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.
The woman glances up and sees me staring. “Are you here for the marketing job?” she asks.
I nod. “Good luck,” I offer, and she smiles.
“You too. The company sounds cool,” she adds, “but I’m not sure about this Banks guy. I’ve heard he can be kind of tough as a boss.”
“I’ve heard that too,” I agree. “But only because he cares so much about every small detail. His heart’s in the right place.”
“Oh,” she says, confused. “You know him?”
“I did.” I swallow back the pang of aching regret that fills my chest. “And you’d be lucky to know him, too.”
“Jenn?” Asher interrupts us, looking excited. “Austin just finished his call. You can go on through. Good luck!” he adds in a whisper, as I take one last deep breath, steel my nerves, and walk down the hall.
I knock on Austin’s office door, my heart pounding with nerves—and hope.
“Come in.”
He’s rising from his desk with a friendly smile when I walk in, no doubt expecting another applicant. When he sees me, the smile slips.
“Jenn?”
“Hi,” I say brightly, approaching his desk and sticking out my hand to shake. “I’m Jennifer Walker, and I’m here to interview for your head of marketing position.”
Austin just stares at me. “What is this?”
“An interview.” I reply, trying to ignore the wary expression in his eyes. “Here’s my CV, detailing all my relevant experience.” I place a copy on the desk between us, and plant myself in a chair. “You can ask me anything at all. About myself, my work, my life. I promise you, I’ll tell you everything.”
Austin exhales slowly. He doesn’t sit, instead, he circles the desk, and moves to look out the window. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Start wherever you want,” I insist, my stomach tied up in knots. “I mean it, Austin. I know honesty is everything to you, that’s why I’m here. I have nothing to hide. Ask me anything.”
He turns. “Why did you lie? I don’t mean that first day, when you came for the interview,” he adds, his face stony and impossible to read. “I get it, I was on full charm-offensive trying to talk you into the job. But after that… When we grew closer. There were so many moments you could have been honest, Jenn. That day at the pier. The batting cages. When I met all your friends… You could have just said something. Anything! Then we would have laughed about it, and moved forwards, and I wouldn’t have wound up… ” He trails off, raking a hand through his hair, but I know the rest.
Wound up hurt. Feeling betrayed. Wondering if he ever knew me at all.
My chest aches.
“I know,” I whisper, then try again, stronger. “And I should have told you, I know that now. But at the time… It was just all going so well. I never saw you coming, Austin,” I confess. “I’d always hoped I would meet someone and just know. Feel this connection, be able to picture our lives together. And then suddenly, it was you.” I look at him, feeling the pull of his presence like gravity, wishing I could wrap my arms around him. “You were the one who made me laugh, and feel desirable, and like I could do anything I set my mind to. And I could make excuses for why I didn’t come clean, about how I didn’t want to distract you from the launch, or screw up the opening, but the truth is…”
I gulp, feeling naked. Vulnerable. But I can’t stop now. I have to go all-in.
“The truth is, I was falling in love with you,” I tell him. “And I was so scared that if I told you about my lie, it would all just disappear.”
There’s silence. Austin doesn’t say a word, and his expression is unreadable.
My heart sinks. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was hoping maybe my words could cut through his distrust.
I guess I was wrong.
Swallowing back the sting of tears, I get to my feet. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that,” I say quietly. “And whatever happens… I’m so proud of you. You’re an amazing guy, and I hope you find everything you want in life.”
I walk slowly out of the office, a part of me still holding out hope that my words might move him in some way. But he doesn’t come after me.
Not in the hallway. Not in the waiting area. Not as I head back downstairs to the spa lobby…
Every step takes me further away from him. From us. But I did it. I made my case. I’m proud of myself for coming back and facing him, but still, I can’t stop the wave of sadness that wraps around me, echoing with loss and regret.
“Jenn!”
For a moment, I’m so wrapped up in heartache, I think I’m imagining Austin’s voice calling behind me in the lobby.
Then it comes again, echoing loudly.
“Jenn, wait!”
I freeze—and so does everybody else. All around me, spa guests and staff look to see what’s going on.
I turn.
Austin’s striding towards me, looking like something out of my wildest dreams.
I gape in disbelief. Am I dreaming? Did I trip and hit my head on the way down the stairs?
He reaches me, looking determined. “I’m sorry,” he says, and I just about stop breathing.
“W-what?” I stammer.
“I’m sorry,” he says again, as my head spins, and my heart pounds.
“But you have nothing to be sorry for,” I blurt. “I’m the one who—”
“Made a mistake.” He speaks over me. “A crazy, weird mistake. And yes, you hurt me, but I know…” Austin pauses, taking both my hands in his. Gazing into my eyes with an intensity that makes everyone else disappear. “I know you’ve been honest about everything that matters. About us. You and me, and the rest? It’s just details.”
Is he really saying this? My legs go weak and I hold on for dear life as he continues.
“I should have heard you out, and given us a second chance, but I let the past get in my way.” Austin swallows, searching my face. “I was punishing you for someone else’s betrayal, and I’m sorry for that. I love you, Jenn. Come back to me.”
He means it. He really means it.
“Yes!” I blurt, throwing my arms around his neck. I pull him close, relief like a tidal wave as I breathe in his familiar scent; feel the heat of his body wrapping me up in his arms.
Where I belong.
“You forgive me?” Austin asks, and I have to laugh in sheer joy and relief.
“If you forgive me,” I tell him, holding tight.
He kisses me in answer, hot and sweet, like it’s the first time. I fall into the kiss, savoring the taste of him, and the feeling of rightness that spreads in my bones. Because now we have this second chance, I know for sure, we won’t take it for granted again.
Someone gives a loud whistle, and we finally come up for air. There are whoops and applause, and I blush, remembering that we’re in the middle of the crowded lobby, with the staff all looking on.
Austin laughs. “Back to work, everyone,” he calls. “Or back to relaxation.”
He scoops me close against his body. “You better come upstairs,” he says, grinning.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Here? Now? Not that I’m complaining, but…”
Austin laughs. “To sign your new employment contract. What did you think I meant?” he smirks.
“Wait, you’re giving me the job?” I blink in surprise. I’ve been so focused on fixing our relationship, I totally forgot about the other side of things.
“It’s your job,” he replies. “I couldn’t have done all this without you.”
“We can debate that later,” I reply, smiling ear to ear. “But my answer is yes.”
Yes to whatever comes with Austin. Because I know, it’s going to be one hell of an adventure.