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JENN
My alarm chirps early,but I’ve been awake for most of the night. After Jennifer left, I chugged tons of water and ordered takeout to sop up the champagne in my stomach. Then, I finished work on my CV, cover letter, and began the overhaul of my social media for the rest of the week.
I should have been chasing dozens of jobs by now, but I’ve only applied to one. And the interview is today.
I step into the shower, hoping the water will cleanse me of my shaky nerves. Because everything is riding on this, it’s the interview of my life. Years from now, I might look back on this day and think: This is where the path diverged. This is where I really went for it. Because it’s like what Other Jennifer said: I’m not interested in ‘what ifs’ anymore.
If I want my life to be extraordinary, I have to make it happen.
I shimmy into my new red shirtdress and get ready, blow-drying my hair sleek, and applying a touch of makeup. The woman staring back at me in the mirror looks bold and confident, and I can only hope that I do her justice.
It’s time to shoot my shot.
“Look at you!” Millie intercepts me in the hallway, bouncing Isla on her hip. “You look amazing. You’ll nail this, no problem.”
I run a hand down the dress, smoothing it. “I hope so.”
“Listen to me,” she says firmly. “You’re great, and anyone would be lucky to have you.”
I exhale. “Thank you.”
She releases me. “Okay. Get out of here. You’ve got this!”
I head across town,my nerves building as I emerge from the subway and make the short walk to the site of my interview.
The very familiar site.
I pause on the sidewalk, looking up at the sign.
Vital Spa.
I’m back. Familiar belonging and anxiety hits me all at once. Was it really just a couple of months ago that I arrived here for that first recruiter interview, no idea of the story that lay ahead of me? I feel like a whole different person now. Older, wiser, a little more brokenhearted. And I know just how important it is for me to ace this interview and win this job back.
But that’s not all I’m here to win.
The place is buzzing when I step in the doors. I feel like my heart is beating right out of my chest, but I force myself to walk tall through the lobby and upstairs.
“Jenn!?” Asher boggles when I present myself in front of his desk. “What…? I mean, hi. I mean, it’s so good to see you!”
I give a nervous smile. “It’s great to see you too.”
“What brings you back?” he asks, craning around to check the office. Three guesses who for.
“Actually, I’m here for an interview,” I say, trying to sound more breezy than I feel. “For the head of marketing position.”
“Your old job?” he blinks. “Praise be! Austin came to his senses, then?”
“Not exactly…” I bite my lip. “He doesn’t know I’m here today. I’m kind of crashing the party.”
Asher grins, looking delighted. “I’ll put you in the schedule next,” he says with a wink, tapping on his keyboard. “Take a seat, you’ll be right up.”
“Thank you!”
I find a spot in the spacious waiting area, and glance around. There’s a stylish woman sitting on the couch opposite, flipping through a magazine. She has blunt-cut bangs, perfect wing-tip eyeliner, and a chic leather folder on the seat beside her. Another applicant.
My competition.
I try not to second-guess my move here. It’s a big risk, walking back in and trying to see Austin like this, but I don’t know what else to do. He’s not responding to any of my messages, and I can’t sit back, polishing my floors and just let this incredible man walk out of my life forever.
