Page 169 of If Ever

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I'm on the phone with Anna talking about my job news when Tom walks in with a bottle of champagne and a euphoric grin. "Hey, Anna. Something’s up here and I've gotta go."

"I got the movie!" He raises the bottle in the air.

"The one you thought you bombed?" I set my phone on the counter.

"Go figure, right?"

"That's amazing!" I launch myself into his arms and he swings me and the bottle of bubbly in a circle. "I'm so proud of you! Tell me about it." I take the bottle from him as he slips off his coat.

"Well, there's more. I also landed a new musical."

"What!"

"Oh God, it's such a relief, you have no idea." He collapses on the couch. "I can take a break from auditioning. I do have to decide which one to take, but for the moment I just want to wallow in the fact that I know where my next paycheck is coming from, and I'll have some time off when I finish Crossing Lines."

I grab a couple of glasses from the kitchen and join him. "How long?" I ask, peeling the foil off the champagne and handing him the bottle to open.

"A couple weeks. Long enough to take you on a proper holiday, like maybe England to meet my family. That is if you don't mind visiting in the dreary winter." He removes the cork to a loud celebratory pop.

“Um, there’s a slight problem.” Why do things never go my way? I get good news one minute and then something sours it the next.

“Your passport, I know.” He pours bubbly into each glass and hands me one. “Let’s get working on that ASAP.”

“Actually, that’s not the problem.” I hold my glass and watch the bubbles roll up the side.

“Oh?”

“I have news too.” I nibble the side of my lip. “I got a job with Paige’s husband’s literary agency. I’m going to work in the foreign rights department.”

“Oh, Chelsea, congratulations!” He sets down his glass and pulls me into his arms. “Everything is coming together perfectly. When do you start?”

“Soon. They want me to train with someone who will be taking maternity leave.” I’m so excited to be starting a job at something I think I’ll really enjoy.

“Well, we’ll figure it out. I’ve only got another couple days left of Crossing Lines. We’ll eke out some time between you starting your job and me leaving for mine. Whichever one I decide on.”

I tense up. "You're leaving?"

"Of course. I thought you knew that."

"I assumed you'd be here in New York. Where would you go?"

"I'm still waiting on the details from Sean, but I think the movie shoots in Vancouver, and the musical is happening in Atlanta."

I shake my head. Vancouver? Atlanta? We live in New York. "I don't understand. Why isn't the musical being done here in the city?"

"Hopefully it will be, but first it will be out of town. We'll develop the show for four weeks and then do previews, open, and play for another month or so."

"So, I'll be here alone?" I look around the apartment as if it's suddenly a bad place.

"You can come with me. I don't know how long either job is yet, I'd guess at least two months or more. I'll know more by tonight, or certainly tomorrow. I've got to decide in the next day or so."

“But I’ll have my own job here.”

“True. It’s almost too bad you got it right now.”

“But I did get it.”

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