No excuses, no pandering. Just the truth. “I told Ebele what I did.”
Jasleen’s expression shifts back to surprise. “You did?”
“It was wrong of me to take your idea—which is brilliant, by the way. There’s no way I could have ever pulled it off.”
“True.”
“And,” I continue, searching for the right words and finding there are none. “I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t fuck everything up past the point of you being able to fix it.”
Jasleen tosses her hair over her shoulder in mock sass. “Nothing is ever past the point where I can’t fix it.”
I smile at her confidence, truly believing her. “Anyway. I’m out of here. Ebele let me go.”
Jasleen’s brows shoot up. “She did?”
“Yup. I deserve it.” I shrug like it’s no big deal and I’m not floundering with what the hell I’ll do with my life or how I’ll be able to pay my bills.
“Thank you for telling the truth,” Jasleen offers.
I manage to nod. “I also wanted to apologize for the way I’ve behaved around you.”
She tilts her head, but stays quiet.
“I haven’t always been the most kind to you. You reminded me of the girls in high school I always wanted to be friends with but never was. You’re just so well put together, and confident, and stylish, and I found that intimidating.” I give my head a slow shake. “I let my jealousy of your strength and intelligence get in the way of our work relationship, and our mission here at Kindness Forward. I should have rallied behind you and supported you instead of being jealous. I made the same mistake back in high school, but I guess it was a lesson I had to repeat. In the end, it’s my loss. You’re a really cool person and I’d have been lucky to call you a friend.”
Being this vulnerable with Jasleen makes me feel cracked open and raw, but instead of a snarky remark she offers a genuine smile. “Thank you. You’re not so terrible, yourself.”
I step back toward her door. “Take care, Jasleen. And even though I don’t work here anymore, I hope you reach out if you need any help on the project. I’m not as capable as you, and I don’t have Linda’s yoga skills, or Samantha’s talents with music, but if you need a business plan.” I snap my fingers and point at her. “I’m your girl.”
She laughs again, her smile radiant. “I will.”
“Oh,” I say, turning to leave but pausing and twisting back. “I hate to ask, but can you do me a favour?”
Jasleen rolls her eyes playfully. “Depends on what it is.”
“Can I store my office stuff in here for the day and then meet up with you sometime to grab it? Maybe over lunch? Bottomless mimosas?”
Jasleen sighs. “Sure. But make it Pilates and brunch. I’ve only been begging you to go with me since you started here.”
I grin. “Deal.”
Jasleen rises from her desk and joins me in my office, helping sort through everything and stack what I need to keep into boxes. We work well together, side by side with no animosity between us. Linda and Samantha poke their heads in the door to see what the commotion is, both of them surprised and sad to see me go. After a tearful goodbye and hugs all around, I make my way down the hall of Kindness Forward one last time, glancing over my shoulder and giving Team Rainbow a final wave.
Outside, as I hail another Uber, it settles in that I’m out of a job. I have no idea what I’m going to do. I suppose those are the consequences of my actions, though, and if it means making things right then that’s what needed to happen.
The only way out is through. And I’m committed, regardless of outcome, to press on.
I check the time on my phone.Fuck, it’s going to be close.I didn’t expect that to take so long. I text Olsen from the Uber to confirm that he’s home and tell him I’m on my way to his place. Lex should already be with Gabe at his school, so Olsen and I will be able to talk privately.
Thirty minutes later I approach Olsen’s house, my footsteps heavy. The little voice in the back of my mind is urging me to turn around, to follow the path of least resistance, to tell Olsen whatever I need to tell him to let all this blow over with minimal damage to my life. But that won’t make anything better, and I’m not running from my mistakes anymore. Whatever happens, I’m going to face it head-on and take every awkward moment in stride.
Olsen answers the door after my first knock, his face bright and hopeful and without a single fucking clue. “You made it! I was just about to leave. Wow, you look stunning.” He does a quick up-and-down, admiring my dress, before sweeping me into a hug and holding me close.
I wrap my arms around him, because honestly I need a hug after the day I’ve had.
He pulls away and holds me at arm’s length. “I was worried you weren’t going to make it. Gabe would have been gutted. Me, too, honestly. I told my parents about you, and—”
I scrunch my nose. “About that.”
