Page 69 of Country Charm

“Within your current company?” He’s genuinely interested, and this is why this guy is trouble. He cares about everything I tell him. He even cares about where I work.

“No. Do you remember that woman we ran into last weekend? Her name is Monica, she works at a larger firm than mine, and they are looking for a team lead in their analytics department.”

“And this is something you want?”

“I wasn’t technically looking, she just shot me the posting for the job. The more I read, the more I like it. It pays nice, the responsibilities aren’t too heavy, I would have an extra day off during the week, and I would get to do some traveling.”

“Travel? To where?”

“San Francisco, Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Portland, Ft. Lauderdale, Savannah, and a few others I can’t think of offhand.”

“Shit. That’s all over the damn country. You’d be based in the city most of the time?”

“Well, kind of. Their firm is about an hour north of my place right now, so I would probably need a new apartment if I got it. They offer relocation assistance though. I could commute until I find something suitable. I have a set of wheels.”

“An hour north?” He sounds strained.

“Yeah.”

“I’m missing the part where this is good news, Cassidy. Is it because you want this job? Is it because you want to travel? Is it because it pays better?” I hear his tone becoming firmer.

“I told you I didn’t know if it was good news.” My back stiffens and my shoulders roll back.

“It sounds like a clusterfuck to me.” I’m a little shocked at his words. I know that my being a little farther away doesn’t seem ideal, but we have known each other for about a month. He doesn’t get to be mad about a possible change in my life.

“A clusterfuck? Why? Because the girl you fucked a few times is a little farther away?” Harsh. I know. He sucks in a deep breath that I can hear over the phone.

“A girl I fucked a few times, Cass. You have to be fucking kidding me. How long do I have to walk on eggshells talking about any kind of future with you before you go running in the other direction? Then you bring this shit to the table, and I’m supposed to be happy for you. You get to talk about possible future plans, and I’m supposed to be okay with it all? What a fucking joke.”

“You’re a fucking joke,” I say quickly. I want to take the words back as soon they leave my mouth.

“What was that?”

“I don’t mean that. I just mean this conversation is a fucking joke. Hunter, I’m not your girlfriend, you don’t haveto worry about my future. I was just telling you because we talk so damn much, and I might have found some goddamn direction in my career, which you knew I wanted.”

“I know what you wanted, and it wasn’t a career change.”

“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” I know what he’s going to say before he says it, but I let him anyway.

“You wanted some piss poor excuse to make sure things can’t go anywhere between us and a new job that happens to be farther from my town is just what you needed. Congrats.”

“Screw you, Hunter Hill,” I say sharply as I end the call. I throw my phone at the end of the bed and see it immediately light back up and vibrate.

Screw him and his judgment. Screw him thinking he knows me and what I want. Screw it all.

This is why I don’t do repeaters. I don’t owe an explanation to anyone. The girls are going to be so excited for me when I tell them tomorrow, and they’re the people that matter. They know this could be the change I need to get me out of my stagnant state. They know me.

I drop my face into my hands and let out a long groan. I don’t know why I’m so upset. I don’t know why Hunter and I fought. I don’t get any of it.

Chapter Thirty

Hunter

Igrowl at anyone who crosses my path. Harrison is basically taking care of all the customers today because I can barely hold a conversation with anyone before they take the hint and scram.

With Jake’s mom being home sick, he stayed home for the rest of the week. That means my extra set of hands for the market isn’t here. I’ve made do before, but I’ve gotten used to him helping.

Harrison caught me all but throwing everything into the truck this morning and offered a hand. I denied him because I didn’t want company, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. So now I have to listen to him chat away with every person who walks up to the damn stand when all I want to do is leave.

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