"Clear your schedule for next week," Jessica said without preamble. "Thursday and Friday. Boston."
Lily's stomach did something complicated. "Boston?"
"SPECA headquarters. I just got off the phone with Dr. Patricia Okonkwo—she's the Director of Research Operations. They want to discuss an official partnership."
"What kind of partnership?"
"The serious kind. Documentary-style content series. Behind-the-scenes access to their research operations. Potential funding for multi-episode educational campaigns." Jessica's voice shifted into deal-making mode. "This is the pivot, Lily. The real one. SPECA has credibility, funding, and access to researchsites around the world. If we can lock in a formal partnership, it legitimizes everything you've been building."
Lily's mind was racing.
Boston. SPECA headquarters.
Where Alex was based.
"Lily? You still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here." She forced her voice to stay steady. "This sounds amazing, Jess. I'm in."
"I already booked your flight. I'm emailing the details now." A pause. "You okay? You sound weird."
"I'm fine. Just... processing."
After they hung up, Lily sat on her couch and stared at the wall.
Boston.
The word echoed in her head, dragging all sorts of unwanted thoughts behind it.
He works for SPECA. He might be there. You might see him.
But she shoved the thought down almost as quickly as it surfaced.
He'd had five weeks. Five weeks to reach out, to send a single text, to give any indication that what happened on that island meant something to him. He hadn't. The silence was its own answer.
This isn't about him,she told herself firmly.This is about your career. About building something meaningful. About proving you're more than pretty pictures and sponsored posts.
And if some small, stubborn part of her whisperedbut what if—well, that part could shut up.
She was done waiting for men who couldn't find the courage to choose her. Done hoping someone else would be brave enough to say the words first.
She was going to Boston for herself.
For her work.
For the future she was building out of heartbreak and purpose.
That was all.
The night before her flight, Lily packed with the mindset of a business professional, not aninfluencer.
Professional blazers. Sensible heels. A folder of research she'd compiled on SPECA's current initiatives, their funding gaps, their messaging weaknesses. Jessica had drilled her on talking points until she could discuss coral restoration techniques in her sleep.
You need to walk in there as a serious partner,Jessica had said.Show them you've done the work.
Lily had done the work. She'd done nothing but work for the past five weeks—research, interviews, content creation. Anything to keep her mind occupied. Anything to fill the hollow space that Alex had left behind.
She zipped her suitcase and set it by the door.
