I let out a breath, tracing the rim of my glass with my fingertip.“Not as bad as yours, by the sounds of it.”
His eyebrows lift slightly.“What do you mean?”
“Well,” I start.“You know how mundane and repetitive my work is.Lots of talk about the animals, local businesses, or who’s moved into town.”We exchange a knowing smile at that.“But today, I found out there’s competition for the promotion I’ve been going for.”
Adrian’s expression stills.He stays silent, waiting for me to continue.
“It’s someone from out of town,” I say, my voice quieter now.“From The Boston Times.They’re a much better fit on paper.”
The words taste bitter.I think about what this means.Bills are piling up faster than I can keep track.
Adrian reaches across the table, his fingers covering mine in a firm touch.A jolt rushes through me as our eyes connect.
“I promise my interview will give you an advantage,” he assures me.“I’ll tell you everything.I’ll give you a good photo.I’ll make sure it’s better than anything they could possibly submit.”His fingers tighten slightly in a comforting way.“I bet you’ll get the promotion.”
My breath catches from his touch.The intensity in his gaze makes it impossible to look away.I want to believe him.I need to believe him.“I hope you’re right.”
“Everything will be fine.It’ll all work out.”His hand still rests over mine.
A flicker of unease twists in my chest.I glance down at our hands, suddenly aware of how it must look.The gossip column.The town’s eyes.The whispers.
With reluctance, I reach for my glass, forcing him to let go.He does, his hand retracting, but not before his fingers skim lightly over mine in a way that sends a shiver down my spine.
Leon arrives with our snacks, setting the plates between us, breaking the moment.Adrian shifts, grabbing his beer again, and I focus on a handful of chips, suddenly grateful for something else to do with my hands.
“I honestly don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t get the promotion,” I admit once Leon is gone.It’s like I’m acknowledging defeat before the fight is even over.I can’t say I haven’t thought about finding another job that pays better.But I love what I do, and the thought of giving that up makes me sad.“I’m ready to move up, especially because I need it for the sake of my family, but I don’t have any options outside of the promotion.It’s not like there’s another newspaper to apply to if I want to stay in Pulse Point, and I do want to stay here.I don’t know.Maybe something else will become available soon.A full-time position.”
Adrian frowns.“Oh, so it’s not a full-time role?”
I shake my head.“No.Luna wants to do fewer days, so she’s looking for someone to share her position.”
“You deserve a full-time promotion,” he says, voice firm.“It’d be tough bouncing between the two roles.”
“I know,” I sigh.“But I’ll take anything right now just for a little extra money.”
“If you need help, I have a friend, Evan, in New York who owns a media company.”
As lovely an offer as that is, I couldn’t move to New York.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll see how I go with Luna first.”
We share a look, one that shifts something between us.
I’m about to spark up a new conversation… something lighter, like the upcoming fundraiser, because I can’t believe that I just shared so much with him.I never do that.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Peri and Candyce from high school, weaving through the crowd toward our table, their eyes already zeroed in on Adrian with obvious interest.My heart plummets.I know that look.Candyce especially has a reputation for being bold with attractive men, and Peri always follows her lead.They’re acquaintances more than friends.The kind of people who are friendly enough, but will step over you for what they want.
“Oh my God, is this the infamous doctor?”Candyce says, not even glancing at me as she slides up to our table.“I’m Candyce, and this is Peri.We’ve heard so much about you.”
I don’t understand the nausea in my stomach or the way my hands clench under the table.He’s not mine, but still, I don’t like this.
They openly flirt.Adrian remains polite, offering small smiles, answering their questions with just enough effort to be kind but not enough to encourage.His eyes flick to me between responses, as if checking to see how I’m handling it.His body remains turned toward me, his posture relaxed but away from them.I can tell he’s uninterested, even if they don’t see it.
“Are you single, Adrian?”Candyce asks in a sultry voice, completely ignoring my presence.
“We were actually just finishing up,” Adrian says, gesturing toward me.“Having a work conversation.”
Candyce finally acknowledges me with a dismissive glance.“Oh, right.The journalist.”The way she says it makes it sound like a hobby rather than a profession.
