Page 80 of The Game Changer
The moment she sees me, her eyes narrow into slits, even as she continues whatever conversation she’s in the middle of.
Whatever, she can glare at me all she wants. There’s absolutely no reason we should have to interact at all. And even if we do, what was a ploy to get her to leave Luca alone the day we first met is now reality. She can’t touch me.
Turning my back on her, I make my way over to a pair of women I recognize as owning one of the local fitness studios. I highly doubt they need someone like me since Juniper looked into the classes and found out they’re so popular there’s often a waitlist, but still. A connection is a connection.
But that’s a dead end as well. They’re lovelywomen, and I’m grateful to accept the free one-week pass they offer for me to come and try out some classes, but a marketing expert is not something they need.
It’s not something anyone in this town needs, apparently.
Except for the man I’m dating.
As Juniper and I walk out of the restaurant after the luncheon is over, my mood is gloomy.
“Okay. We’re going to Dot’s for milkshakes, no arguing.” She threads her arm through mine and leads me to her car.
“I don’t know, Juni. I should just go home. Charlie’s got his big game tomorrow, and I’m tired and?—”
“Stop. You’re spiraling, babe. Let’s sit for a few minutes over creamy chocolate shakes and make a plan.”
By now, we’ve reached her car, but I don’t open my door, instead staring at her over the hood of the car. “What plan is there to make? There’s literally no work for me in this town. I’ve sent out resumes and queries to dozens of businesses between here and Dogwood Cove. No one is hiring right now.”
“You could always come and work with me, I could use some help.”
I laugh, but it’s hollow sounding. “I love you, Juniper, but caring for injured owls and rescuing raccoons is not my area of expertise.”
Juniper just shrugs and opens her door. “It wasn’t mine, either. I was going to be a nurse, remember?”
Heaving a sigh, I follow her into the car, letting my head thump against the headrest before I answer. “Yeah,but you can’t stand the sight of vomit, so that was never going to work out.”
“True. And I’m happier with my animals,” she says brightly, steering her car into traffic, in the direction of the diner.
I let her keep up a stream of chatter the entire way there. I really should insist she take me home, Lord knows I’m not good company right now.
The job search has been the primary thing on my mind, that’s for sure. But then, out of the blue, Luca announced two days ago that he needed to go to Toronto for something. He was pretty evasive and vague when I asked why, saying something about seeing his old mentor.
It still annoys me that he wouldn’t tell me the whole truth. He left early this morning, and all I’ve heard since then is a quick text to let me know he arrived safely. Adding onto my annoyance with life in general, my period showed up today, two days early.
I’m a real treat to be around.
Maybe that’s why I’m not getting anywhere on the job front, maybe everyone can sense I’m a hormonal grumpy beast right now.
“Earth to Isla, we’re here.”
I blink and look at Juni, then out the window, where sure enough, we’re parked in front of Dot’s Diner.
“Sorry,” I say as we get out of the car. “My head is a mess right now.”
Juniper joins me on the sidewalk and bumps me with her hip. “It’s all good. C’mon, milkshakes are on me.”
Inside, the bright colours and sounds of the diner dolittle to improve my mood. I let Juni guide me over to a booth and take a seat.
“Hi girlies, what can I get for ya?” Dot’s smiling face falls as soon as she looks at me. “Uh-oh. Isla, hon, what’s got you so glum?”
“Job woes, man trouble, and Aunt Flo visiting.” Juni ticks them off, one by one, in a concise summary of my current predicament. “We need chocolate shakes with extra whipped cream.”
“I’m on it.” Dot’s hand lightly squeezes my arm as she bustles away. She’s back before long, setting down two large old-fashioned fountain glasses, full to the brim with creamy chocolate milkshakes.
“Thanks, Dottie,” I say, mustering a smile.
