Page 64 of When You Had Me Adapting

“They’re putting a team together to do a piece on the Great Barrier Reef. We would leave at the beginning of September and would be gone for six months, maybe longer. It seems like a lot of the Bix crew has already signed up to go. I told him I would talk to you and convince you to come.”

I run my hand over the back of my head. Six months in Australia sounds awesome, but I’m not sure it’s what I want. My friends know I’ve been wavering on returning to my job, but no one at work has any idea.

“Can I think it over?”

“Oh, um, yeah. Ryan needs to know by the end of July. I know it’s no Bix, but I really hope you do it. It would be great to have everyone back together and we could really use another photographer as talented as you.”

“Definitely. We’ll talk soon.”

We hang up and I walk back out of my room to finish making my breakfast.

“What was that about?” Tanner asks.

“It was Eli calling. A job came up in Australia and she wants me on the team.”

“You gonna take it?”

“I’m not sure. Don’t get me wrong it sounds awesome, but I’d be gone for six months. Maybe more.”

He nods and sips his coffee. “Have you applied for the job here?”

“No, but it’s on my list of things to do this week. If it’s even still available.”

“When does Eli need an answer?”

“End of July.”

CHAPTER 30: TOUCAN PLAY THAT GAME

LACEY

The Tortured Therapists Department

Gray: Lacey, how do you keep getting Margaret to agree to let you go on vacation?

Lacey: Because I’m the favorite!

Chloe: We all know Gray is the favorite.

Lacey: Yeah, because she works more than all of us combined.

Gray: Very funny.

Lacey: It’s amazing what she will say yes to when you ask (and have the coverage).

Gray: Y’all try not to have too much fun without me.

Lacey: We make no promises

Chloe: Speaking of coverage… Poppy you’re still starting on Monday right?

Poppy: Yep! I can’t wait!

Logan turns onto a gravel road. The truck fills with the sounds of rubber on loose rocks and I place my e-reader back in my bag. Chris has been incredibly quiet the entire ride up so I spent the time reading. The past week and half, things have been off between us. He didn’t seem interested in talking about it, so we didn’t.

Instead, we swept the whole trivia night under the rug like it never happened. I told myself that my lack of excitement when he agreed to come with us to the cabin was due to shock, but after this short road trip, I’m starting to think part of me doesn’t want him here. I hope he cheers up once we get there, or this is going to be a very long weekend.

The road winds back and forth for a few miles before the homes start to come into view. Every house is large and beautiful. Between houses, views of the lake and the setting sun peek through the trees.

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