Page 50 of Valentine's in Bayberry

“I was thinking about the shop. I just can’t believe I have my own business. It’s everything I could have wished for.”

“I’m happy for you.” The way he said it gave her the impression there was something he wasn’t saying.

“But you love your job too.” When he didn’t immediately respond, she added, “Right?”

He shrugged. “It has its positives and negatives.”

Okay. That was not the response she had been anticipating. Maybe there was more to the shadows under his eyes and the way his clothes seemed a bit too big on him.

“What’s going on with your work?” she asked.

He shrugged and said, “Nothing.”

She immediately didn’t believe him. “I’ve known you far too long to believe you. Are things not going well? Is the business in trouble?”

“Business is great. It’s growing every day.”

“But...”

He sighed. “The problem with hanging out with your childhood friend is that they know you too well.”

“Exactly. So, spill.”

He was quiet for a moment, as though he were searching for the right words. “The company has done some restructuring since I took the position in the London office. They decided to streamline things, and that meant closing some of the satellite offices.”

“And they gave you all of that work?”

He nodded. “And they did it without increasing our staff. People are not happy.”

“I’m guessing that includes you.”

“I’ve been dealing with it. I finally got the higher-ups to hire a few more staff because it was cheaper than paying overtime.”

“But you’re still working overtime, aren’t you?”

“That’s not the problem.” He stared into the fire.

“What is the problem?”

“When I finally told them that I’m taking some time off, all I got was flack. I haven’t taken much vacation time in the last two years. As you know, I haven’t been home much during that time. And I can’t help but wonder if that’s when things started to spiral for my mother.”

Carrie didn’t know enough about the details with his mother to be able to soothe his worries. But now she knew why he hadn’t been home much and why his messages to her always seemed to be rushed. It hadn’t been about their friendship or anotherwoman in his life, but rather about the overwhelming amount of work that he was dealing with.

“What will you do?” She was worried about him. He couldn’t keep pushing himself that hard. It was already making a difference in his appearance. Not that he wasn’t handsome, because he was definitely good-looking, but he looked weary.

“I don’t know. I love the work...”

“But you don’t love the circumstances.” She finished his thought for him.

“Exactly.”

“Quit,” she said.

“It’s not that easy.”

“I know. I just want you to realize that it is a real possibility for you. You’ll land on your feet.”

He turned his head. “I wish I had your positive attitude.”

---