She shoots me an uncertain look while I think back to all the other jobs I’d had in the past, from admin roles to retail; dog walking to appointment scheduler at a hospital. The only thing that’s come even the tiniest bit close to making me this excited is that one time I took a job as a cook for that retired Goldman Sachs banker who had a breakdown and decided to open his own very successful burger food truck. And that was only because I got unlimited fries and was allowed to take any leftover food back home with me at the end of the day.
But anyway, even getting free fries on the regular does not compare to feeling like you’re a part of something big. And itisbig, even if it is “just” clothes. It’s something people weareveryday, it becomes part of their life, it’s how they express and present themselves to the world. And to be able to do it in a responsible, sustainable way is the cherry on top of it all.
“Good,” Lena tells me. “I’m happy to hear that because I think it’s time I start involving you more in projects. So let’s talk.”
WILL
It’s been a while since he’s had such a bad fucking day. Not even an extra half hour at the gym at lunchtime can cheer him up; there aren’t enough endorphins to help his mood or enough energy burnt to get past his current frustrations.
For the first time, it wasn’t work that was causing him grief. No, it’s Bridget, his usual daily ray of sunshine, that’s ripping him to shreds from the inside out.
Last night had been a fantasy come to life, a dream come true that quickly turned into a nightmare. He admits he lost control, that the alcohol led him down a fast path to something he only dreamed of, but he never expected this result. She seemed to like it at first, but then…
She’s gone.
He squeezes his eyes shut and tries to force the thought from his head, but ultimately fails miserably. He never thought he’dloseher over this.
And that’s exactly what it feels like. Because even though by a normal person’s standards not receiving a text for 24 hours isn’t the end of the world (there’s still the chance her phone died or something—you never know!), since first meeting each other, they’d always found a way to stay in touch. If something were wrong with her phone, he believes she would’ve found a way to contact him by now. Sent smoke signals.Something.
He’s crawling out of his goddamn skin, stomach in fucking knots, not really knowing how he’s going to survive this. He’d never forgive himself if he hurt her, if what they did last night was too much—which it clearly had been. Enough, at least, to have her disappear on him.
And that’s the worst part, not knowing whether he’s caused her any pain, any harm. Hurting her is the last thing he wants to do.
She is the one good thing he has going on in his life and he’s gone and fucked it up just because he was horny and frustrated and aching to touch her, this woman he’s never even seen. Now he just wishes he could take it all back. As he looks out his apartment window at the stormy night sky, Will swears to the universe he’ll never so much as flirt with her again if it means he getting her back. And just as he makes that vow and sends it into the universe, his phone pings with a message from the only person he’s wanted to hear from all day.
Bridget
I know last night was weird, and we should probably talk about it. But… Today was the best day EVER at work!!! Can I tell you about it?
With a massive sigh of relief and a loosening in his stomach, Will reaches for his phone and replies back.
Will
Always
7
FACETIME ETIQUETTE IS ALSO A REAL THING
Ipractically bounce around the apartment, waiting for Will’s reply. Ginger lifts her head with bleary eyes to shoot me an annoyed look from where she lies on the reading chair. After terrifying me with her deathly stare, she covers her face with her large paws and goes back to ignoring me during her post-dinner food coma.
But even Ginger’s quiet threats can’t lessen the excitement within me, because Ifinallyearned Lena’s trust, and with it comes even more responsibility—something I’ve been chomping at the bit for. And now that we’ve mapped out my career path a bit, spoken about what’s next, and clarified how much more involved in the process I’ll be, I can’t wait to get started.
Lena giving me a shot? Letting me have more of a say and giving mesomediscretion when it comes to our projects? Unimaginable, but there it is. Sure, I won’t be running my own accounts any time soon, but this is still a big step—and one in the right direction.
Today was epic.
As soon as Lena gave me the news and I left her office, my hands reached for my phone, itching to text Will. Even though things have been weird between us, going to Molly with this before him felt weird for some reason. Like despite it all, despite how out of hand things got last night, he was still the one person I wanted to tell as soon as it happened.
Will
Did you find a new vintage store in your neighborhood that’s full of seventies jumpsuits and wrap dresses or something?
I snortand bite my lip, trying to suppress a smile because he remembers my obsession with vintage clothing, teases me about it (but in a nice way), and sends me recommendations for the best shops all over the North East (which I’ve already earmarked for future shopping sprees the second I have some expendable income). Thanks to him, I’ve already purchased and revamped three incredible pieces from the seventies to add to my collection.
Bridget
No, unfortunately, I have not seen any new seventies Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses down at my favorite thrift store.
