Page 116 of Until I Have You

Theo runs his fingers along my cheekbone to my temple, through my hair.

Fireworks blast off in my brain.

“So, you could stay with me.And Bonnie.”

“Is that what you want?”

Theo leans toward me.“Is that even a question?”

He kisses me, a touch full of promise.

“We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves,” I say, trying to tether myself to the ground.To disappointment.“I might not get it.”

“You will,” he says.His grip tightens on me.“You’re going to get it.I know you will.”

§

The interview is not even an interview.It’s an offer.I meet with the head researcher, a female equivalent of Albert Einstein with springy hair and expressive hand gestures.

“You come highly recommended by Moriah, and the cetacean wing still had your documents from your application.And your expertise in marine birds is just what we need on the team since we’re having to restructure.”She waves her hands around.

The position is full-time, all the benefits.More than I could have dreamed.

When all is said and done, I walk out the door with an employee handbook and a promise of an email from HR.

First thing I do is text Theo,Guess who is the newest member of the avian research team at NYCMLC?

He responds immediately.Always does.

Celebratory dinner tonight.I’ll arrange a playdate for Bonnie.Sending over a new dress for you now.

I’m already flustered enough over the job, but now we have a date tonight, and he’s sending me a dress?I feel like I’m walking on air.

It’s happening.I’m going to be able to stay in New York.I’ll have my dream job, in my dream city, with my dream person.

Moriah meets me on my way out of the aquarium, all abuzz and bouncing with excitement.“Welcome to the team!”

“I don’t know how to thank you, Moriah, seriously!”

She waves her hand toward me as we walk past a tank of catfish swimming around, their whiskers swishing in the water.“Don’t thank me.Thank Professor Ridley.”

I almost stop in my tracks.“Huh?”

“Or I should sayex-Professor Ridley,” she says with a grimace.

I hold tighter to my employee handbook.“What does he have to do with this?”

Moriah frowns at me.“You haven’t heard?He’s under investigation from the university.”

“Under investigation?”

“Misconduct reports, if you catch my drift.With female students,” Moriah explains.“I don’t know the details, but I guess someone informed the school of his behavior, and they started reaching out to former students and so many of them had stories.”

“Huh…” I hadn’t heard a thing about it.Probably because I’ve been stuck in my own fantasy world with Theo.

I wish I had the energy to be excited.But I can’t muster it.

On one hand, I can’t believe I never considered there were other women in my shoes with Professor Ridley.Ex-professor, I suppose.I was so deep in my own embarrassment and shame I just…

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