Lacey grinned.“You’re notthatold.”
Eli took over.“Lacey, you’ve been so patient over the years, so willing to be more than just our director.You’ve been a good friend, the sort of friend who praises you when you do well, but who also isn’t afraid to tell you when you screwed up.Your feedback has helped us grow, not just as TV hosts, but as people.”
“Oh, guys.”Lacey wiped a tear from her eye.
Nick took the mic.“The servers are bringing around some champagne.While the glasses are being filled, I’ll just say a few more words.Lacey, on behalf of the entireHandymenteam, we want to thank you, and also congratulate you on getting a new job with the Create Network.Your future is going to be so bright, and we will all be cheering you on.”He then grabbed a couple of things that they’d stashed behind the podium.He presented Lacey with the bouquet of red roses, as well as a jewelry box.“This is from all of us.”
When Lacey opened the distinctive blue box and saw the sparkly bracelet, she gasped.“Oh my goodness, it’s beautiful.”She slid it on her wrist.“Thank you all so much.It’s been my honor to work with every single one of you, and I guarantee that if I taught you anything, you taught me even more.I’m a better person for knowing you all.”
Nick held up his champagne glass.“To Lacey!”
Everyone stood and held up their glasses, echoing his words.
Nick caught Claire’s eye and held up his glass to her as well.
She smiled and did the same.
Just as he was heading back to his table, his phone buzzed.It was a message from Teagan.
Hey, Nick!We’ve had to make an adjustment to our schedule in Victoria because the homeowner needs to have a medical procedure done.I’ve had to bump everything up by a week.The revised schedule is attached.Let me know when you get this.Thanks!
A week sooner.
That meant one less week with Claire.
Fuck.
How on earth was he going to handle this?
* * * *
Nick was quiet on the way back to his house, strangely quiet.In fact, he’d clammed up right after doing his toast to Lacey.Claire hoped his concerns about doing his new show without her hadn’t reappeared.He’d been saying such nice things about his new director and seemed excited to work with Teagan, but his connection to Lacey was a strong one.
As he parked the car in his driveway, she searched for a way to broach the subject.“It was a nice party.I think Lacey really appreciated what you guys said.”
“Thanks.”
They got out of the car and walked up the stairs to his porch.He flipped through the keys on his keyring, searching for the one to the house.The porchlight illuminated the frown on his face.
“Nick, are you okay?”
He didn’t move for a few seconds.When he turned to her, a strange energy underscored his movements.There was something frantic, and yet hopeful, as he seized a breath.“Teagan texted earlier.I have to leave a week sooner than I thought.”
Claire almost heard the terriblethunkas her heart dropped into her shoes.She’d known this moment was coming, they both had, but a whole seven days sooner?
That meant they only had one week until their relationship would be tested.
She loved Nick, she really did, but there was no denying that this would be a test.
And she’d failed tests before.
His voice was a whisper.“Say something.”
“I don’t know what to say.”Her throat grated.Her eyes burned.Her voice might have been a croak.
Do not cry.Do not cry.Youknewthis would happen.Dammit!
Why did you open yourself up to this heartache?
