love him. I’m going to tell him. I have a plan. We have just been friends,” I tell her. “The last couple of months, things have been different. There has been this… connection that’s even deeper than we’ve shared before. And the chemistry… it’s there.”