Page 51 of Make It Last

I paused. “Um… actually, no. I don’t.”

“Exactly. So why not give Willow Brook a chance?”

My mouth fell open before I snapped it shut. “I have to find work.”

“I have a job for you.”

“You have a job for me? How do you even know what I do?” I sputtered.

“You mentioned you did executive assistant stuff. Tate’s renovating the old ski resort outside of town. You’re detail-oriented, competent, and smart. I need someone I can trust.” She held my gaze, hers clear and steady. “My gut says you’d kick ass at this.”

“I would kick ass at that!” I blurted, grinning before I could stop myself.

Josie’s eyes sparkled. “So you’ll think about it?”

“I will think about it,” I said, my tone wondering. “It would be a big change. But yes, I’ll think about it.”

“All right,” Josie said with a satisfied nod. “So then, what that means is you might be here long enough to help Growly feel settled and safe. You could even adopt.”

“Adopt him?” I blinked. “I’ve never had a pet.”

“Never?” Josie looked genuinely surprised.

“Never. Just wasn’t in the cards for me.” I didn’t want to get into the details.

We both looked over at Growly. He’d actually moved from the very back of his little carrier to the front and was peering out cautiously.

“I think I should go, so he has time to get adjusted to you. It’ll be great. Just you and him,” Josie announced. I opened my mouth to say something, but she read my expression before I could. “Ohhh… wait. Is somebody coming over?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Why are you asking me that?” My cheeks burned.

“I saw Tanner’s truck here the other night.”

“Oh, that’s right, you live just down the road,” I replied, willing the heat to dissipate from my cheeks.

She grinned. “So maybe he’ll bring you dinner again.”

I bit my lip. “Maybe he will.”

“Is he bringing you dinner again?” she pressed, exasperated now. “You could just be specific.”

“Okay, fine.” I threw my hands in the air. “He’s bringing me pizza.”

“Awesome.” She beamed. “Growly will be fine around Tanner.”

“How do you know that?”

“Tanner is as steady as a person can be. Animals like that.”

“Am I steady?” I asked quietly. I felt anything but. The last year of my life had felt like a nightmare reality show with someone yanking the boards out from under me, one at a time. Every time I’d start to regain balance, another one would go.

Josie’s expression softened. She held my gaze. “Don’t doubt yourself so much. You’re awesome.”

“You hardly know me, Josie.”

“I’m a pretty good judge of character. Holly thinks you’re awesome too, and she spent a lot of time with you in the hospital.”

“Whatever.” Despite my doubts and bone-deep insecurities, I did trust myself on one front: I was a good friend, and I had good friends. That mattered.