Obsessed 18+✔️

Twenty-Two - An Opportune Application ✔️

4 Weeks Later

I have distanced myself somewhat from Steve.

We still talk and message most every day, just short 'how are you', and how's your day' texts, but he has only been back to my house twice since the night of the engagement party.

Once was to visit, and once was to pick up his ball cap that he had left.

Other than that, we haven't had a lot of contact.

I don't know; it is like what he had said to me in the car that night combined with what Colt had said echos every time he is around or I even think about him.

I still can't imagine him capable of Carl's murder, but how well do you ever really know people?

Thankfully, Jolie kept her mouth shut.

I think it is mainly due to the fact that she is so busy with the wedding planning that her tormenting me has been put on the backburner, for now anyway.

Mona, Carl's wife, had, much to my surprise, decided to keep the coffee shop up and running, declaring that Carl had put so much work into it that it would be what he would have wanted.

So, me and Tracy are back to work starting tomorrow morning.

I fucking hate the idea of going back there, but I need a job, and at least until I can get another one, my hands are kind of tied.

Today I am just staying at home.
Doing absolutely nothing.

Carl's murder has dampened my efforts to get Colton.

Oh, it is still going to happen, but I am wallowing at the moment. I am wallowing in my own self-pity, and I know that I need to snap the hell out of it.

So I decide to check emails—not that I get many—and check the local job listing online.

Searching through the emails, I see one that stands out and open it first...

45 minutes later, I have submitted an application for employment at a job I am extremely interested in.

■■■

"I can't believe we are actually still working here." Tracy remarks, as a shudder runs through her.

"What?" I ask. It takes a second for her words to register. "Oh, yeah, me either."

"You ok, Carrington?" She asks, putting her hand on my arm.

"Yeah." I say looking around and remembering...

Carl—pressing me against the counter, his hand in my pants, the coffee burning into my skin, leaving, coming back to everything covered in Carl's blood. 
"It's just weird being back here after..."

"Tell me about it." She shakes her head.

Mona has almost everything that can be replaced and sanitized, but it is still hard to look around at this place and not see it all painted red with blood.

"Let's get this over with."

■■■

Being back at work is hard. The first day back always is, only it is harder under the circumstances.

I decide after getting home that I should go ahead and start putting in more applications online.

There are a lot of places hiring, but not many with my particular skill set, which is basically nothing.

I scroll through multiple listings on the job site to see what's available. I am about to give it up for the night when I see one that catches my eye—the same one that I had the email link to the night before.

Even though I've already submitted an application, I go ahead and send in another one for good measure.

This might work.

This may give me the kick in the ass that I need.

■■■

"Is this Carrington Young?" A woman says when I answer the call with a friendly "hello."

"It is." I reply.

"Yes, Miss Young, we were trying to reach you about the applications you submitted online for our opening. Are you still interested?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm still very interested." I say into my phone.

I motion for Tracy to take over at the register for me and walk to the back so I can talk without the customers speaking in the background.

"Did I call you at a bad time?"
The lady asks with a slight annoyance in her voice.

"No, ma'am, my apologies." I say walking into the stock room.

"Yes, well, it is highly unusual for someone of my family's; well, let's just say that we don't usually conduct this kind of business online, but my son insisted on not using an agency."
She rambles.

Her son?

So?

The position isn't for her and her husband?

Instead, it's their son?

Hmm

...

This may work out better than I thought.

That is

...

If I get the job.

■■■

"Yes, well, I think that nearly covers all of the initial questions, Miss Young. If you don't have any questions for me..."

"No, ma'am." I answer before she even finishes asking.

"Ok then, I will just give you the address, and my husband will conduct a further interview in person, but I have to say, Miss Young, it seems very promising."

"Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to the possibility of working with you."

"With our son." She corrects.

"Yes, with your son." I correct myself, smiling like an idiot.

"If you can come in, say, Thursday at 1 p.m. ?"

"That will be just fine." I try to hide some of my excitement about the possibility of getting out of this place, even if it is a temporary one. I know that I can use any amount of time there to my advantage.

"Great. You probably already know the address, but if not, it is 127 Main Street, the tallest building; you can't miss it; it is the one that says Beckham across the top."

I smile into the phone, "Yes, I know exactly where that is."