Page 13 of (La)Crosse My Heart

“Well, I’m single. Maybe you can scope him out for me.” She laughs, and I shake my head.

“You won’t do long distance or move here, Anna,” I say.

“True. But a girl can dream. Do you have a picture?”

“No. Anyway, the moving truck didn’t come today. I’m still doing everything on the floor in this house.”

“You need to go shopping. You didn’t even take that much furniture.”

She’s right, but I was going to wait until the truck came, just so I knew what I wanted in the house.

“What if I’m not here that long?” I say, the minor blip of worry filling me.

“Is this a trial run? I don’t remember you telling me that.”

“They haven’t said anything, but I feel this depends on how I do with Clark. I originally applied to be a public relations manager.”

“If they made up a job specifically for you, why would they terminate you that quickly?”

I search my memory, thinking we’d already talked about this. But then again, the interview and moving process all happened within two weeks, so chances are higher I didn’t give her the full story.

“I don’t know. My boss did specifically mention not to start a relationship with Clark.”

“Ha!” Anna practically yells into the phone. “So you thought about it.”

Why does she have to be so confident?

“Only as to why she mentioned that.”

“You’re a lot more gutsy than I am, Jessa. Moving across the country for what could be a temporary job is brave. But maybe you’ll have your Prince Charming and live happily ever after in the desert.”

I think about Clark and wonder if I’ll have to move back to Virginia with my tail between my legs if this doesn’t go the way I hope.

The guy is an anomaly, but I need to remember we’re in a client relationship and hopefully what I do to help him works.

“I needed some adventure in my life, but now it’s like I need to recharge that bravery.”

“Oh, my show is about to start. Call me in a couple of days with how it goes. I’m excited to hear about this journey of yours.”

I nod and say, “Thanks Anna. Have fun.”

I look back to the notebook in front of me and try to shift on the blow-up mattress.

Writing out a plan for the next few days, I focus on how to help Clark. I need to make this work.

My food order gets dropped off, and I take my time eating it, trying to brainstorm even more ideas than the ones I already have.

I’m going to makeover Clark if it kills me.

6

Clark

It’s eight o’clock, and I could definitely sleep a full eight hours at this point. Am I getting old? I’m pretty sure Nora can make it to nine before going to bed.

There’s a knock on my bedroom door.

“Come in,” I say, putting my phone down.

---