Page 84 of Tempt Me

Still, itwaswortha try. Shecouldn’tpin allher hopeson AMNH.

HerfinaldayatthemuseumarrivedwithacrispNewYorkmorning.Itwasjustatasteofthe autumntocome,andshefoundherselfsmilingtoherself.She’dalwayslovedthecooler weather. Findingheronlywinter coatinhercloset,sheslidit onandwalkedintothekitchentograba cupof coffee.

“Lastday, Borello?”Jen asked,biting intoa sliceof toast.

“Yeah,”shesmiled.“Itis.Whathaveyou gotplanned for today?”

Jen waved her handcasuallythrough theair.“A little of this,a littleofthat.”

Shelaughed. “Right.So nothing atall.”

Herroommateshruggedandsaunteredoffinthedirectionofherbedroom.“Ineedalittletime torecuperatebeforeclassesstartagain.”

Takinghertravel mugfromthecupboard,Gigifilleditupandgrabbedoneofthe muffinsJenhad boughthomethedaybefore. “I’llsee you tonight,”shecalled. Jendidn’treply.

Shearrived atthemuseumatthesametimeasAlex. Hesmiled andwaved,his bubblypersonality strangelyinfectious.Bumpingherontheshoulderashesidledupbesideher,heasked,“Areyou readyfor theannouncementtoday?”

“I am. Whattimearetheydoing itagain?”

“Atthemorning tea ataround ten. Doyouthinkyouhaveachance?”

Sheshookherhead. “Notatall.You’veseen thecompetition. One of the others willgetit—Inga, maybe. Or perhaps Davewill.”

Henodded in agreement.“I thinkyou’reright.”

*

Gigifinishedupwhatshe wasdoingafew minutesearliertogototherestroombefore the morning tea began. Shepicked up her bag en route, opening theflap and pulling outher phone. Themail icon onthebottomhadaredcircleinthecorner.Shetapped intotheemailandstoppedwalkingwhen shereadthesubjectline.Quicklyhereyesscannedtherestoftheemailbeforesheturnedher phoneoff and slid it backintoherbag.

Shemadeitintothestaff lunchroomonthelowerleveljustasthedirectorofthe museumwasmakinghiswaytothefrontoftheroom.ShesawAlexoveronthe leftstandingbeside Lisa.Hewavedher over withafriendlysmile.Gigiapologizedasshewalkedinfront ofpeopletoget tothepair.

“Good luck,” Alexsaid excitedly.

“Sametoyou.”

“Threemonthsago,Istoodinfrontofallofyouwelcomingyoutothemuseum,”thedirector said.“AndtodayI’msaying goodbyetoallofyou,exceptforone.Oneofyouistheluckywinnerof theinternship.Youaretheonepersonwhohasshownpromise,whohasprovedthatyou’reoneof usandwhohasimpressed allofuswithyourworkethicanddedication.”Afewnervousmurmurs broke outaroundtheplace.“I knowyou’reanxioustoknowwhothatluckysomeoneis.Sowithout further ado,I’d liketoannounce that thewinnerof thejobafter graduation hereatthe museumis…”

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