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"It's up to me to find a replacement for Dr. Ashford," he tells me. "And I do have my eye on the perfect candidate already – a research scientist who will meet your exact qualifications."
"Me?" I blurt out.
My heart leaps and my stomach flutters with butterflies. Could it really be that easy? Could I really just slide right into Ashford's place and be welcomed with open arms into this prestigious lab? I never even dreamed that something like this would be possible.
But then I consider Ashford's role here at the hospital, and all excitement vanishes.
"Mr. Bardot, thank you so much for even considering me for that, but Ashford is the head of the Neurology wing. I specialize in cancer research. I...I don't think I could ever give up everything I've been working on for the past few years. I don't think you'd want me to do that either, if you really think about it. My work could really do a lot for Bardot in the medical community."
He scribbles something down on a piece of paper and slides it across his desk. "That's the salary. Take that with you and go home to think it over. Call me by tomorrow morning with your decision. Now get back to work," he demands, waving me away like I'm a bad smell.
On my way out the door, I can't resist taking a peak at the salary he wrote down for me. I know I shouldn't even consider taking the job. It would mean abandoning the whole reason I started working in biochemistry in the first place. I'd be giving up on my promise to my sister, to myself, and to Addy.
But when I see just how big the salary is...it's hard not to let myself imagine what it'd be like for at least a little while.
25
Joshua
The boxes of stuff from my office feel like they weigh a ton as I carry them from my trunk into my house. In reality, they're not that heavy - but I'm so drained and exhausted that even the thought of picking up a feather seems daunting.
Once everything is unloaded, I tear into the box of things from the bookshelf in my old office. It feels weird to think of it as my 'old' office, and even weirder to have the familiar framed photo of my mom back in my home again. There are others around of course, but this one has always been just for my workspaces.
I place the frame on the entry table in the foyer for now, knowing it will go with me to the next job when I have it - wherever that may end up being.
As much as it hurts to leave Bardot so suddenly and unceremoniously, I know I made the right choice. I made a promise to Vanessa. I told her I'd be there for her from now on. Maybe I can't do that in the way I wanted to, but the least I can do is make sure she gets to continue the work that means so much to her.
I take a break from unloading the boxes and head to the fridge to get a beer. As soon as the cap hisses off the bottle, my phone starts to ring in my pocket. I take a swig, then pull it out to answer.
"This is Ashford."
"Ashford, this is Kate. Have you talked to Vanessa today?" I immediately pick up on the worried tone of her voice.
"No. Not today. Why? Is everything okay?"
"I was hoping you could tell me," she replies. "I don't know what happened exactly, but apparently Vanessa just put in her notice. She's wanted this opportunity for so long. Do you have any clue what would make her do this?"
All I can think is she thinks it's the only way to get away from me after the way I treated her yesterday in my office.
"No, not exactly," I sigh. "But I have a pretty good idea. And don't worry. I'm not going to let this happen."
I hang up the phone and immediately grab my keys to bolt out the door. I have to go to Vanessa's apartment and tell her she can't do this. I'm not going to let her. I may have ruined things for her once, but I refuse to let that happen this time.
I swing the door open and am startled to see a figure already standing there. It only takes a split second for my eyes to adjust and realize it's Vanessa.
"You're here."
"I am," she says with a tense smile. "I'm glad I caught you."
"I was just about to haul ass across town to your place," I laugh. "Come inside."
I step aside to give her room to enter. "Kate Langley just called and said you put in your notice. You want to tell me what that's all about?"
"Well, after you ghosted me with no warning and then talked down to me like you wished you never knew me at all, I knew something had to be going on."
"Vanessa, I'm so sorry. I can explai--"
"And I was right," she snips. "Wasn't I? I saw my termination letter on your desk."
