It’s dated from yesterday afternoon, so it’s not unreasonable that I haven’t responded to it yet. The problem is that I nowhaveto respond to it much sooner than I’d prefer to.
Mary,
I hope your stay at Black Spruce Ranch is treating you well so far. I’m reaching out due to a recent acquisition.
Luxe Retreats has signed on with the agency, and, after reviewing the profiles of our marketing team, have requested to work with you! I have advised them of your current responsibilities, but they are looking for an immediate start to this project.
I understand that this would mean abandoning your current project, but this is a real opportunity for career advancement, and it comes with a large bonus.
We’ll need an answer within the next few days, but I’ve told them you’re likely to accept.
Reach out with any questions.
I have absolutely no clue what to say.
I’m so far past stunned that I don’t have words to describe how I feel. Feelings of shock and excitement and guilt are all warring for domination of my gut. What am I supposed to do when everything I’ve ever worked for is being handed to me on a silver platter? Throw it all away just because the timing is inopportune? Ignore my responsibilities here so I can continue to climb the corporate ladder?
I don’t know how I could face Everett to tell him I’m leaving to take this contract.
Things onlyjuststarted looking up again. I barely managed to make it through those several tense days with my sanity intact, and now I’m expected to throw it all away?
Can I do that to Everett? To Jenny?
It wasn’t that long ago that I was telling Jenny I cared about her dad. I’ll look like a huge asshole if I follow up that statement by walking away from all of this. Hell, I’llbea huge asshole if I do.
That’s never bothered me before. I’ve never let emotions cloud my head when it comes to my job, and it’s what makes me so good at what I do. I know how to pull at people’s heartstrings, make them sympathetic, get them attached. I just always thought that I was immune to having conflicting desires like this. For the first time in my career, I’m second-guessing my motivations.
The biggest carrot in the world is being dangled right in front of me, and I’m debating if the stick has more sentimental value to me.
For fuck’s sake.
I exit my email and toss my phone off to the side. I slump back against my pillows, slinging my arm across my eyes to block out the sunlight. I’m up much earlier than usual today, and I can smell warm syrup and sugar wafting from the kitchen. Everett’s voice rumbles quietly through the halls, and I smile sadly at the sound. I can’t make out what he’s saying, or what Jenny says in return, but it’s nice to know they’re having breakfast together.
Maybe they’re starting to patch things up between them.
Any other morning, I’d jump at the chance to have breakfast together, but the thought of looking either of them in the eye makes me shrink back against the pillows uneasily. I feel transparent, like the offer from Mr. Jameson is written right across my forehead for the whole world to see.
All I want to do is pretend like I didn’t see the email, but I know avoidance will only work for so long.
Besides, I’ve already wasted enough time. I’ll need to respond to him by tomorrow at the latest.
I jolt up at the sound of shouting. Suddenly, both Everett’s and Jenny’s voices are overlapping and not in a friendly way. I shove my way out of bed and yank on whatever clothes are closest, not paying attention to whether they match or not. All that matters is getting to the kitchen and stopping this argument in its tracks. They’ve both been trying so hard, and I don’t want to see their progress go down the drain.
Not when I’m probably going to be disappearing from their lives soon.
When I hear the front door slam, I decide to skip shoes and dash for the kitchen
Jenny’s head whips up, her eyes wide and wet with tears, and I immediately start toward her. The fury in her eyes stops me in my tracks, but it doesn’t stop my heart from aching when I see tears on her cheeks.
“Well?” Her voice is tight with frustration, and she tosses her hands up in the air, obviously exasperated. “You got some amazing plan ready yet, or are you here to tell me Dad’s right?”
I wince at the whiplike sarcasm in her tone, the anger on her face doing a poor job of hiding how hurt she is. It seemed like we were all on the same page after the incident with Mr. Mallory, and I don’t know how they ended up at each other’s throats so quickly.
“I’m working on a plan,” I say, keeping my voice soft as I slowly make my way over toward the table. “Did something happen? I heard you two shouting.”
Jenny’s shoulders stiffen, but she doesn’t flinch away from me when I take the seat beside her. Her lip wobbles, and she turns her head away from me as she sucks in several sharp, steadying breaths.
“Same old shit,” she says, laughing humorlessly. “Dad’s set in his fucking ways and won’t listen to a thing I say.”
