Free The Kiss on Castle Road (A Lavender Island Novel) by Lauren Christopher Page A

on a budget these days. I—”
    “I understand! This economy is so hard on you young people. Are you looking for a job? I know of at least two openings.”
    Natalie’s head snapped up. A job ? That could give her the money she needed for the new phone without having to rely on Olivia. Maybe she could work extra hours while Lily was in school. And, coming from Doris, maybe this job was even at the center? She tried to ignore the little flutter in her chest.
    “Is it at the center?” she asked, trying to hide the embarrassing lift in her voice.
    “One of them is. But that job requires a yearlong commitment. Will you be staying here a year?”
    Natalie felt as if she physically shrank an inch. A yearlong commitment? Who knew what she’d want to do in a year? In six months? In two months, even? And who could live on an island for a whole year? Well, besides Olivia and Jon, of course.
    “What’s the other job?” she asked.
    “The other is better paying,” Doris whispered behind her hand, as if it were a big secret there on aisle four. “It’s at the retirement apartments Casas del Sur, where Marie and I live.”
    Marie’s coif bobbed in agreement. “Ooooh, she’d be perfect for that. Do you Zumba, dear?”
    “I—I don’t think I’ve ever actually—”
    “They’ll train you!” Doris interrupted. “They need a part-time activities assistant. But one of the activities is driving the volunteer golf cart to the Friends of the Sea Lion center, so it’s the best of both worlds.”
    Natalie perked up at that. “I can drive a golf cart.”
    “But the biggest part of the job is that they need someone to help us plan the big Senior Prom in three months. Like an event planner of sorts.”
    “I’d be interested in that. My mom is an event planner, and I’ve learned a lot from her. You think they’d hire me without showing a portfolio?”
    “I could get you hired.” Doris waved her hand.
    Natalie frowned.
    When Doris caught her puzzled expression, she shrugged. “I have some pull with the director. I taught him when he was a boy. If I recommend you, he’ll hire you.”
    “Oh. Well, I would love that job. Right now, I’m watching my little niece every day, but she’s in school from eight until two, so I’m free then.”
    “Perfect!” Doris scribbled a name on a piece of paper and handed it to Natalie. “Here’s his name and number. If you’re free right now, you should go down there and meet him. I’ll text him and tell him you’re coming.”
    Doris whipped out an impressively new phone from her oversized leopard purse and texted with both thumbs like some kind of teenager. “Done!” She threw the phone back into the cavernous purse. “Now, let me buy you this book. Marie, I’ll buy you one, too.”
    Doris whirled toward the counter and began marching forward with the two books tucked into the crook of her arm.
    “Doris, really, that’s not necessary,” Natalie called.
    “Nonsense! My treat. Now, you go do your shopping, and this book will be waiting for you up at the counter. Have a great day, dear.”
    She and Marie left the aisle in a swirl of Shalimar and Jean Nate.

    Natalie wandered up the sidewalk to the Casas del Sur, feeling as if she were heading into some kind of Hollywood movie gala. The luxury apartment building was high on a hill, at the very southeastern tip of Lavender Island, and boasted an incredible view of the ocean. A long red carpet led up a flagstone porte cochere, all ringed with palm trees. Inside was a three-story, metal-and-glass lobby.
    Natalie approached the glass-fronted reception desk. “I’m looking for”—she glanced at the paper Doris had handed her—“Mr. Stegner,” she told the receptionist.
    Once buzzed back, Natalie shook hands with Steve Stegner. He was middle-aged, rather plump, prematurely balding, with a host of gold-rimmed picture frames on his desk featuring a pretty wife and four blond, smiling, elementary-aged children.
    “Doris said