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I drop my shoulders. “Yes. But I’m fine, Jax is back now and we’re getting through this together.”
“You know mum had a go at me for not keeping an eye on you,” he says in a low voice. “And bloody Sian was on the phone this morning, in my ear about her baby sister’s safety. Don’t be pissed off with me for being able to help.”
I ignore the irritating baby sister comment but I’d never considered the pressure I’ve put Bryn under with everything I’m doing. I put all Bryn’s behaviour down to overprotectiveness. I should’ve realised Mum was nagging him, and now my sister is interfering.
“Tell her I’m fine. Please.”
“Yeah.” Bryn grabs hold and squeezes the breath from me. “Just be bloody careful.”
Embarrassed, I disentangle myself. “Bryn!”
With a laugh, he flicks my nose. “See you later, little Tegan.”
I mutter words Bryn doesn’t want to hear under my breath as he strides away. Sarah and Claire stare, and when they giggle, I turn my back.
Yep, I’m back to being Bryn Hughes’s little sister and Jax Lewis’s girlfriend.
* * *
Later that morning, Tina calls me into her office. I’m planning a night out somewhere quiet with Jax tonight. We’ve begun to discuss our plans for after the tour; he has the album to finish and I have decisions to make. This is too good to be true — we stay in London together, navigate our relationship, and see how we go. I could stay and work here until I start uni and take a course that fits the role, because I love what I’m doing.
So a summons by Tina lurches my stomach. That could all be about to come crashing down; my work might not be up to scratch.
Tina’s office is huge, befitting her position in the company. Awards line the shelves and hang on the walls, pictures of her with Blue Phoenix and other high profile clients. I’ve never been able to figure Tina’s age, she wears heavy make up on exceptionally smooth skin. Could be anywhere between thirty and fifty. A young girl with sleek platinum blonde hair, not much different in age to me enters the room. She sets coffees from the expensive machine I’ve yet to figure out how to use on the table, along with large muffins. Tina barely registers her arrival and departure, flicking through documents on the laptop screen. I sit opposite and sip my coffee.
“Tegan,” she says and looks up with a tight smile.
“Hey.” My heart flutters. Don’t burst my happy bubble. “You wanted to chat with me?”
“Yes. I have a suggestion for you.” She closes her laptop.
“For the campaign? Sure, Riley said you’d taken a good look over the results.”
“I have. Impressive. The amount of traffic generated and number of click throughs we’re getting is higher than I imagined. You have a handle on what attracts people. Riley said the web copy was your idea?”
“Well, not all…”
“How do you feel about a trip to the States?” She picks at a muffin with manicured, red fingernails.
“Uh. States? How long for?”
“Riley can’t go, she has other commitments, and I think this would be a good experience for you.”
I rub my head, blindsided by her suggestion. “Wow. I mean. Um. I’m not sure. Where?”
She continues her explanation, as nonchalantly as if she’s asked me to bring her another coffee. “New York. We could have a position open for you too if things go well. The latest intern is leaving next month.”
I grip the smooth coffee cup. “Position?”
“You have a talent, we have an opening. Think about it.”
My mind scrambles. A switch from travelling the world to full-time work? From London plans to a job at a prestigious firm in New York.New York. “Right.”
Tina picks up a pen and glances at me. “Any questions?”
“Yes. No. I need to think about this.” Already in my mind’s eye, I’m living in a loft apartment in Brooklyn. I have a friend who studies at Columbia and sends me pictures and stories. I never thought I’d be able to afford New York.
“Of course you do. I’d say take your time, but I need to know by the time this campaign is done with. You’d leave shortly after the Ruby Riot project is complete.”
