Page 19 of Our Long Days
My spine snaps straight, hands planted flat on the table. “I’m wondering if you’d consider hiring me. As a dishwasher, cleaner, anything. Baking isn’t my strong suit, but I’m a fast learner. I have great interpersonal skills, good with a cash register, and know you’re looking to expand soon.”
“Oh, Flo.” She rolls her lips over her teeth, her tone the farthest thing from promising.
My heart drops.Splaton the floor. My happy façade barely holds, the edges cracking.
“I would have hired you in a heartbeat, but you seemed so adamant about not working with family…” She trails off, mouth twisting, and I want to disappear.
Quinn didn’t ask me because I continuously turn my brothers down about working at Our Place, and now she thinks I don’t see her as family.
“One of my regulars has a daughter who recently graduated college and is looking for work. She’s starting next week.”
“Gosh, don’t be sorry.” My movements are shaky, and I almost knock over my mocha while reaching for my phone. Frantic, inside and out, I collect my things. My cheeks ache from the smile I’m desperately keeping in place. “I’m sure she’ll do a better job than me anyway.”
Quinn’s face falls. “Flo, no, that’s not what I meant.”
I hook a thumb over my shoulder, backing away from the table. “Thanks for listening to me ramble. Let’s do dinner soon, okay?”
A hand locks around my wrist, halting my escape. Quinn is stronger than she looks. “I’m going to text you the contact for the recruitment agency I was going to use if local ads failed. Call them.” She draws me into a tight hug. “You’re notlikea sister to me, youaremy sister, okay? I’m always here if you need anything.”
I squeeze her tight, nose burning. “I’m lucky to have you.”
She waves at me through the window, smile sad.
I’ve never taken rejection well. Quinn was gentle, which somehow made the vise around my chest squeeze harder.
People pass by in a blur. I’m in no rush, with no direction. I meander the streets, my footsteps stopping when the boardwalk curving the length of the bay creaks under my sneakers. I collapse on a bench, sucking in air, only for the salty wind to get caught in my throat.
Coming home wasn’t supposed to be this hard. Life was meant to fall into place easily. My edges are bending, like a jigsaw piece being forced to fit.
I feel like an outsider with my own family. Patrick and Graham try, but they’re so busy these days. I’ve always been closest with Booth, and even with him living in New York now, we make the time to talk regularly. His stupid jokes are exactly the medicine I need.
After three rings, the voice that answers isn’t my brother’s.
“Florence, hey.”
“Aly. You’re home?” My mood picks up.
“It’s a flying visit. I’m on a redeye back to Berlin tonight. Booth left his phone, but he shouldn’t be long. Should I have him call you later?”
Confident and tenacious, Alessandra is who I want to be when I grow up. In the short time she was in town, we grew close, and suddenly, it’s her advice I want, not Booth’s.
“Actually, are you free?” I ask tentatively.
“Oh.” Surprise laces her tone. “Yeah, of course. Fire away.”
Ten minutes later, she definitely regrets answering the phone. It’s the worst case of verbal diarrhea ever reported. I tell hereverything. The reasons why my travels ended early to every painful family dinner. Even what happened after the New Year’s party.
The line is quiet.
“Are you still there?”
She blows out a breath. “I’m processing.”
More silence, then enters Business Aly.
“First,” she finally says, “when you get home, send me your resume. I’ll look it over before you send it to the recruitment agency. I know you didn’t want Graham’s help, but I’m not your brother. I’ve experience in hiring people. And second…”
I brace myself.
