“How did your parents take the news?” Noah asks.
“Well, they’re really excited for me. I’ve been sketching accessories since I learned to draw, so they’re totally supportive.
“They even said they’ll help me out with money if I need to quit my job here to pursue fashion in Boston.”
“That’s great, baby. I don’t think money will be much of a problem if you get signed by Dragon Brands, though. What did they think about us?”
“They were happy for me—us, I mean. Got a couple of lectures, but it’s fine.” I’m lying. I didn’t say a thing about Noah, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
“Good. Logan had me worried there. I was bracing myself for more interrogations.”
I roll my eyes. “Damn hypocrite,” I grumble. “He was pissed off for the longest time because Rae’s family was wary of him.” Okay, it’s a little more complicated than that, but still.
Same principle.
“It’s okay. I’ll sit through a thousand questionings if it means seeing you.”
I blush. “You’re the sweetest. Are you still ready for me?”
“Hard as a rock, baby. Are you wet for me?”
“Dripping,” I sigh.
After a round of phone-fucking, we sigh together. “Damn, baby. I can’t wait for the real thing,” Noah says softly.
“Three days.”
“That’s three days too many.”
We stay on the phone until I fall asleep.
My smile drops only when my eyelids do.
Linda calls as I’m shoveling dry Lucky Charms into my mouth. It’s a fitting breakfast for the amazing week I’m having so far. “How long can you stay in Boston for?” she asks.
“It depends. If I’m being offered a contract, I can stay indefinitely. If not, I shouldn’t stay more than a few weekdays.”
“Oh, you’re being offered a contract. It’s drawn up, just waiting for your signature. Monday’s meeting is to discuss logistics and the next steps. You’re welcome to e-sign today if you’d like me to email a copy over with your travel information.”
I was going to pretend to be sick Friday and next week, but if I have a real contract, I can quit. “That would be great,” I tell her. “Thank you.”
“Of course. You should receive everything by around 10 a.m.
“Back to what I called about. We’ll need you to come into the office for two weeks. After that, we can grant you time off to tie up any loose ends in Utah. You’re in Utah, right?”
“Right.”
“Great. To clarify, you’re willing to permanently relocate to Massachusetts for this position?”
I try to settle my breathing. “Yes. Yes, definitely.”
“Fantastic. The team will be excited to hear this.”
Linda continues talking about the salary and bonuses she thinks I’ll receive based on my line’s success. I’m grinning like a fool by the time I reach my office building. Noah was right. I won’t have to worry about money.
I work in human resources. It’s dull as hell, but the pay is decent, and I don’t have crazy hours the way Logan used to.
The only interesting parts involve resolving employee conflicts, which I probably shouldn’t get excited about, but I can’t help myself.
I kind of love the drama, especially when someone is obviously in the wrong and I get to watch my boss ream them out.
I can barely focus on the employee performance metrics I’m supposed to be calculating, waiting for the clock to hit ten.
I brought my laptop to work—in a large tote made by moi—so I can sign the contract the second it hits my inbox. I’ll probably look sketchy logging into a non-work computer in the breakroom, but it doesn’t matter. I’m quitting.
At 9:58, my phone buzzes with an email from Dragon Brands. I spring from my chair, announce that I’m taking an early lunch, and carry my heavy purse into the breakroom. The contract is long and dull, but I skim through it anyway.
Nothing seems sketchy.
With an anticlimactic e-signature, I seal my fate as a fashion designer.
My boss is surprisingly understanding when I quit.
“We’ll miss you, Courtney, but it sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Kate says, smiling.
“Without two weeks’ notice, you won’t be compensated for your unused vacation days, unfortunately. Company policy. I’m sure that won’t be much of an issue when you’re a famous designer.”
“Thanks, Kate,” I say. “Totally understand.” I’m pretty sure I only have two vacation days left. Definitely a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
Wow. Dragon Brands really knows how to make a woman feel valued. I wonder if I’ll be staying at a five-star hotel.
I skim the email again. Nothing about hotels.
I fire off a quick message to Violet, asking if the hotel details are coming later. She responds in a minute: “Linda will call you. —V”
My phone immediately starts buzzing. “Hi, Linda.”
“Hi, Courtney. Violet said you asked about a hotel?”
“Noah said you’d be staying with him.”
“Oh,” I cough out. “Oh, um, we hadn’t discussed it, but I can arrange my accommodations.”
“Great. I’ll be in touch tomorrow,” Linda replies.
“Thanks, Linda.”
She hangs up, and I stare at my phone. Did Noah assume I wanted to stay with him because we talked about sleeping together when I was there?
Logan’s words echo in my head.
I sigh, irritated that Logan felt the need to stress me out so much before I leave. Noah just made an incorrect assumption, that’s all.
I might have thought the same if he were coming out here. I’ll stay with him on Friday and see where it goes from there.
I channel my energy back into excitement. Come Monday, I’m going to be living my dream.
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be coupled up and looking at Noah the way Rae looks at Logan.
