Page 98 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve

Both women frowned as they studied me, and I fought the urge to look away. Finally, Mari said, “I don’t think you can avoid each other forever. Even if you didn’t both work for us, you know how small this town is.”

I inhaled sharply. “You said ‘avoid each other’—do you meanhe’savoidingmetoo?”

Hazel threw up her hands. “I don’t know. He’s impossible to read and obviously didn’t tell us a darn thing. But he’s been working from home all week. And when we asked him to pass along a message to you, he made up some weird excuses.”

“Not like him at all,” Mari said with a shrug. “But you know that, Roxy.”

What did that mean?

Was he angry with me for some reason? Was he embarrassed? Was he—

You need to stop.

I took a few steadying breaths. “Well, speaking of work, thank you for giving me the time off. What’s next week’s schedule look like? I’m sorry I haven’t checked my phone or computer for a few days.” This was kind of a lie—I hadn’tchecked it all week, since their last call.

“Don’t worry about it. I can manage my own schedule for a week or two.” Hazel smiled but then looked down at her nails. “I’m actually thinking of hiring an assistant.”

My heart thudded in my chest. “What?My job?”

She shrugged. “You don’t really want to be my assistant.”

“I—I do. I … enjoy the job,” I sputtered. “It’s a privilege.”

Hazel rolled her eyes. “You don’t love it. I can tell. Everyone can.”

Was it true? Was I doing a job I didn’t enjoy?

I bit my lip. “Well, even if that’s true … not everyone loves their job. Many people don’t. But they’re fine with that.”

“Sure, plenty of people find fulfillment in things other than their job, Roxy. But I see … there’s a longing I sometimes see in your eyes. The closer we came to opening the new wellness center, the more I saw it. You want to be involved but aren’t sure how.”

My lips wobbled as I tried to speak. “Oh, I don’t know. You might be reading into things.”

Mari chimed in, “Hazel’s usually a pretty good judge of people, actually. Well, except her fiancé when they first met, but love makes idiots of us all.” She smirked in Hazel’s direction.

“Can I share an idea I had?” Hazel asked carefully. “You don’t have to say yes, of course.”

Hesitation was probably written all over my face and tightly clasped hands at that point, but I nodded.

“I’ve been thinking I’d like to hire an expert advisor. A staff psychologist, if you will. As you know, I’m working toward my master’s and licensed counselor credentials. I could really use someone like you to serve as the on-staff psychologist. You wouldn’t have to see patients at all. I would just consult with you as needed, and you’d give professional input when I need to make important decisions about a patient or even about the business.” She grinned. “I can’t think of anyone more perfect for this role.”

My voice shook. “I—I am flattered. I fear I woulddisappoint you though.”

“You wouldn’t. Youcansay no, but please don’t decline because you think you’d disappoint me. That’s not possible.”

I didn’t think I had much emotion left to feel or tears to spill at that point, but once again, I was wrong. My heart started pounding in my chest as I tried to wrestle with everything she’d said—everything both of them had said. “I’m—this is—”

“Roxy, you look overwhelmed,” Mari said, stopping when she saw me flinch. “That’s understandable! You don’t need to give an answer immediately, right, Hazel?”

Hazel shook her head. “Of course not.”

“OK, so I can think about it?”

“Of course. Sorry if I made you feel otherwise. I get overly excited sometimes,” Hazel said with a smile. “Take all the time you need!

Mari smiled widely too. “And if you decide you’re not interested in this offer, you can use us to bounce ideas off.”

Before I could try to process this dizzying conversation, Hazel suddenly sat up straighter with a twinkle in her eye. “Should we go get the cheesecake I put in the freezer?”

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