now. You interviewed with us after your graduation, but we didn’t have a position for you at that time. We may now, if you’re still interested. I need to fill the position ASAP, so please give me a call.”
Castlewood Elementary . . . that’s just an hour from Nashville!
I’m practically bouncing in my seat when Dana and Angel finally arrive.
“Sorry,” Angel says as the two of them slide into the booth. “Traffic was—why are you smiling like that?”
“Castlewood wants to give me a job! I’m such an idiot. I’ve been ignoring their calls for weeks now. I mean, I didn’t know it was them. I figured it was a telemarketer or something. But it’s a job offer! Maybe. I’ll call her first thing tomorrow.”
Angel’s eyes grow wide. “That’s . . . great.”
“Great? Angel, it’s fantastic!”
Dana nods. “So you’d start next school year?”
“No, she said she needs to fill the position ASAP.”
My body freezes.
“Oh.”
“Yeah. I wondered when you’d catch on.” Dana motions to the waitress. “I’m getting your check. We need to get out of this diner and find a bar. You’re gonna need a drink.”
I don’t need a drink. I need to be slapped. For a brief moment, I completely forgot that I already have a job. I can’t just quit. I don’t want to quit.
“Listen to me,” Dana says softly. “My brother will understand. This could be your chance to have your own classroom. With your own snot-nosed, sticky-fingered kids.”
“But I love my snot-nosed, sticky-fingered kid.”
“But he’s not yours, Olivia.”
“Thank you, Dana. I’m well aware of that!”
Dana frowns just as the waitress arrives.
“Can I get you girls something?”
“We can’t stay,” Angel says. “Thanks.”
The waitress gives us a tired smile before placing the check on the table and walking back to the counter.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Dana asks.
“Nothing. You’re right. He’s not my kid.”
She sighs. “Olivia, I know you love him. I know how attached you are. So is he. But this is your career we’re talking about. I hate to see you turn down an opportunity when you’ve worked so hard to get here. That’s all.”
I shake my head. I can’t believe that I was so excited about the job offer that I didn’t even think about Ryder. I don’t even realize I’m crying until Angel hands me a napkin from the dispenser on the table.
“Talk to us, Liv.”
I sniffle quietly. “I can’t take this job. I mean, if she even officially offers it to me. I can’t take it.”
“Why not?”
“I can’t leave them. I just can’t.”
“Castlewood’s just an hour away,” Angel says.
“I can’t. I won’t.”
Dana gazes at me, trying to read my mind. She’s always been good at that. Or maybe I’m an open book. Either way, it doesn’t take her long to figure it out.
“You’re in love with my brother.”
I dab my misty eyes.
“Not just with your brother, but yeah. And now that Natasha’s back in the picture—”
“Wait a minute. WHAT?”
“Oh, crap . . .” Angel says with a sigh.
My mouth snaps closed.
“I take it you haven’t talked to your brother lately.”
“What do you mean she’s back in the picture?”
Dana’s face flashes with various shades of crimson as I tell her all about the custody hearing, the divorce, and the supervised visitation.
“Today’s the second visit. That’s why I’m here. I just wanted to give them space. Give Ryder the chance to really reconnect with his mother without me hovering.”
Dana shakes her head. “Jackson is a fool. Why would he let that woman anywhere near his kid?”
“That woman is his mother.”
“She LEFT!”
I nod tiredly. The truth is, I just don’t have the energy to argue about this. And I certainly don’t want to defend Natasha. I glance at my phone, wondering how the visitation is going. Jackson hasn’t called or texted, so I can only assume she showed up and all is well.
I hope all is well.
“My brother loves you, too, you know.”
This snaps me back to reality.
“How do you know that?”
Dana grins. “Because I have eyes, Olivia. It was obvious that night at the gala. Even my parents noticed. They approve, by the way.”
“Anyone has to be an improvement after Natasha, right?” Angel grins.
“True,” she says with a laugh. “But they really do. They see the difference you’ve made in Jackson’s life. And in Ryder’s. They’re grateful, Liv. And so am I.”
Just then, I get a text from Jackson.
Come home.
I glance at the time. Visitation can’t be over already.
Unless . . .
“I’ve got to go.”
“What’s wrong?”
I reach into my wallet for some cash and toss it on