Page 29 of July (New Orleans #7)

“I’m sorry,” her boss replied. “You’re welcome to quit.

Not that I want that – you’re a great employee – but if you feel that way and I can’t do anything about the changes, that’s pretty much the only option.

I’m not sure a gift shop manager will get you much with other employers, but I would happily be a reference for you anywhere in town if you need it. ”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m being unprofessional, venting here, and I shouldn’t be,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll just put my name tag on and get out there.”

Willa stood behind the counter for three hours before she decided to take the ten-minute break that she rarely took. Having someone whom she was hoping to hear from now, though, made her want to retreat to the back room, where she checked her phone for messages.

Jill Solomon : I miss you. Juni says hi.

We’ve been at the park for a couple of hours, and it’s nice.

She hasn’t played on her tablet at all. We were on the swings for a while, and she told me that you were her favorite teacher ever.

When can she know that you’ll be her fifth-grade teacher?

Is that a secret? I didn’t know, so I didn’t say anything.

Maybe we shouldn’t mention it because you might be going to Baton Rouge.

Anyway, I’m sitting at a picnic table, watching her slide with some kid from the neighborhood, so I’m bored, and you get a book in text form.

Also, I miss you. Did I say that already?

Willa laughed to herself and sent a reply.

Willa Mailor : I miss you, too, babe. My shift got cut short by a couple of hours, so I can maybe do something tonight if you want.

She wasn’t sure if she’d get a response right away, but right after she had hit send, three little dots appeared. Willa smiled down at her phone, and a second later, Jill’s reply hit her screen.

Jill Solomon : I want.

Willa’s smile widened. She didn’t have an answer to the question about the teacher thing because it was up in the air, but when she checked her email, mostly because of boredom, she was surprised to see a response from the school already.

They were confirming one of her available slots for the interview.

This vacancy hadn’t been a planned one for them, so they were clearly trying to move fast to get someone to take the job prior to the start of the new school year.

Willa confirmed that the time would work for her and sighed in relief.

That was good news, and she needed some good news right about now.

She messaged Jill after, telling her what had just happened.

Jill Solomon : That’s great. Want to come over tonight and celebrate? You can pack that bag you were talking about earlier.

Willa did want to celebrate with Jill, but she was hoping for a celebration that would allow for more than a few kisses whenever Juni wasn’t around.

Willa Mailor : I will definitely be there.

Jill Solomon : I’m cooking. What do you want?

Willa Mailor : Broccoli.

Jill Solomon : Just for that, you’re getting a peanut butter sandwich.

Willa laughed and rose to go back to work for the second half of her shift.

After a few hours of standing behind the counter and checking out a few people who mostly bought keychains and magnets, she was finally able to clock out. Relieved that she was about to get to the best part of her day, she took the bus home and started packing an overnight bag for Jill’s place.

“Hey. Want to grab dinner tonight?” her sister asked when Willa picked up the phone while she was packing.

“I can’t. I have plans.”

“I was going to order in from Delfino’s. We can put our feet up on the table and wear sweats while we eat the best steak in town.”

“I can’t,” she repeated, even though her stomach definitely growled at the thought. “I’m having dinner with someone.”

“Who? I thought I was your weekly dinner companion.”

“You are, but I… have a date. Sort of.”

“Sort of? How do you sort of have a date?”

“We’re dating already, and I’m going to her place.”

“Then, that’s a date, not sort of a date.”

“Wally, she has a little sister who’s ten, and she’s taking care of her, okay? Her mom is kind of being an asshole right now, and Jill can’t just leave her sister, who also happens to be my student, so it’s complicated, but it’s going really well, and I’m already crazy about her.”

“Whoa. That’s a lot of information all at once.”

“I know. Sorry. We can talk more about it later, but not tonight. I’m going over there now. Jill is cooking for me.”

“And her little sister?”

“Yes, she’ll be there.”

“So, it’s not a sexy kind of date, then?”

“It might be after Juni goes to sleep. I’m packing a bag.”

“Ah… Did you shave your legs?”

“No. Shit. I should’ve shaved.”

“Do you have time now?”

Willa pulled her phone away from her ear, checked the time, and did some silent mental calculations.

“I can spare five minutes.”

“Ten if you need to take care of somewhere else, too.”

“Okay, I’m hanging up on you now,” Willa said as she laughed.

“What? I’m sure this Jill would like a nice, tidy space to work.”

“I’m going to kill you. Bye, Wally.”

“Bye. I hope you get laid, little sis.”

Willa hung up and tossed the phone on her bed.

She hoped so, too, but not because she wanted sex; because she was ready for that step with Jill.

Just waking up next to her this morning, Willa had wanted to climb on top of her and wake her up in a very memorable way, but Juni’s cereal disaster had come first.

“Okay… I guess I’m shaving,” she said to herself and headed back into the bathroom.