~Joan~
I reread the message on my phone, my heart leaping all over again:
Congrats! You passed the interview. You’re expected to start work tomorrow by 8am. Looking forward to working with you!
DomisAd
A scream burst out of me as I jumped around my tiny apartment, giddy with excitement. My neighbors were probably annoyed, but I didn’t care. Soon, I’d be out of here anyway.
Our trip to Paris had ended abruptly after that night at the park. He’d called his driver to take me home once we landed in New York, claiming he had something important to take care of.
Ever since, he’d been distant, acting strange. We hadn’t really talked since we got back. Actually, we hadn’t talked at all.
I grabbed my phone and sent him a quick text to tell him about the new job, hoping for some kind of response.
Then I opened my laptop to finish drafting my resignation letter. With a deep breath, I hit send.
Just like that, my time at McCormick’s was over. He’d been a great boss, and I’d miss working for him, but it was time to move forward.
I glanced at my phone again. My excitement deflated when I saw Aaron had read my message but hadn’t responded.
Was he ignoring me? I shook my head, trying not to overthink it. There was too much going on in my life to let this get to me.
I had other things to focus on-like my meeting with Shayne.
I slid my laptop into my bag, dressed up and headed out, doing my best to push Aaron out of my thoughts.
As I waved down a cab, my phone started ringing. My heart jumped-maybe it was him? But the moment I saw the caller ID, my mood sank. It wasn’t Aaron.
“Hey,” I greeted cautiously as I climbed into the cab. I rattled off my destination to the driver, covering the phone’s mic with my hand.
“‘Hey?'” Rhoda scoffed on the other end. I winced.
“What’s going on? Martha called me, asking where you were because-get this-your phone was unreachable. Did you really go to New Orleans without visiting Martha or are you lying to me now?”
I swallowed hard. I’d screwed this up, and I knew it.
“Rhoda, I-” My voice faltered as I struggled to find the right words. “I did go to New Orleans… but I didn’t visit Martha,” The lie slipped out.
“I’ve been getting these strange texts about my parents, and I thought I could-” I trailed off, and closed my eyes. This was harder than I thought.
Rhoda sighed, her tone softening a little. “Jo, I’m sorry. I didn’t know… but you don’t tell me anything anymore. You don’t stop by. What’s going on with you?”
She was right, and I hated how distant we’d been. Ever since we got back to New York, I hadn’t made much of an effort to see her.
And that was because I’d been fucking her brother.
“I know,” I said quietly. “I’ve just been feeling… overwhelmed.” Hoping to steer the conversation somewhere safer, I added, “I got a new job, by the way.”
“What? Oh my God! When did this happen?” Rhoda’s quiet excitement made me smile.
“Today. I start tomorrow,” I said, then hesitated before continuing, “I’m actually on my way to Shayne’s office now. She’s reviewing the manuscript I sent her. I’ve got a couple of chapters left to finish the book-deadline’s Wednesday.”
“Wow. I’m proud of you, Jo. You’ve been busting your butt on that book,” she said with a laugh and I couldn’t help but laugh softly with her.
But the moment didn’t last long. Silence stretched between us before she spoke again. “We should catch up soon. I have so much to tell you.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “We should.” After we said our goodbyes, I slumped against the cab seat, staring out the window. This was going to get messy, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face it.
My eyes drifted to my phone again. The text I’d sent Aaron was still sitting on read.
I dialed his number, hoping he’d pick up, but it went straight to voicemail. I tried again, but the same thing happened
What was going on? Maybe he was in a meeting. I shook my head.
When I arrived at Shayne’s office, her secretary led me to the waiting area. I glanced around the room, clutching my bag tightly against my chest.
“You’d have to wait a few minutes, she has a guest,” the woman said and I nodded.
“What would you like to have? Tea, coffee, water?” she asked and I gave a polite smile.
“Nothing really. I’d just wait for her,” I muttered and she nodded before walking away.
After what felt like an eternity, Shayne’s guest left, and I was finally invited in.
“Take a seat,” Shayne said, motioning to the chair across from her desk. I sat down, my bag in my lap. She leaned forward, clasping her hands together as her eyes fell on me.
“So, I read your manuscript,” she began. “I wanted to ask-what was your inspiration for this?”
“Inspiration?” I repeated, confused. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve read your other work, Joan,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “This one feels… different. It’s personal, like you’re not writing fiction but something real. So, is it family? Friendship? Love?”
My breath caught, and I lowered my gaze. The first two weren’t right, but love? Aaron had been my muse. Was that why this story felt so different?
Shayne must have seen something in my expression because she didn’t push for an answer.
Instead, she smiled and leaned back in her chair. “Whatever the inspiration, the book is good. Really good. The client’s going to love it, and we’re planning for a wide release. But-” She paused, her eyes glinting with excitement. “We’re going to need a sequel.”
I blinked. “Are you serious?”
“Very. Finish the first book and submit it by the deadline. I’ll take care of the rest,” she said, her smile reassuring.
My heart swelled with excitement. This was incredible news. But it also meant I had to figure things out with Aaron.
He needed to know how I felt. It was time to stop hiding. I was going to tell him I loved him-and I wanted him to be my boyfriend for real this time.