“I thought you loved your job at the preschool. I know it wasn’t what you went to school for. But it worked perfectly so you could have Jonah with you.”
“The building had some violations, and we had to close,” she said miserably. “Now everyone’s scrambling to find childcare for their kids, and I’m scrambling for that and for a new job. I honestly don’t know what to do. Everything just feels…heavy. I’m alone and overwhelmed, and…” She sighed even as she fought the fresh wave of tears stinging her eyes.
“Where’s your family? Can’t your parents help with Jonah?”
“Sadly, no. They recently bought a retirement home down in Florida in one of those fifty-five and over communities, so we can’t even go with them.”
“Oh, wow. Sorry.”
“You and me both. And Adam’s family is just as awful as he is, and they’ve never shown any interest in Jonah, so I wouldn’t even consider asking them for help.”
“Okay…” Kelsey paused. “So if your family moved away and you don’t have Adam to contend with, what’s keeping you in Springfield?”
“Nothing, but…it’s all I can afford right now. In a perfect world, I’d find a job that helped with housing and childcare, but I don’t think that exists.” She sighed. “But enough about me and my miserable life, how are you? How’s Jayce? The wedding’s coming up, right?”
“You know it is, and I really wish you were going to be there. You’re my best friend. I need you there, Lex. Please reconsider. I’ll cover all of your expenses.”
“We’ve been over this. I can’t let you do that.” And it killed her to even say it. More than anything, she wanted to be there to see the two of them finally get married. It made her heart so happy that her bestie was getting her happily ever after with the first boy she ever loved.
Unlike me…
“But I want to,” Kelsey argued lightly. “There’s no one else I want for a maid of honor. Now you’re essentially forcing me to pick someone else, and it just doesn’t feel right. Plus, you’d get to see the amazing transformation of the resort! I’m telling you, it’s so much better than I ever even imagined! Walker and the guys have done an incredible job.”
“I’m sure they have. You’ll have to send me some pictures.”
The Lakeview Harbor Resort was her family’s favorite vacation destination, and she grew up making some of the best memories there.
Until Connor Winslowe pretty much crushed all her dreams.
They had been childhood sweethearts even though they didn’t live anywhere near each other. They only had those summer vacations, but those were everything to her. She always thought that someday the two of them would get married and have babies and be the happiest people in the world. Then, the summer right before they turned seventeen, Connor had broken up with her. She’d been devastated, confused, and just plain angry, but he moved on and had a fabulous life without her.
The bastard.
That was another reason she didn’t want to go to the wedding. She’d have to see him since he was now one of the owners and the one responsible for doing all the food for the reception.
I’d rather starve.
“You know…I have an idea that I think would be an answer to all your prayers,” Kelsey said, interrupting her thoughts.
“Really?”
“Yup! I think you need to come to the wedding and apply for a job at the resort! How great would that be?”
She nearly choked on her own saliva. “Are you out of your ever-loving mind? Why would I want to do something like that? Are you forgetting that I have a history with one of the owners and that I would then have to see him all the time if I worked there? I mean…what are you even thinking, Kelsey? That’s just cruel.”
“Okay, I knew you’d use that as an excuse, but Connor’s not going to be working at the resort for long. Last I heard, he was planning on opening a restaurant in town, and he’s building a house too, so I doubt your paths would cross at all. And think about it. If you worked there, Jonah could be in all the children’s programs that they offer. Real estate up in Harbortown is cheap, and you’d be able to find affordable housing or even ask about the possibility of staff housing. Maybe one of the cabins? Heck, we have one that’s reserved for me and Jayce, and it’s a two-bedroom one, but we’d gladly let you and Jonah stay in it until you get on your feet.”
Lexi shook her head. “I don’t think so. I just don’t see myself going to work for…well…any of them.”
“It’s just Connor that you have an issue with. Walker, Slater, Axel, and Milo are all great guys. Hell, if you reached out, I’m sure Milo would help you get a job too. He owns a major tech corporation and you know he’d hire you in a second.”
“To do what? I’ll admit I was good with tech stuff and all that when I was in college, but I never got to put it to use.”
“I’m just throwing out ideas because I want to help you.”
“I know, and I really appreciate it. I’m just…like I said, I’m overwhelmed, and every suggestion right now is going to only add to it.”
“I’m not giving up on this idea,” Kelsey said after a moment. “We’re all your friends, and we all want to help you. I know if I called Walker right now, or his fiancée Harlow, they’d have a job for you to start right away.”
