“What?”
She shrugged. “Work part-time. You still help give Sue some wiggle room with hours that work for you. And I know you don’t know all the folks who work there well yet, but there are many that only work there part-time. Some just work during tax season, but several are part-time all year because that’s what they prefer. They pay into the health insurance that Sue provides for full-time workers. She also pays part of it for her part-time folks. Her belief is that if she creates a position that meets your needs, you’re happier and do better work.”
My mind was whirling. I could have a stable salary, albeit half of what I was used to, but something I could count on, and it could cushion the up-and-down nature of publishing plus give me more time to write. I could have health insurance. Could itbe so easy? “Do you think she’d be interested in that kind of arrangement?”
“I can almost guarantee it, but you also have an ace up your sleeve,” Lou said with a knowing smile.
“What?”
Her smile widened. “Sue is a huge fan of the romance author Jules Jenkins.”
“What?” My voice was far too loud for this space.
Lou laughed a huge belly laugh. “Yep, she’s who recommended your first book to the book club and she is also a member. Didn’t you see her at the all-male revue the other night?”
I held up my hand. “We don’t speak of that night ever.”
My mom looked to Lou with a knowing look. “Tell me later?”
“Absolutely.”
“So we’re good?” Mom asked.
“We’re good,” I said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all sooner.”
Mom got up and came around the table, pulling me into her arms. “We know now, baby girl. And we are so proud of you.”
“Let’s eat,” said Lou, rubbing her hands together as she surveyed the buffet of goodness.
Ivy poked her head in the kitchen. “Are you all done?”
I laughed. “Yes, sorry you all had to vacate and I’ve hijacked the day. We need to celebrate the birthday girl and open some presents.”
Ivy shook her head. “No worries about that. Addie is happy with any party with donuts, and we make the birthday-party idea low-key so she doesn’t become a monster about it. There isn’t even a cake, just some gifts to open in a few. However… can we now talk about you doing a signing at the bookstore? Because Jules, my friend, I have plans for you, girl.”
Noah came up behind me and whispered in my ear, “I think it’s your turn to brace.”
I gave him a huge smile. Ivy could make the plans she wanted; I didn’t care. People knew now about my writing, they were all happy for me, and I felt free.
Chapter 28
Darkest of Days
Noah
I sat in front of my computer, impatiently checking the time as I waited for the video call to start. My boss had said we needed to do a quick meeting today because she wanted to run something by me. I’d rearranged my day, and I was hoping to get this over with quickly so I could run some errands before I picked up Addie from school.
I thought of Jules and wondered if I could see her tonight. She’d been scarce this week because her parents were staying at her place and Addie was at mine. We still found the time to talk via text, but I knew we needed to see each other face-to-face, or at least I did. After being together for a week straight, time apart like this felt like too much distance.
We’d agreed we were trying something, but it felt like we hadn’t had a conversation we needed to. We were on the same page, right? I’d texted this morning to see how long her parents were going to be in town and if they all wanted to come to my place to have dinner with us, but I hadn’t heard back from her, which was unusual. I glanced at my phone, but still no reply.
I was just picking it up to send her another message when my monitor showed the call starting, so I put my phone to theside. Karen’s face came on the screen as I made sure my mic and video were all set. I was taken aback by her appearance. She had shadows under her eyes and looked strung out, not at all like herself.
“Hey, Karen, you okay?”
We’d worked closely together for years, and I’d never seen her like this. She was typically unflappable and always put together.
Karen sighed, exhaustion visible even through the screen. “Noah, I’m cutting to the chase because we share a distaste for bullshit.”
