This mask takes away all peripheral vision, but I feel Logan’s arm move as he turns to me. “What is it?” he asks.
“I got an interview request,” I say. I don’t know if it’s because we’re dressed like an old married couple or what, but I hand the phone to Logan like this is standard behavior. “It’s for a job that’s way higher than the role I was in before.”
He scrolls through the email. “This is great!” he says, handing my phone back. “Congrats. You’re one step closer.”
“Logan, I was qualified for half of the bullet points in the senior analyst job description.” I don’t share that I only applied because the application process just required uploading my résumé.
“I seriously doubt that if they’re asking you for an interview,” he says. “Looks like they’re eyeing you for the manager role, too.”
“That makes no sense,” I say. “I don’t have experience. It’s probably a mistake.”
Any minute now, a follow-up email from Milly will come in about how she meant to send that to a different candidate.
Logan fixes the buttons on his sleeves, adjusting his watch and redstring bracelet. “This is the second fortune,” he says. “The one about executing on your goals. You did that, and it’s officially October.”
This, again.
“Wasn’t that not supposed to be driven by money?” I recall. “This goal was specifically driven by the need for money.”
“Part of the fortune was that you have everything you need to make your dreams a reality,” Logan says. “I think you’d make a great manager. This is a good thing, Hazel. You’re allowed to enjoy it.”
I don’t know what about me makes him think that I’d be good at managing people. Before I can ask, a tall woman in a yellow dress and chunky jewelry taps on her microphone so we can get started.
We watch the first winner, Marlin from Queens, talk to the woman, who introduces herself as Gretchen. Marlin’s wearing a Knicks jersey that appears to be signed, which makes me wonder if he’s already received his money.
“I went lump sum,” Marlin tells Gretchen. “I need the funds for Marlinworld.”
“Marlinworld?” she asks.
“A water park,” he says like it should be obvious. “There’ll be an area with rides and slides, but you’ll also find the most exotic sea life you’ve ever seen. I’m talkin’ deep-sea stuff.”
“Wow! You’ve got a whole plan,” Gretchen says. “Which exotic marine life are you most excited about?”
We never do find out. Before he answers, two police officers burst through the doors. There are gasps and murmurs in the crowd of media.
Logan positions himself in front of me as the scene unfolds. Instinctively, I grab his arm.
“Marlin Mavers?” one officer asks.
“Shit,” Marlin says, tossing his microphone and running toward the door across the room.
A third officer steps between the doorframe, blocking Marlin. In a flash, the guy’s handcuffed and escorted out. The whole scene is captured on cameras and phones.
Guess there won’t be a Marlinworld after all.
I expect the press conference to be rescheduled, but Gretchen has ashow must go onattitude and doesn’t miss a beat. Which means we’re up second.
“You still good to do this?” Logan asks.
Once my heart rate settles, I feel oddly relieved. We’re here. We’re dressed up. I need the money. So yeah, I better be ready. And after that excitement, no one will even be thinking about Logan and me. This might not have to be a big show, after all.
Still, Logan leans in and whispers, “We got this.”
It’s the way he says it, low and steady, that makes me believe him.
As we approach the podium, Gretchen’s assistant hands us a replica of our ticket. The numbers Logan picked are slightly blurry with how blown up they are. I stand to Logan’s right, keeping him between me and Gretchen. The lights of all the cameras shine directly in our faces. I worry that the brightness will reveal our fake creases.
“And now we’d like to congratulate Logan Wells and Hazel Yen!” Gretchen announces, stretching the “n” in my name for a few seconds with enthusiasm. “Married all these years, and still different last names, huh? How many years has it been?” She flips the microphone over to Logan.
