Okay, I kind of wanted to know how I rated next to Zachary. But only out of curiosity, not because I was hoping to be the first to graduate off the bachelor list.
I headed home, telling myself once again that just because I was alone, it didn’t mean I was lonely.
And I almost believed my own lie.
CHAPTER 13
Audrey
Looking at job postings had become so second-nature, I clicked to my saved search while I drank my coffee every Saturday morning without even thinking about it. Yes, I had a job—thank goodness—but working for a small-town newspaper that might be on the verge of closing wasn’t exactly ideal.
Although it was growing on me.
Still, I’d come here intending to take some time to get back on my feet, and that’s what I was doing. I needed to keep looking ahead to the next step.
And I wondered if I’d just found it.
The ad was for a marketing communications manager for a brewery and restaurant chain. That would be kind of cool. They wanted a background in either PR, marketing, or journalism. Heck, I had all three. And it was in Seattle, which was fine. It wasn’t Pinecrest, and when it came to location, that was my main requirement.
I sipped my coffee as I filled out the online application and sent a copy of my resume. I didn’t expect much. I’d applied to about a zillion jobs when I’d been unemployed. But you never knew. This could have been the opportunity I’d been waiting for.
My phone rang—my mom—so I picked it up and answered.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Did I catch you at a good time?”
“Yeah, just finishing my coffee. What’s up?”
“I’m just calling to check in and see how you’re doing.”
“That’s nice of you. I’m doing fine.”
“How’s work? Are you getting settled in at your job?”
There was a hint of what might have been anxiety in her voice, like she was concerned about my answer. “Yeah, I am.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Why is that a relief?” I got up and grabbed a dog treat for Max from a jar on the kitchen counter and tossed it into the living room for him.
“You just spent a good stretch of time unemployed. I’d hate for you to find this job doesn’t suit you, especially since you went to all the trouble to move.”
“That’s true. I guess I can’t say it’s my ideal job, but it’s going okay so far.”
“Plus I’m not sure how I’d explain it if you were to leave right away.”
“Explain to whom?”
“Oh, you know, the ladies here in Pinecrest. They’re always interested to hear how you’re doing.”
I leaned against the counter, suddenly filled with suspicion. “What did you tell them about me?”
“There were just some less than flattering rumors going around. Obviously I couldn’t let people talk about us that way.”
“What way? What were the rumors?”
“Don’t worry about it, honey.”
“I’m not worried, I’d just like to know.”
She took a deep breath. “Just that you’d fallen on hard times and were out of work.”
“That’s not a rumor, that’s true. I was out of work.”
“Yes, but only for a minute. I’d hardly call it falling on hard times.”
“My bank account would argue with you. And why are you worried about whether people in Pinecrest know I was laid off for a while?”
“You’re Audrey Young. People expect things of you. They expect things of us.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think it’s going to ruin your reputation in Pinecrest if people know I was unemployed.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. Besides, look at you now, associate editor of a newspaper.”
“I’m not associate editor. I’m not actually sure what my job title is. Reporter, I guess? But I’m not in charge of anything.”
“Let’s not argue semantics. It’s a very reputable job.”
Why did it sound like she was trying to convince herself of that? “Mom, what are you worried about?”
“I’m not worried about anything. I just want to make sure you take full advantage of this opportunity.”
“So you don’t have to tell your friends that I’m unemployed again.”
“That’s not what I said.”
I rubbed my forehead. I was starting to get a headache. “Mom.”
“Being a member of this family comes with certain responsibilities. I know you didn’t choose it. But do the royals choose their family? No, of course not. And yet they do what’s expected of them. They do their duty.”