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I turn to face Paula. “Thank you for your time,” I say, my hand extended towards her to shake.
“It was nice to meet you. And make sure you give me a call once you have an answer.”
I smile. “I will. Thank you again.”
Paula waves a quick greeting towards Austin before rushing back in the direction of her office. I turn to face Austin again, and he stands, waving to the receptionist one last time before we walk back to the elevators.
“So how did it go?” Multiple people have gathered around us, all waiting for the elevator to arrive. I look at Austin with nervous eyes, wanting to wait until we have more privacy to speak.
Once outside, Austin looks at me eagerly. “So?”
I laugh, bringing my hand up to his arm. “It went well.”
“She offered you a position?”
“She did. In Seattle.”
His smile drops, eyes wide and puzzled. “Seattle?”
“Yeah, I guess there’s a need for a junior editor at the office there, and she offered the position to me.”
“So, you would be moving to Seattle?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Wow, that’s huge.”
“I know,” I agree softly. “I… I think I’m going to take it.”
“Really?”
I nod eagerly. Saying it out loud, acknowledging my decision, feels scary but exciting. Like I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this to come along without realizing how badly I wanted it.
“Well, shit. If I had known setting up this interview meant you’d be moving to another state, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
I laugh, playfully swatting his arm. I’m smiling, but he’s not. His eyes turn serious, and he looks at me with a hint of intensity that I’ve never seen in him.
I clear my throat. “Let’s grab a cup of coffee,” I suggest, pointing to a small pop-up coffee shop right next to the entrance of the building.
We order our coffees in silence, moving within the small, busy shop before stepping back outside and sitting on the steps of the entrance.
“You’ve pretty much made up your mind?” Austin asks again, confirming my answer from earlier. He’s close to me, his arm touching mine, and I can feel his eyes on me as he waits for my answer.
“I think so. I can’t really pass up an offer like this.”
“I’d miss you, Ellie. A lot.”
I look at him. “I’ll miss you too, Austin.”
And without missing a beat, he kisses me. It’s quick and soft, so fleeting that I barely have a minute to process it happening.
“Austin…”
“I’m sorry.” His voice is soft, yet hoarse.
I shake my head. “I know I never mentioned it to you before, but I was kind of seeing someone and…”
“You aren’t over him.”
