I usually tell Dad everything, but in this instance, I wanted to surprise him if I got the gig, and Mom happily agreed. Though admittedly she expects the location to put a slight damper on the surprise. Dad always hoped that if Nathan and I broke up,I’d move back to Jacksonville, and he’s been waiting for me to announce my homecoming since I told them the news.
Mom doesn’t mind though. She’s strict, but she’s always been supportive of my dreams, wherever they may take me.
After showing me her room, Lucy knocks on the door labeled medical office, and a throat clears on the other side of the threshold, moments before Shaylee calls me in. “I’m decent,” she sings, and I immediately like her.
Lucy opens the door and we’re greeted by a smiling Shaylee. “Sorry, I was going to open up for you, but I lied. I wasnotdecent; I had a piece of parsley stuck in my tooth. All good now. Come on in. Blair, it’s lovely to meet you.” She holds out her hand for me to shake. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
The clichedall good thingsrests on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it back, shaking her hand with a warm smile of my own. “Thank you, I’m happy to be here.”
Dressed in a patterned, yellow knee-length dress and a long cobalt-blue blazer, Shaylee gives off a vintage vibe. One that’s laid-back and caring, while her neat desk, ordered color-coded shelves, and pristine white coat hanging off a wrought iron rack tell me she’s organized, knows what she wants, and gets things done.Thator she’s incredibly good at faking it until you make it.
Lucy and I follow Shaylee inside and she gestures for us to take a seat, the chairs arranged around her desk rather than in a them versus me situation, easing my tension just that little bit more.
We chat about the unseasonable weather before we’re joined by Heartwood’s new general manager, Graham, a giant of a man with a shaved head and round glasses that he has to keep pushing up his nose. All three of them make me feel incredibly comfortable. There’s a warmth in the air, and it almost borders on familiarity, yet I’ve never met any of them, except Lucy, but that was only yesterday.
I want to say it feels like they’re my people with the way they light up when they talk about the team. Even Shaylee. Lucy claimed she knew nothing about football, but there’s a pride in her voice when she talks about the players, and I know with absolute certainty that I’ve found my place.
I just have to hope they feel the same.
No. Not hope. I spent the better part of my life as the optimist among my friends and family, but it took one spring break to take it all away. Now I want it back. I’m reclaiming my superpower. I’ve continued to be optimistic when it comes to the people around me, but whenever I think of myself, a darkness creeps in.
And that ends today.
I will get this job.
I have this job already.
I’m perfect for the role and they know it.
We just have to make it official.
“And that’s it. Do you have any questions before we wrap up?” Shaylee grins and my heart seizes. I always hate this part. But in this case, I have one.
“If you’re concerned about my lack of experience in California, is there an extra course I can do, or a certificate to ease your mind?”
In Florida, I only had one interview before I got a job straight out of college, and within a year, I was promoted. But here…I can’t even elicit a smile most of the time, this interview aside.
Graham starts shaking his head as Shaylee responds. “That’s not an issue. I came from Washington State myself, and our second nurse, who’ll be working the days that you’re rostered off, came from Colorado.”
“Not to mention, I’m from Boston,” Graham announces. “We don’t tend to look at where you’re from when we hire. It’s all about finding the right person for the role.”
I hold back a sigh. “Great. I love that.”
“Great. Well, Lucy and Graham have to head back to their official duties, but I’d love to continue our chat if you don’t have to run off. Just a little getting-to-know-you time.”
“Of course.” My voice lifts and even I can hear the nerves lacing my tone.
Shaylee laughs, her expression so full of glee that her smile reaches the faint wrinkles beside her eyes. “Don’t worry, I just want to know your favorite TV shows, whether or not you like rom-com movies, and what music you like playing while you work.”
“Oh.” My sigh finally releases. “That I can do. But if you don’t like rom-coms, I’m going to have to cut this short.”
Lucy snorts and even Graham chuckles, while Shaylee stares at me deadpan. I’m worried I’ve said the wrong thing until she bursts out laughing. “Doesn’t everyone?”
A giddiness fills me and I laugh along with her.
Yep. I’ve definitely found my place.
It’s another thirty minutes until I finish with Shaylee, and I hold my breath as I press through the door to exit, stifling my excitement until I get to Zane’s car.
