Chapter 6
Ifeltmyself get into a normal routine as the next week started. I had called Adam multiple times today, seeing as it was already Wednesday and he still wasn’t here with me. His work still wanted to keep him in California and I was getting frustrated. I tried to drown myself in my work and my writing, but nothing seemed to help. I knew after getting off work today I would try to drown out all of my negative thoughtsagain.
“Alexa, I was wondering if I could talk to you?” Greg stopped me before I entered the elevator. Lilly and Erica were already inside, giving me sympathetic looks. It was six, and I didn’t want to stay later than I had to. I turned around with what I knew was an attitude in my stance andvoice.
“Greg, I’m sorry, but I really just want to go hometoday.”
“It won’t take much of your time, but if you don’t want to wait today, we can do it tomorrow. I just wanted you to know at least that Chase, the head of the publishing and editing department, wants to hire you as an Executive Assistant Editor.” That caught my attention. I perked up, waving Lilly and Erica away. I heard the doors close almost immediately, leaving me and Greg alone on the floor. “You would be working as his assistant and helping to manage all edits of works that come through The Ink Well. Are you good with that,Alexa?”
I hadn’t heard most of what Greg had said after Executive Assistant Editor. It definitely wasn’t the position that I had been expecting when I gave Max my application, but I had to say, that was definitely my dream job—reading manuscripts and editing them. Max was right. He had taken care ofme.
“Yes!” I said, a little too loudly. I had to remind myself that I was still at work, even though there wasn’t anyone left and didn’t need to be freaking out. I tried to look calm, but I could still feel my arms shaking. “That would be amazing, and more than I could have askedfor.”
“According to Chase, your internship in college did a great deal to land you the job.” I couldn’t tell by Greg’s behavior if he was happy for me or sad that he was losing me. He seemed genuine in the fact that he was congratulating me on the job, but I could tell that he washesitant.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to come back to visit.” I couldn’t help but have a huge smile on myface.
“I know you will. Keeping you, Erica, and Lilly separated won’t last for long.” Greg’s face lit up as he chuckled. I relaxed, knowing that he was happy forme.
“You’re right, but we’ll work through it.” My mind was racing. This was my big break, and even though I hadn’t talked to Adam about it, I just knew he would be happy for me. He had to be. This was literally my dream job, the whole reason I went to college, and Max had made ithappen.
“Well, have a good night, and when you come into work tomorrow, go ahead and meet Chase on the second floor. He and Max have already been informed you will start tomorrow. We all kind of figured you would accept the position no matter what.” Greg’s smirk before he left me made me laugh. I had to admit, even though Max and I got off on the wrong foot, he and Greg seemed to have gotten to know me perfectly in just the little time I had beenhere.
When I reached the lobby, both Erica and Lilly were waiting for me. They jumped up from the couch and rushed tome.
“You didn’t tell us you were leaving!” The shriek came from Lilly. She was pulling me into a hug without a care in the world that her hair was in my mouth, and then I was also being smothered by Erica on my otherside.
“I gave Max the application on his birthday.” I felt shy telling the girls this. How would it be when I told Adam about it? I tried to not let it dampen themood.
“That is perfect for you! We need to go out to celebrate!” Lilly was storming out of the office building with the spirit of a teenager, dragging both Erica and me by the hand. “We need booze and music! We need a club! We needsex!”
“Whoa there, crazy woman. I was thinking about heading home and letting Adam know about the good news. He still hasn’t called me to let me know when he will behere.”
The smile on Lilly’s face vanished instantly. “Fine, but I expect a girls’ night out tomorrow!” Erica gave us both hugs before we put her in a cab. Lilly and I linked arms as we crossed the street, letting the silence of the night engulf us. Even when we got inside, I went to my room without aword.
I sat on the bed and thumbed through my phone. I paused on Adam’s number, taking a deep breath before hitting the callbutton.
Onering.
Tworings.
“Hey, darling.” I exhaled, relieved that Adam picked the phoneup.
“Hey.” I fisted my left hand into a ball to stop rubbing my fingerstogether.
“Youokay?”
“Yeah, I just wanted to tell you something aboutwork.”
“Speaking of work, Aaron said I could leave tomorrow for Atlanta, so I should be there by lateafternoon.”
I shot off the bed. “Finally!” I screamed, and put my hand over my mouth before giggling. “This so beats the news I had to share withyou!”
“And what would that newsbe?”
“I got a promotion at work.” I wasn’t at all shy about telling him, like I had been with the girls. I heard heavy breathing coming from Adam’s end. “You there,babe?”
“What do you mean promotion? Isn’t this only your fourthweek?”
