Page 130 of What If I See You

I want to be there for him.

He has to be scared out of his mind.

“Oh, my God, thank you, Julie. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Of course. Again, I’m so sorry. Go. Be with your husband and we’ll touch base in the next few days. If you have questions about the job, you know how to get a hold of me.”

“Julie.” I squeeze her hand, my eyes glistening, and shake my head, not only in fear of what’s happening with Gage, but because I know what I’m about to tell her isn’t going to be what she wants to hear. But it’s the right call for me. I know that now. I feel it in bones.

“I’m so sorry. But I can’t take this job.”

She gives me a sympathetic smile. “I had a feeling you might say that.”

“You know I have always had the utmost respect for you, but my husband needs me. His family is his everything. And I know that’s all just hitting me right now and I’m a little shaken and emotional but I have to follow my gut and my heart and both are telling me Anaheim is where I need to be. It’s where I want to be.”

“After hearing you got married, I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She gives me a surprisingly big and comforting hug. “I’ve always respected your tenacity and your confidence in what you do. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.” She grasps my shoulders. “You’re going to make a future organization very lucky to have you when that day comes, Layken.”

Tears spill over my cheeks at her compliments. “Thank you, again, Julie. For everything. And good luck with everything here. It truly seems like a dream job.”

“It will be for me,” she says, escorting me out the door to meet Sam who, she explains, will take me to a waiting car. “But my dream doesn’t have to be your dream. Take care, Layken. Send me an update when you can, will you?”

“Of course,” I tell her as I wave. “Thank you!”

Julie waves as I follow Sam down the steps and out of the hospital into a waiting car. The minute I’m inside and headed for the airport, I pull my phone from my pocket and glance through all the notifications. Only one text from Griffin this morning but several in a row from Corrigan.

Corrigan

Hey. You available?

Corrigan

There’s a bit of a problem. Can you text me when you have a minute?

Corrigan

Call me when your interview is done.

Corrigan

Okay I’m not sure how long your interview is so I’m just going to write this out.

Corrigan

Griffin did NOT get on the plane to Portland because Gage was in a car accident with his girlfriend late this morning.

Corrigan

The girl is okay I think. Scrapes and bruises. But Gage was life-flighted to Memorial Hospital in L.A.

Corrigan

I’ll try to find out more while you’re busy so call me when you get this! Bodhi said he’ll pay for your flight back if needed so Griffin doesn’t have to worry about it. Love you girl.

Shit!

I can’t believe this is all happening.

Poor Griffin.

---