Page 154 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

Or when she smiles.

Talks.

Moves.

Exists.

Even when that existence includes extreme cleaning.

I reach forward, taking her hands in mine. ‘Well, what if I told you I’m here for the flicker and staying for the fully turned on?’

Behind me, I hear Carlos let out a whistle and I turn in time to see him flap his hand against Oz’s ribs. ‘That right there? Those words? Total #RomanceGoals.’

Hildy nods and tells them, ‘I think he’s been dipping into Barry White.’

Carlos and Oz exchange mystified looks and Oz asks Carlos quietly, ‘Should we maybe google that?’

Ashleigh reaches out and lays a hand against my cheek to get my attention and her words are low and determined when she says, ‘I’ll get better at this.’

‘We both will,’ I promise.

‘So, what’s your exciting news?’

‘Oh. That. I have a job interview. That’s what I was on the phone arranging.’

‘But that’s fabulous, George. We’ll go out and celebrate, right everyone?’ She turns to the group.

‘I’m seeing a rooftop bar,’ Carlos agrees. ‘Lots of alcohol. You down for that, Mrs. Lundy?’

‘Absolutely,’ she says.

‘While you have no idea how much I love that you all want to celebrate with me,’ I tell them. ‘I kind of need to get to the hospital.’

‘Hospital? Something’s wro—’ Ashleigh stops and regroups, only to then take a step back from me, her expression turning wary. ‘Wait a minute, where is this interview?’

‘It’s at Memorial,’ I reply.

‘You’re interviewing for the job Kyle Denton offered you? That’s who you were on the phone with?’

‘Yes. And it’s all down to you and the kintsugi.’

‘The kintsugi?’

‘Last night when you were explaining how it painted over cracks – not to airbrush them out but to celebrate them, I got tingles.’

‘You had a panic attack?’

‘What – no. I haven’t had a panic attack since you helped me look at everything differently. Tingles as in sparks,’ I tell her. ‘A jolt of electricity. The type I always got when a great idea for a campaign struck. You got me thinking about how people can feel imperfect or not whole after surgery and that led to thinking about embracing surgery scars – highlighting them in a positive way. I spent the plane ride working on my idea and as soon as I landed, I called Kyle and practically demanded an interview so I could tell him all the reasons I was the best person for the job.’

‘Right.’ She shakes her head in disbelief at me. ‘You’re taking a job at a hospital and now you “kintsugi” be happier about it?’

Chapter Forty-Seven

FIVE WORDS: 7, 2, 4, 4, 3

George

‘Well, I have to get the job first, but yes, that’s the idea,’ I announce. I don’t get it. Instead of looking excited I finally worked out what I want, Ashleigh looks appalled.

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