Jessica had never felt so much like she was flying as she did backstage at the MeanGreen gala. Everything went exactly as planned, actually better than planned. The models in their body paint stalked down the runway in breathtaking form; Jessica could already feel the buzz building in the night, and the dramatic makeup only heightened the whole experience.
The audience was filled not only with industry people but also with a few well-placed celebrities who liked to tweet about it things.
The show was only half over when the Twitterverse exploded. In fact, by the time the show was over, the models and their all-nude paint was all anyone was talking about. #MeanGreen, in fact, hit the top three trending topics by night’s end.
“You nailed this one, boss,” whispered Katy Johnson, her assistant, backstage. In that one moment, Jessica knew she really had. For the first time, she didn’t feel like an imposter. She’d really done this. It wasn’t some fluke or happy accident. This had been her brainchild and it had been a wild success.
Even her boss, Michael Wilson, executive vice president of VertPlus.net’s Sweet Valley office, agreed.
“Great work out there tonight,” he told her as he gave her elbow a little squeeze. In the background, the indie band Hilt was rocking the stage. Hilt had been a suggestion from Liam, who knew the band’s lead guitarist. Despite his overtexting lately, she had to admit that Liam had really come through with the band. She’d have to thank him tomorrow.
Michael grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing tray and handed it to her. Jessica took it happily. The gala was winding down, and it was now or never. She had to put her plan into motion so she could go meet Todd for their late dinner at Le Bouchon.
She glanced at Michael’s face, framed by short, sandy-colored hair, and thought he carried the kind of boyish good looks that she could really go for. That is, if she weren’t already in love with Todd.
“Thanks, Michael. Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Michael met her eyes, and for a split second, she saw hope there. It was clear to nearly everyone he liked her beyond a professional level. He’d ratcheted up the flirting since Jessica had publically separated from Todd. Of course, Michael never stepped over the line. He kept their relationship friendly and professional, but in recent months, he’d grown slightly warmer. He also found excuses to touch her more. Like his hand on her elbow right now.
In his eyes, she saw a flicker of desire…and hope.
Jessica hesitated, but then decided to rip off the Band-Aid quickly. She had never been one to baby anybody.
“Michael, I have loved the opportunities I’ve had here at VertPlus.net. I’ve enjoyed working with you so much.”
Confusion passed across Michael’s face. “Jessica, it sounds like you’re leaving.”
“I’m sorry, Michael, but I think I need to spend more time with my family.” Jessica knew this was the last thing he wanted to hear, but she pressed on. There wasn’t any need now to pretend that she put her career first and her family second. Now she could just put her family first. In some ways, that came as a kind of relief. Mostly. Except for the nagging doubt in her mind. Was she doing the right thing? She pushed aside the thought. It was too late now anyway. Todd was waiting for her.
“My son, Jake, needs me, and I’m going to try to spend some time working on my marriage.”
She could see those words came as a real shock to Michael. Like the rest of the office, he’d been hearing rumors she might be dating Liam O’Connor. Nobody had ever mentioned she was getting back together with her husband, Todd.
“Jessica, please. Have you thought this through?”
Jessica didn’t know if he meant the job or Todd, but in either case, her answer was the same.
“I have, Michael. I’ve made up my mind.” At least, she thought she had. But something about the look on her boss’s face, and the fact that she was about to walk away from the one place where she’d proven to everyone just what a winner she really was, made her pause. Was she doing the right thing? Somehow, it didn’t quite feel like it.
“If it’s the money, we could negotiate something….”
“No, Michael. It’s not about money. It’s personal. I want to make my marriage work and I have to do this.”
Michael’s shoulders slumped and he looked at his feet, realizing there really wasn’t any way he could force her to stay.
“Well, we’ll miss you, Jessica.” Michael moved in for a hug, and she let him.
For a horrible second, she even thought she might cry. But she didn’t. As hard as this was to do, she knew she’d made her choice. She was giving up her career for Todd. And, as she thought about her husband waiting for her at Le Bouchon, all doubt and sadness disappeared.
She was going to have her family back and this sacrifice would be worth it.