Page 53 of A Little Bit Engaged
And get the job.
The university was one of the top in the country with an amazing library system. Their rare books collection was first rate, and she wouldn’t have to move. San Francisco had been her home for the past three years, and even though she had no family nearby, where else would she go?
Los Angeles.
Her heart rate stuttered.
Cara glanced at the diamond on her finger. The urge to remove the ring was strong, but the security team was observant enough they’d notice. “Maybe whoever’s interviewing me won’t notice the ring and doesn’t care about Hollywood gossip.”
Oh, please let that be the case.
Crossing her fingers, she rolled onto her side to face Loki. “But no matter what happens, I’ve got you.”
And she had Brody.
For now.
♥ ♥ ♥
Friday morning, Brody sat at the table with a cup of coffee. He’d heard Cara in her bedroom earlier. He hoped she’d slept better than he had.
“Good morning,” she said, walking into the living room.
He did a double take. Cara looked sophisticated and sexy in her gray suit and coordinating pumps. He wanted her to wow the hiring team at the library.
He grinned. “You’re getting this job.”
“I hope so because it would be a dream position.”
“The time has come for your dreams to come true.” If anyone deserved that to happen, it was her.
Her phone rang. “Hello, this is Cara O’Neal… Good morning, Ms. Windecott… Yes, I was just getting ready to leave… Oh.”
Cara’s shoulders sagged. With a dejected expression on her face, she plopped onto the couch.
Bad news? He hoped not, but he rose from the table and walked toward her.
“No, I understand. Thank you for calling and saving me the trip there.” As she touched the phone’s screen, she leaned against the cushions. Her face scrunched. “My interview was canceled.”
He was at her side in an instant. “Why?”
Tears gleamed. “She said they filled the position, but I heard of two others who are scheduled for second interviews next week. I have a feeling the job is available, but they no longer want me. I can’t say I blame them. Who wants to hire a pregnant woman who stole her twin sister’s boyfriend?”
With a hitch to her breath, she rubbed her wet eyes.
Cara’s reaction and sadness stabbed his heart. This was her dream job, and her sister had destroyed Cara’s chance of interviewing for it. “They might have filled the position.”
“Maybe.” Her tone suggested it was unlikely. Her eyes dimmed. “I have the sinking feeling other libraries will feel the same way about me.”
“Once the engagement is over—”
“I don’t think that will matter. The truth coming out will just show people I’m dishonest. I didn’t really think through what pretending might mean long term for me.”
But she had now. Brody could tell based on the way the light in her eyes went from dim to off. The slight tremble of her chin belied her blank expression. She was struggling to hold herself together. He wished she’d let her emotions show—cry, shout, scream.
Standing, she wiped her palms against her skirt. “I’d better change and then call Cassie to see what time she wants me to come in today.”
Brody hated hearing the disappointment and resignation in Cara’s voice. Nothing he did or said would fix it. “Cara—”
