“I need a favor.”
After the call, I hang up, wondering if I’ll hear about the offer on the house soon.If not, I’ll take house number two.Build the deck of my dreams, even if it doesn’t have the view to match.But something tells me things are going to work out.Everything is falling into place.
Chapter 32
Amelia
“Drivesafe,”Icallout one last time as Aurora rolls down her window.
“I’ll text when I get back to the city.”She waves before pulling out of the driveway.
An hour later, I stand outside Luna’s office just before my break, my palms sweating as I grip the resignation letter in my hands.After talking to Mom last night, I knew I couldn’t keep working here.She encouraged me to take the leap, her exact words echoing in my mind.“If you quit, you’ll be forced to try something different.”I’ve been half-heartedly browsing job listings since my talk with Violet over a week ago, but between juggling everything, I haven’t given it my full attention.That stops now.
Through the glass, I can see Luna hunched over her keyboard, her dark hair falling in waves around her face as she types furiously.
I knock softly on the door.“Luna?Do you have a minute?”
She looks up, and her face immediately brightens.“Of course.Come in.”
Gesturing to the chair across from her, she turns away from her computer.“Is everything okay?”
I shut the door and settle into the chair, the letter burning like a secret in my hands.“I wanted to tell you in person before I hand in the paperwork.”Taking a deep breath, I meet her eyes.“I’m resigning.”
Luna’s expression shifts from confusion to something like panic.
“Are you sure?”
I give her a reassuring smile.“Yeah.I’ll do the two weeks as per my contract, but after that, I’d like to leave.”
She runs her hands through her hair, something I’ve only seen her do when she’s stressed.“Look, I’m really sorry I couldn’t give you the promotion, but you know I couldn’t afford to lose—”
“Luna, it’s fine.”And I mean it.“You must do what’s right for the business.I get it.But I also have to do what’s right for me.”
She leans back in her chair, reading my face.“I respect that.But if you don’t mind me asking, what are you planning to do?”
As hard as it is, I respect Luna; she’s still family to me.So, I want to be honest with her.
“To be transparent, my heart isn’t in writing stories about day-to-day things in town.I’ve wanted more, but I held on because I thought that a promotion was coming eventually, and things would change with that.When you went with Tannis, it really opened my eyes to the fact that I’ve been sitting around.I need to chase after what I want, which is fashion and lifestyle.”
Luna’s expression softens with understanding as she reaches over to take my hand.“If you ever need help, you know I’m here.”
“Thanks.I might take you up on that.”
“Good.I’d love to be there for you.”She reaches across the desk, taking the resignation letter.“This doesn’t change anything between us, you know that, right?”
“I know.Thanks, Luna.”
“Anytime.”She sets the letter aside without reading it, her eyes never leaving mine.“I’m going to miss having you around here.”
I stand up, feeling the decision settling in.It’s scary, but it feels right.“I’ll miss this place too.But I think it’s time.”
Luna rises from her chair and walks around the desk to face me.For a moment, we just stand there, the change hanging between us.Then she pulls me into a hug, brief but warm.
“You’re going to be amazing with whatever comes next.”
“Thank you, Luna.For everything.You were how I got started in this career, and you’ve taught me so much.”
I leave the office on unsteady legs, my heart still beating fast against my ribs.Entering the breakroom, I find it empty.I collapse into one of the chairs and pull out my phone to tell Adrian.
