Page 101 of One Last Thing Before You Go

Hey Lottie,

It was great seeing you last weekend!

I was so happy to see your email this morning asking for more info on the role. I’ve attached the deck we’ve been passing around to potential investors. Take a closer look and tell me how you feel about it.

I’ve spoken to Beka and we both agree that based on your background and just who you are, you’d be a great fit.

When you and I worked together, I used to dream about being part of something big like this with you, because I knew we’d both be able to go far. I can’t believe it’s actually happening!

Let me know your thoughts and we can talk salary. And like I said, you’re more than welcome to stay in my second bedroom while you find your own place in the city. Best,

Mads

Islip the phone back in Knox’s coat pocket, snuggling into it, letting its weight and warmth soothe me. The email is burned into my brain, but I keep pulling it up in my phone over and over again, rereading it in disbelief at the twins’ birthday party. Knox is busy playing with the kids in the backyard, getting tackled by a dozen mini-NFL players. Meanwhile I watch him, sulking in a corner at my brother’s house.

I take a sip of some organic healthy juice pouch thing (whatever happened to real Capri Suns, anyway?) and wince. Because I am pathetic. It’s here. My ticket out. More than just the means to move out of Ceres Cove, I have an actual position waiting for me. A job. I finally have exactly what I’ve been working so hard to get since the second I came back to this town. And I haven’t told a single soul about it. Not my brothers. Not Jenn. Not my sister. And certainly not Knox.

Why, you ask? I have no idea.

But I have to tell someone. Soon. Or I swear I’m going to explode. Except that I don’t know what to say. Hey, I got everything I wanted and more but I don’t know why I’m not more excited about it?

I squeeze my eyes shut and lean on the porch rail. “God, what am I even doing?”

“What’s with the emo vibe, dude? There’s free cake and hot dogs. It’s perfection.” My eyes fly open in surprise.

“Ale.”

“You gonna tell me why you’re acting all depressed at the twins’ birthday party? You’re gonna scare the kids if you don’t get it together.”

I laugh once and slap my older brother softly on the arm. “Just stressed. Adulthood, and all that.”

“That’s showbiz.” He nods and lifts his juice pouch in solidarity. “Now do you want to cut the shit and tell me what’s really wrong?”

“Language, Alejandro. Your kids might hear you.” I shoot him a smile, but he’s not having it.

“They’ve heard worse. Now be serious. Is it Captain Dipshit over there?” He nods in Knox’s direction, who’s being chased by the entirety of the kids at the party. My heart squeezes in my chest when I catch his eyes and he grins at me. Distracted, he trips over his own feet and rolls on the grass, only to be tackled once more by the little monsters.

“Don’t call him that.”

Alejandro rolls his eyes. “Fine. Knox. Is it about Knox.”

“I… In a way.”

“Okay. And what way is that?”

“I, ah… I’m going to tell you something. Something I haven’t told anyone. I don’t want anyone to know yet because I don’t know how to feel about it for some reason.” I play with my juice pouch’s straw, unable to meet his gaze. “I just… I may need some solicited brotherly advice on this one.”

I look up to see Ale’s brows raised in surprise. “Solicited? As in, actively seeking my advice?”

“Stop. Don’t be a drama queen. Can you help or not?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me what this is all about.”

I pause and take a deep breath. “Okay. Okay, well. It turns out, this past weekend, I ran into an old coworker from my old job…”

I tell Alejandro everything. How we ran into Madison as soon as we arrived to the B&B and her job offer. I even tell him about Knox and I making the decision to stay together, how he promised he’d follow me anywhere. “And even though we agreed on all that. And even though I was offered a dream job. I still feel weird about it.”

He nods thoughtfully. “Do you think maybe it’s because you’re not as into Knox as you think?”