Page 112 of Fake It 'til You Make It

I negotiated terms in a way that my dad and Ted would have been proud of – a way that took even me by surprise. So, I have the job of my dreams, the sun is shining, and WBO are paying the remainder of the rent on my apartment in Blake House.

I might not have a pot of wedding savings back but I’ll have a pot I think I’ll designate for outdoor adventures, for the time being.

And as I lower my gaze, I’m surprised to see the one person inparticular I have to thank for pushing me to follow my dreams. For truly believing in me and making me want to believe in myself. Leaning back against a swish black car, his arms folded across what looks like a dorky slogan T-shirt, his sneakers poking out from under his jeans.

His lips turn up in that smile I’m starting to think is reserved especially for me. ‘Get over here, Numbers Girl.’

I chuckle but don’t close the distance between us because I want to take him in – this, us, all of it.

‘What are you doing here?’ I call across the space.

But my words are absorbed by suited people crossing the path between us.

‘What did you say?’ Ted asks.

I didn’t think this through.

So, instead, I ditch my suitcase and run (in high heels!) toward the man I am fiercely in love with. Dodging bodies, I throw myself at Ted. In return, he scoops me up in his arms, laughing when I take his cheeks between my palms and tell him, ‘You’re still as sure of yourself as ever I see, Tech Guy.’

‘Well, you did tell me you love me, so I assume that means newfound arrogance and all?’

I kiss my answer, forgetting everything else and getting lost in the feel of his lips on mine. Lips I get to kiss any time I want.

When Ted lowers me to the ground, I suddenly remember my luggage, but when I turn around, a man in a black suit, whom I can only assume is Ted’s driver, already has my case and he’s setting it in the trunk of the car we’re standing against.

‘You have a driver?’ I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Ted shrugs, as if it’s completely normal, and tells the man, ‘Could you take it to my place, Jack? I’ll make my own way from here.’

‘Sure thing, Ted.’ Jack turns to me. ‘It’s nice to meet you, Abbey.’

‘Ah, yeah, and you, Jack. And, erm, thank you.’

‘Don’t look at me like that,’ Ted says when we’re alone again. ‘It’s not a pretentious as it seems. It’s a good drive from my office and I had some loose ends to tie off. You look beautiful, by the way.’

‘Thank you.’ He slips his hand around mine effortlessly, like it’s supposed to be there, as if there’s no question. It’s the tiniest move and it sends my insides into a spin. ‘Do you want to know how my interview went?’

He smirks. ‘I already know.’

‘Matt told you he made me a job offer?’

Ted shakes his head. ‘He doesn’t need to. Anyone in their right mind would have offered you a job, Abbey. But I would like you to tell me the details, while we get on with the rest of my plan for the next few days.’

He starts to walk along the street, my hand still in his, and I follow next to him.

‘Your plan?’

‘Mmmhmm. Get you riding that tram like we talked about, take you to see the Golden Gate at sunset, taste clam chowder in a bread bowl by the sea.’

‘Don’t you have to work?’ I ask.

‘Probably. But I’m reevaluating how often I take breaks for what’s important to me, and making you fall in love with San Francisco is currently top of that list.’

His words make me swoon. I mean, literally. If he wasn’t holding me up, I’d probably wobble on my legs. Yet…

‘Fall in love with San Francisco, or you?’ I tease, leaning into his arm and receiving a kiss on the head in return. One that makes my heart leap.

‘You’ve moved across the country for someone before and as much as I’d love for you to take a job here in San Francisco, I know you have options, and I won’t ask you to rush into moving here for me.’ When I shift my position to glance up to him, kind of amazed by him and the way he knows me, I find he’s already looking at me. ‘So, I’m going to sell you on San Francisco, instead.’

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