Page 4 of The Light We Lost

I’d been wary when she suggested we take Beckett to a restaurant. It was an upscale place and more than the agency typically spent on clients. Changes were happening within the company, and I’d been afraid to step out of line. But she’d insisted, and at the end of the day, I was an intern. It wasn’t my place to question her. It wasn’t until after a receipt with so many numbers I’d thought I was hallucinating that she’d revealed it was the restaurant Beckett’s grandparents had gotten engaged in many years ago.

She’d hoped he’d see it as a sign, and clearly it had worked: Beckett had verbally committed to sign with Victory Lap Agency. I had no idea how she’d dug up that information, but if I’d learned anything as her intern, it was to never doubt her.

Victory Lap Agency was one of the top sports agencies on the East Coast, specializing mainly in representing professional baseball players. It was homegrown in the concrete jungle itself—New York City—and for the past twelve weeks, I’d been lucky enough to roam its halls.

After graduating from Ohio University this past May, I’d been honored to receive an internship. One I almost declined. I was up to my ears in student loan debt and behind in life as it was—I didn’t have time for risks. I needed a sure job. But Evelyn assured me it would lead to a job offer.

“Think of it like a rite of passage,” she’d said, her voice sweet like honey. “Every single agent here started with an internship. Besides, we have two positions open, and we’re only taking on two interns this summer. There’s no way on earth you won’t land this job.”

After today, I’d step out of my shoes as her intern and into my role as an agent.

Settling into my chair, I continued writing down Asher’s every word. He was the head agent of the firm, and beyond getting him coffee, I hadn’t had the chance to work with him. I was ready to change that, ready to give this company my best.

“Okay, I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the news.” Asher sat on the edge of the conference table, unbuttoning his suit jacket. “But in case you haven’t, the board of directors has hired a new CEO. I haven’t met her yet, but I’ve heard she’s a fantastic fit and plans to be more hands-on with the agency. However, I’m sure we can anticipate changes coming our way. She’ll be transitioning in within the month, so let’s do our best to make sure our clients don’t get lost in that.”

Low murmurings filled the room, the other agents expressing their nerves with the upcoming changes. I might’ve been nervous had I worked here for years, but I hadn’t been here long enough to get too comfortable. If anything, I was glad to be starting with a new boss.

I was in the middle of deciding how I might make the best first impression when Asher continued, “That being said, there are some budget cuts coming our way. One of them being we’ll only be taking one of our interns on as an agent this fall.”

I froze, staring at the words I’d written down.

“Did you hear that?” a grating voice taunted from beside me. “I hope you can apply for social security because you’re out of a job, grandma.”

I ground my teeth, resisting the urge to stomp on Eli’s foot. “I’m sorry.” I cleared my throat, lifting my hand from where I sat at the end of the conference table. “Could you repeat that? I think I misheard you.”

Asher gave me a faint smile, but my stomach dropped all the same when he clarified, “We’re only hiring one agent this year.”

Super. My hearing works great.

“Do you know which intern will be getting the agent position?” Eli asked.

I teetered on the edge of my chair as Asher glanced between the two of us, likely deciding if it was a good idea to crush one of our dreams with an audience. “We’ve given a recommendation to the new CEO, but she’d like to make anunbiased decision. She’ll be opening the position up for interviews, likely within a month. The two of you will interview then.”

A month?What does that mean? My internship ends today.

Before I could ask more, Asher moved on to discuss potential athletes the agency could recruit. I glanced at Evelyn, hoping to find some sort of reassurance. But the longer she wouldn’t meet my eye, the more I realized I wouldn’t get any.

I smoothed a hand down my pantsuit, telling myself I hadn’t wasted twelve weeks of my life. Yes, I’d memorized the agents’ coffee orders, and I’d made enough copies that if I stacked them together, they’d rival the Statue of Liberty. But I’d also learned how to boost an athlete’s image without being over-the-top and how to nudge a reluctant client toward a sponsorship.

Just when I was on the verge of bursting out of my skin, the meeting was called to a close. Shifting out of my chair, I shook the hands of the other agents as they wished me luck before I hurried out of the office to find Evelyn.

“Maybe they’ll let me hire you as my assistant.” Eli strode beside me as we walked down the hall, his hands in his pockets. “Everyone agrees you make the best coffee. Something about that homely essence you bring to it.”

I held my chin high. He wasn’t worth shoving out the seventh-story window, nor wedging my heel in his boring blue eyes. I’d gone this long not engaging with his taunts—most of which stemmed from me being five years older than him and thereforeso old—I wasn’t going to give in now.

I made my way to Evelyn’s office, knocking on the door before opening it. She gave me a half smile from where she sat at her desk, the look in her eyes telling me she wasn’t surprised I’d sought her out immediately. She knew how important this was to me.

“I’m sorry.” She leaned back in her chair, the light seeping through the window leaving a warm hue on her bronze skin. “I found out right before the meeting.”

I nodded. I wasn’t upset with Evelyn. I pulled out a chair and fiddled with a button on my blouse, trying to sort my thoughts. “Do you know whichintern the agents recommended for the position?” I asked, seeking any sort of confirmation I had a future here.

She gave me a tight-lipped smile. “The CEO will make the final decision.”

Disappointment bloomed deep within me, but I did my best to brush it off. “Alright.” I straightened my spine. “So, what does this mean? Will I continue my internship here for the month?”

She brushed a dark curl over her shoulder, a view of the city’s towering buildings looming behind her. “Your internship ends today as originally planned. However, I already spoke with Asher and got it approved for you to stay on and assist me for the time being. It won’t be for more than a few hours a week though.”

My chest tightened, panic outweighing gratitude. What was I going to do? As an intern, my wage was barely livable—that was with me working over forty-hour weeks and having a second job. I was relying on landing this position. I didn’t have another plan.

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