Page 63 of That First Flight

Holy. Shit.

Mackenzie begins violently jumping up and down on the bed in excitement before she eventually falls on top of it, kicking her legs in the air as she squeals quietly in excitement despite the fact that she has no clue what that even means.

“Yes.” The woman on the other end of the line says. “Frank loved meeting you and the work you showcased for us. Oh, I’m Mollie by the way—his wife.” She chuckles. I probably should have said that sooner. Anyway, it was a no-brainer to give you the sous-chef position.”

“Wow,” I breathe out. “Yes. Oh my god, yes. I would be honored to accept the position, Mollie.”

“Great! We’ll be in touch with you later this week to get more details from you, as well as send you over our more detailed menu so you can familiarize yourself with it. We’d like you to start around the first weekend of March, give or take. Does that work for you?”

“Whatever you need.”

“Excellent. Congratulations, Macey.” She hangs up before I can process the news fully.

I drop the phone, Mackenzie sits there waiting for me to speak.

“You got the job?”

“I did it.” I pause, letting it soak in completely. “I did it. I DID IT!”

She leaps into my arms, wrapping her long legs around my middle and squeezing me the tightest she’s ever hugged me. “I’m so happy for you. You finally made it happen.”

I squeeze her back just as hard.

This all started because I wanted to show her anything is possible, and that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Her being here and able to witness it first-hand warms my heart.

I’m overwhelmed with every emotion under the sun.

“You have to go tell Ollie,” she says, releasing me.

I kiss her on the forehead and spring out of the room. I round the corner quickly and find Oliver standing in the kitchen before my eyes travel to a small suitcase and his camera bag sitting next to the couch.

I won’t lie when I say disappointment engulfs me the same way it did when the lady on the phone saidI regret to inform you.

I’ve learned that I don’t want to spend time away from him. Especially not right now.

But I have no right to feel that way, this is his job. He doesn’t have to tell me where he’s going or what he’s doing. I’m just his roommate.

“Hey,” I say, announcing my presence in the room.

Oliver lifts his head, and a smile hits his lips. “Hey, dragonfly.” His eyes never leave mine as he watches me bounce my head from him to the suitcase in the living room. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you. I have to leave for two nights to attend a blogger conference.”

“A conference,” I repeat, trying to process what he just said.

Maybe it’s because my mind is still reeling over the fact that I just got my dream job. Or maybe it’s because he’s standing here in his signature look, this time pairing his dark washed jeans with a long-sleeve Henley. He’s rolled the sleeves just enough to expose his corded forearms, making my mouth water at the sight.

“I have to speak at it,” he interrupts my thoughts. “It’s like a training for bloggers everywhere who are getting started or looking to grow their accounts. People who want to really take off and see success with it. Since my blog has done so well, I was asked to speak and share some tips with the group. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime in this industry.”

I inhale and exhale once. “That’s really awesome.”

“Are you alright?” he reluctantly asks.

I can’t help but smile, wildly as he stands across the room from me. “I just got a very interesting phone call.”

I hold up my phone like I’m the host of a game show at the same time he rounds the island and rushes towards me.

“Yeah?”

“I didn’t get the job I interviewed for.”

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