Page 84 of Violent Hearts

However, it wasn't easy to get back in the game, despite my initial excitement to do so. I'd only been out for a few months, but for a lot of newspapers and journals, that was long enough to forget about me. In some aspects, it was almost as hard as if I was starting out again, a completely fresh start. I no longer have to work for money, but I have to pick up stories that may not excite me, but could be crucial for bringing my name back into the game.

Jared has always been as supportive as he can be the entire time.

But I wonder what he will think about this one. I just finished up a phone call that could change my life, an opportunity so big that I never even dreamed of it. It was a pure coincidence, really, but I'm sure the fact that my name was brought into play can also be linked to my activities during the past year at the side of Jared King, the business prodigy who dipped his toe in the murky water of politics, just to realize that it wasn't for him.

I was asked to join the press team of yet another promising political figure, a candidate who's running for a much higher office than what Jared strived for. It's actually the highest office.

I was offered a chance to write for a presidential campaign. Of course, this is gigantic news, great news, but it comes with its own hardships and conditions. Traveling, for example. Working in an environment that Jared has actively secluded himself from. I'd be busy as hell, leaving less time to be with him, at least for a while. It would put our young relationship to a test, and I don't know what he'll think about it or how he’ll react.

It doesn't help that we're celebrating our anniversary today. We never had something that we'd classify as "the talk,” but both Jared and I agreed that the day he came home to me, finally realizing that I was not out to get him, and I had come to a similar realization of my own, that that day would be our day. It has been exactly one year since then, and it feels like almost a farce that I received this offer now. It's been in the talks for a few days, and being who I am, I didn't share any of it with Jared until now. I received the actual offer today. All I had to do was to say yes.

If only it was that easy.

Jared is at the office all day, but he's made reservations for us at the same restaurant where we met for the very first time. It's a special day, so I took extra effort to look good for him, wearing a new purple Gucci dress, and letting my long hair fall down over my shoulders in elegant curls. He loves it when I wear my hair down, and I'm sure he'll appreciate the work I put into making my hair curl this way.

I'm nervously pressing my purse against my abdomen, as if it was a barrier for protection. My nerves calm down a little, when I see the look on his face as I walk through the door.

"You look stunning," he greets me, getting up from his seat and placing his hands on my hips as he pulls me in for a kiss that may be a little too sensual for a public place. It does wonders for my shaky emotional state. I instantly feel calm and protected, confident that he'll support me no matter what.

He's wearing a black suit with a silver tie, his hair gelled neatly to the side, displaying his edgy undercut that I've always found extremely attractive. The suit must be new. I can't remember ever seeing him wear that particular suit.

He's a true gentleman when we're out in public, pulling the chair out for me and making sure that I have a glass of champagne in hand as soon as I'm seated.

Meanwhile, I feel like I'm going to burst if I don't tell him. We clink glasses, and he can tell by the way mine is shaking that there's something on my mind.

"Tell me," he says, ominously smiling at me. "What's troubling you?"

I throw him a coy smile. "There's no place for secrets with you, is there?"

He shakes his head. "Not when it matters. Now tell me, Button. I can tell that something is up."

I take a deep breath - and another sip from my glass of champagne. The restaurant is busy, and the dining area is dipped in warm candlelight and unobtrusive background music. We're sitting at a table at the far end of the dining room, rather secluded from everyone else right in front of a big window that allows for people watching on the street.

"I got a job offer," I begin, catching his attentive eyes. "A pretty good one."

He smiles. "That's great! What kind of job?"

"Working for a presidential campaign," I continue. "I was asked to join the press team for Gregory Coldman."

Jared arches his eyebrows. "Let me rephrase that: that's beyond great, Button! How the hell did you pull that off?"

I give him a cautious smile. "It's... I know it's great. But it would mean that I'd be busy as hell, and I'd have to do a lot of traveling, especially if he makes it as far as becoming a candidate."

Jared nods.

"I understand that," he says. "But it's a great opportunity for you, far bigger than what we are."

"Nothing is bigger than we are," I correct him, feeling slightly hurt at how easily he's ready to part with me.

His face changes into a solemn smile. "Of course, you're right. Which is exactly why you need to do this. If that is what you want."

"It is," I say. "I mean, I know you didn't exactly feel comfortable in that area, but I think it could be really exciting. And I wouldn't be gone that much, at least not at first. And if it ends up becoming super huge, then-"

"Then we'll deal with it," he finishes my sentence. He leans forward, fixating his attention on me with his dark eyes while reaching for my hands. "I'm so fucking proud of you."

I blush at his praise. Him telling me, the man I love, that he's "fucking proud" of me is the most wonderful thing I could think of. I never doubted his respect for me, despite the way our dynamics change once we're playing, but the way he looks at me now, the way he understands, respects, and loves who I am... what else could I ever ask for?

"But there's one thing that worries me," he adds, knitting his eyebrows.

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