She ended the call.
“This is my fault,” I said.
Becky spoke up. “This isn’t Laila’s fault.”
“Well, it’s somebody’s fault,” Ben said.
“How about we get out of the way?” Josh gave me a meaningful gaze.
I agreed with him and moved his way.
“I’m sorry,” I said to Ben.
“No you’re not,” Becky said, sounding feisty and combative.
Ben’s frown deepened.
“She’s not,” Becky continued. “I’m not exerting myself.” But then her skin flushed pink and a look of discomfort crossed her face.
Ben was over to her in an instant, kneeling and smoothing her hair. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Sweetheart, it’s all good.”
Josh gently tapped my shoulder. When I looked up, he canted his head toward the door. I followed him outside where the wind was picking up and the clouds continued to gather around the mountains.
“I wanted to get Max here early,” I said, feeling the need to explain. “I didn’t expect Becky to make the call herself.”
“I thought you were going to stay a while.”
“I was.”
“What happened?” he asked as we made it to the sidewalk.
I didn’t want to tell him I’d been fired. It didn’t matter if it was fair or unfair, it still felt like a failure.
“Is this about the dogs?” he asked, looking concerned.
“No.”
“You don’t have to be afraid,” he said. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’m not afraid.” I was only a little bit afraid.
“Then why are you leaving early? Did you talk to Cecily?”
“Not yet. But I still have to get back.”
We stopped beside his SUV and he studied my expression. “What aren’t you telling me?”
There was one thing I wanted to tell him. “I tried to talk to Madeline last night, about Max, I mean. But she wandered off topic. More than usual.”
“She does that,” he said.
“That’s why I’m here. I thought I could get his number from Becky and take care of it myself.”
“But why the sudden push on Max? You were going to stay. You seemed happy to stay.”
“I was.”
“Then what—”
“I got fired, okay?” I couldn’t seem to save anything of my dignity in this. “I thought it was Cecily calling me back. But it was Luke, and he fired me. I have no job. I need to get back to New York and find a new one.”
He was silent for a minute. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“I know you loved your job.”
“There are a lot of great people at Laatz Wallingsford. Not Luke.” I let out a little laugh. “I’m not so crazy about Luke right now.”
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Josh said.
“A sign of what?”
He seemed to choose his words. “That you have options.”
I didn’t understand what he meant. “My option is to find another job.”
“It doesn’t have to be in New York. It doesn’t have to be in a big city.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. “I live in New York City. I was born and raised there. It’s my home.”
“People move, Laila. They find new homes. You might want to be open to other options.”
“Are you trying to sell me on the virtues of small towns?”
“I’m telling you not to put on blinders.”
“This isn’t a sign that I should leave New York,” I said. “It’s a bump in the road, a glitch in my career. But I can come back from it.”
Silence settled between us.
He touched my hand, sending now-familiar feelings rushing through me. “Is there nothing?” he asked, looking disappointed. “Nothing at all that makes you want to stay, even for a little while?”
“Yes,” I said. “There is. But my life’s not here.”
“Okay,” he said and let go of my hand. “I’ve been down this path. It goes nowhere good.”
*
I was torn. I knew I had to go, but Josh made me want to stay.
Gerry called to say he’d received the part for my car. I’d have it back by tomorrow. I saw that as a sign I should leave.
But then Becky texted that Max was still teaching. That was a sign I should stay, at least for a few days, maybe for the rest of the week. I could take the weekend to drive home and start my job search on Monday.
In the meantime, I could look online, send out my CV, and make phone calls.
Plus, I could finish up a few things for Madeline. I called Nellie then Humphrey and asked them to bring the cats. I hadn’t told them my plan. I thought I’d have a better chance convincing them in person. They were due any minute.
I heard the door open and left Madeline’s desk for the reception area.
I was surprised to find