be an interview?”
She smiled. “No, they enjoyed the social nature of the party and have proposed a more comprehensive event. Therefore, I’m inviting you to a weekend retreat starting this Friday at the lodge in Cambria.”
“Oh, this coming Friday? In f-four days?” Hopefully, the school was paying.
“Yes. We can’t put this decision off too long.”
“Uh, okay. Thank you for inviting me.” Damn, Batshit! He couldn’t leave her and Harry with Molly. It was too much. “Emily, I have a problem. I’m dog-sitting for a friend this week.”
She waved a hand. “No worries, The hotel permits pets, within reason, of course. They even have dog-sitters available and doggy day care. Several of our group are bringing their animals. So that’s settled. Be sure to bring clothes for swimming. There’s a wonderful pool, plus a spa and golfing.”
“I don’t golf, but hot springs sure sound good.”
“Best of all is the wine country so nearby.” She pushed a few folders into a pile on her desk. “Perhaps Ernest will enjoy the golf while you’re in meetings. We’re going to make this a joint planning session so it won’t all be fun and games.” She pushed her chair back, clearly ready to go for the day.
Toby just boggled at her. “Ernest?”
“Yes, of course.”
“But I’m not sure he can make it on such short notice.”
She pulled her eyebrows together. “Don’t I remember him saying he’s living off his income from financial investments. I’m sure that has a level of flexibility.” She stood. “I can’t impress upon you enough how much the committee looks forward to seeing Ernest again.” She flipped off her desk lamp. “Have a good evening, Toby.”
When they walked into the outer office, Tiffany was already gone and the halls beyond were quiet. Was there any point in telling Emily the truth?
Zero. He’d just have to decide if he resigned before the retreat or went to the event and tried to brazen it out with some story. He could practically hear Justin laughing already.
Outside the building, Emily walked toward her car and Toby hung back. He grabbed for his phone, hoping against hope that Ernest had left a message.
Nothing by voice mail or text.
What the hell? He might as well humiliate himself one more time.
With a jab, he dialed the phone. Sure enough. Straight to the message. When it answered, he said, “I guess there’s no chance you had an accident where you sprained both wrists, is there?” He sighed. “I wanted to tell you that the school has extended the decision making to after a retreat in Cambria this coming weekend, starting on Friday. Of course, they expect me to bring you. I sure would like to.” He paused for another few seconds of blank air and then said, “I’m really sorry for whatever I did. Bye.”
He hung up and headed home to tell Molly the very bad news.
Chapter Ten
“Mrowr.”
Ernest pulled the phone away from his ear and stared down at Cat who sat in his lap.
“I agree. Fuck.”
“Fuck what?” Bill looked up from his laptop screen where he sat tucked at the end of the dining table. Jeez, it felt like a lifetime since Ernest had looked anywhere in his apartment and not seen Bill. Truthfully, out of a year of hiding out in Southern California, Bill had only been involved in the last two months, but on Ernest’s very private radar, that read like an eternity of no alone-time.
“I got a message from Toby.”
Bill made a face. “Ouch. Poor guy. After that kiss you laid on him in the parking lot, he has to be seriously confused by your vanishing act.”
“I kissed him to get him to stop obsessing about the criminal who’s following me!”
Bill gave a sheepish grimace. “Sorry. It’s hard to be invisible when someone starts actually looking for you.”
Ernest snarled, “Sounds like the current story of my life.”
“At least you’ve got a life.”
Ernest gave him a vicious look. “Thanks all to hell.”
Bill sat back in his chair. “So was Toby expressing further heartbreak?” Bill had heard Toby’s original message.
“Worse. I’ve got all the people from his school expecting me to be his boyfriend—thanks to you, by the way—and now he’s got to attend a weekend retreat that will decide if he gets the job. And he gets to attend minus his so-called fiancé.”
Cat raised his head. “Mrowr.”
“Yeah. I think I’m a serious SOB too.” Jesus, Ernest couldn’t even stand to think about how sad Toby must be. Not just at the loss of the prospective job. Hell,