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“But…” I can’t leave Joy after I just got her. After I just got back to her.
Henry raises one hand to interrupt where my head was already heading. “Joy is being offered a position in the New York office, as well. And I have it on good authority that she’s a shoo-in for it.”
I don’t know what to say. What will Joy say? “I need to talk to Joy first.”
Henry nods. “Of course. Think about it over the holidays and let me know. You can start at the beginning of February. That should give you time to wrap things up here and find a place to live there.
“Thank you, Henry.”
“Don’t thank me, Kris. Joy was right. You deserve this.”
I walk out of Henry’s office in stunned silence. My dream job is mine if I want it. Of course I do, but what if Joy isn’t ready to leave California? Her family?
“Kris?” I glance up to see her strolling toward me, and we meet halfway. “I got a new job offer.”
“I know. I did too.”
“What do you think?”
Joy is uncharacteristically quiet for a moment before finally answering. “I think we should take them. This is your dream.”
“What about your family?”
“My family is in New York, too.”
I smile at her, relieved that she’s so understanding and supportive. Though we’ve only been together for a few months, being apart from Joy hurts me more than I care to admit.
“It’ll be okay,” she says softly, reading the worry in my eyes. “As long as we’re together, everything else will work out.”
“Okay then.” I guess we’re moving to New York.
10
Joy
One Year Later…
I drum my fresh manicure against the arm of the chair as I wait for Kris to arrive home, scrutinizing the room to make sure everything is perfect.
The Christmas tree is lit and looks stunning. Check.
The gifts beneath the tree are wrapped and artfully displayed. Check.
Candles are lit, and I poured the wine. Check. Check.
Christmas music plays softly in the background. Check.
It’s been two years since Kris gave me those fluffy pink handcuffs. A year since we moved to New York. I’m not sure about winter weather yet, but I love the big city lights and ambiance, especially at this time of year.
Snowflakes are dancing outside one of our enormous windows—one of the many reasons I love this apartment. It’s cozy and romantic with the best view. Kris loves it, too. We lucked out finding this two-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side. Right place, right time, and it became ours just a few days after we started looking.
We’ve made much progress over the past year in our new jobs. Kris is creating a name for himself with several very successful launches, and I love my editorial job. Plus, I’ve gotten close to my cousins Todd, Thea, and Tomas again. Todd’s wife, Felicity, is lovely. I hadn’t seen her or Todd since their wedding. While I might not see my parents as often as I’d like, my aunt and uncle have taken me under their wing as if I were one of their own.
Kris’s parents are doing well. We spent three weeks in California with them over the summer. His mother has made impressive leaps in her rehabilitation. She’s now using a walker to go short distances around her and her husband’s home. I still remember the tears in Kris’s eyes when he saw her that first day, and she walked to greet him.
It’s almost six, and still no sign of him. He had a late meeting with an author with a new book releasing on the first of the New Year. I’m so proud of Kris. I still think he should be an agent, but he loves marketing.
I can’t help but feel a sense of giddy satisfaction as I think about the surprise I have for him this year. I remember last year when he surprised me by showing up early in San Diego as Santa. The memory of it still makes my heart beat faster.
