In a nutshell, he wants me to come back. He's even offering me my dream job, that of Executive Creative Director.
I drop to the sand with a bump, memories of my time with the agency rushing back. The impossible deadlines, the politics. Of never feeling like I belonged. It doesn't take much reflection to realize I'd been miserable.
And for a long time, too. Can I face that way of life again?
"Hah, life?!" I hadn't had a life thanks to the hours I'd worked. My friend circle restricted to anyone at work who wasn't avoiding me, after I'd received the kiss of death from Jason.
And yet, isn't the ECD job what I've been working toward all these years? What I've been striving for? I'd be nuts to turn it down.
This has me checking the email from Brian Mackey again. While he's offered me my dream job, there's nothing in there about what Jason is up to. I snort out in horrified laughter at the idea of the jerk having to report to me.
The opportunity for payback is tempting. But tempting enough to leave Coogan's Break where I've felt like I belong?
And then I remember Zac, and that woman, at the hardware store. The thought of running into them whenever I'm out and about is enough to have stomach acid clawing at my throat.
How dare he take advantage of my good nature when he's seeing someone else? My emotions in disarray, my reply to the company president's email is brief, almost rude.
Thanks for the offer.
Before I take it further,
what happened to Jason?
I'd never have replied to him this way in the past, not even bothering with kind regards as I always would. But that was before he'd promoted the less-qualified Jason over me, putting the brakes on my career.
The injustice of this, coupled with finding out Zac is cheating on me, and I'm too angry to respond rationally. The closer I get to home, the angrier I am.
Angry enough that I don't slow when I see Zac's truck in the driveway, screeching to a halt next to it. As I get out of my car, I mutter to myself, practicing what I'll say to him.
However, the moment I open the front door, I lose the ability to speak. While Zac sits on the bottom step of the staircase, the woman I'd seen him with earlier leans against the newel post.
And poke me in the eye with a stick if she isn't even more stunning up close.
I'd race upstairs and lock myself in our—make that my—bedroom, but with Zac blocking my escape route, that's not possible. Instead, I'm rooted to the spot, my breathing shallow, my heart faltering in my chest.
Zac gets to his feet, running his hands down the front of his jeans. "Kelly, it's not what it looks like. I'd like you to meet Audrey, my sister."
I'm deciding whether to believe this, when a man appears from the kitchen, who is everything Zac isn't. The guy looks like he took a wrong turn at an accountancy conference.
"And I'm Clive, her husband." As if sensing my incredulity, he shrugs, as if to say he can't believe he snared a woman that gorgeous, either.
If I still had doubts, Audrey then holds her hand up, flashing a stunning solitaire on her slender ring finger.
Okay, now I'm lost for words. Not only is Zac not cheating on me, there's also the lure of my dream job to consider. It would be nice if I could have it all, but I can't.
If I knew Zac loved me in return, it would be a simple decision. But, am I willing to say no to the job of a lifetime for a man who's here for a good time, and not for a long time?
ZAC
Kelly appears stunned, just as I'd been when I ran into my older sister at the hardware store. I hadn't seen her in years. Ever since my folks caught her in their bed half-naked and drinking beer with a guy who was covered in tats.
The old man had blown a gasket and told her to get up and make herself decent. When she hadn't jumped to do his bidding, instead snuggling up to her boyfriend, dad lost it.
He'd called her every name under the sun while chucking all her stuff out in the front yard.
I think he's come to regret it over the years, but with Audrey disappearing without trace, we'd all given up hope of ever seeing her again. It had taken her coming up to me and putting her hand on my chest like she used to when we were little for me to recognize her.
She's changed. We've all changed. Most of all, my dad, who I know, will be pleased to see her, although Audrey is skeptical.
