Page 59 of One More Weekend

I laughed, the compliment both sweet and funny. “Sure, why not?”

“Maybe I’ll end up with a job for you.” Pursing her lips, Tommy took a cheeky sip and eyed me.

“What do you mean?” My forehead wrinkled as I leaned in, curious what that brain might be stirring up.

Looking over her shoulder, Tommy decided whether or not to spill her secrets. “Well, I’ve just been feeling restricted. And I’m wondering if it may be time to strike out on my own.”

Eye wide, I scoffed. “Really? You without oversight sounds dangerous.”

“Maybe. But I just can’t stand the way they treat the clients, even Ari hates that shit.” Tommy shrugged and leaned back into the stool as she looked up at the wisteria growing over the pergola.

Tommy had been the perfect boss, one of the only agents I’d really loved working for. When I thought about my future, I imagined being like her. She was strong, powerful, and kind. Her clients always came first.

Polishing off my own drink, I shrugged. “Well, if you ever do decide to take the leap, I’d move back here in a heartbeat to work for you.”

“Really?” Tommy smiled, her mind already churning. “You mean that?”

I nodded. “Yeah of course. I’d kill to work for just you.”

Taking note of the information, Tommy moved on to help me strategize my next move.

I tried to stop myself from getting too comfortable with the idea that Tommy would somehow swoop in to save me. More than likely, she’d just had a shit day at work and needed to blow off some steam – something I’d never seen while I’d worked there since we were in the office all day.

No, I was stuck like this for now. I’d have to find a way back to New York on my own. And I’d just have to hope that Sy would be waiting for me.

39

JENNA

Our last weekflew by as I squeezed in packing, job hunting, and as many hours with my best friend as I could manage. Sy was in and out too, juggling work, apartment showings, and spending time with me.

But tonight was our last hooray, our last karaoke before my flight in the morning. Manhattanhenge had been our last city date and tonight would cap off the best summer I’d ever had in this magical city.

I finished heating up leftovers, popping up the nearly empty fridge. We’d spent the last couple of weeks trying to get rid of as much as we could from the kitchen.

I smoothed down the flyaways on the top of my head, my hair falling down my shoulders in loose curls while Sy got ready in the other room. I’d thrown on a simple pleated skirt and tucked a silky tank top in for our last night out.

It was too hot to wear anything else and I knew all the singing would make my whole body sweat.

A part of me wanted Sy to see me, to grab me and take me one last time. Even if I knew it would be bad for both of us in the long run.

“I’m gonna start eating.” I hollered into the next room as I placed the stack of papers I’d held in my room on the coffee table. By the time I finished my food, Sy was stumbling out of her room.

My throat tightened when I saw her, her blonder locks slicked back and her shoulders broad in her fitted button-down.

Wow. I knew it was best to keep that one to myself.

Grabbing her bowl from the counter, Sy sat down next to me. It only took her one bite to notice the papers on the table, her forehead wrinkling with confusion as she set her food down.

“What's this?” She grabbed the papers and started flipping through them, her head tilting as she scanned the pages.

Clearing my throat, I nodded. “I spoke with management. I got your name added and I asked them to move to a month-to-month. So you have some time to figure out what’s next for you.”

“But I can’t cover the rent alone…” Sy started.

“I know, which is why I’m going to keep paying my share so long as I’m living with my parents.” I reached across the couch and grabbed her wrist. “You made this summer so special for me and it meant putting off your own apartment search. It was the least I could do.”

Shaking her head, Sy’s head dropped into her hands and the papers. “Jen…”

---