Page 28 of Loving London

Just a week ago, I summoned the courage to call Brad about a job at the paper, and now, I’m here. One week was all it took to pack up the last five years of my life and move across the country.

Saying good-bye to Paige was so hard. We both shed many tears, but I will still see her often. My dad owns the house that we lived in, so for now, Paige will continue to stay there. I don’t think he’s in any rush to sell it. Plus, when I decide to visit Michigan, I’ll have a place to stay.

I take a deep breath before pulling the tall glass door open and entering the building. Life goes on, as they say, and I am ready for this. I’m so ready not to hurt. I’m ready to do something I love and to feel like me again.

I missme. I want the awesome London back, not the heartbroken whiny pants. Seriously, that version of myself is annoying.

As I enter, I smile when I see the large globe in the main corridor. I’ve only seen it in pictures. I click open my Snapchat app and take a selfie with the globe behind me. As I wait for the elevator, I quickly send the photo to everyone I care about. I post it on my story and send it to Paige, Georgia, my mom and dad, and a few of my sorority sisters. I click next to Maggie’s name but unselect it just as quickly. I love Maggie, always will. But some friendships just aren’t meant to last forever. Loïc got Maggie in the breakup, as he should. Our friendship has been slowly fizzling out since Loïc’s return, and I’ve come to peace with it. It’s hard to stay close with someone when there’s so much we can’t talk about. It’s okay. I’m glad Loïc has her.

As the elevator ascends, I run my palms down my Calvin Klein pencil skirt. My last hurrah as roommates with Paige was a huge shopping spree where I bought all sorts of gorgeous professional clothing. I actually bought Paige this exact outfit as I ruined hers in a battle with marinara sauce months back.

I miss that girl.

I step out of the elevator and onto Brad’s floor, and I am immediately greeted by a secretary.

“Hello. How can I help you?”

Her bright red hair, Southern accent, and huge smile take me aback a bit. She seems to be about my age, and I immediately like her even though she isn’t at all what I expected.

For some reason, I was thinking the secretary would be an exact replica to the ones in theFifty Shades of Greymovie. I’ve obviously thought a little too much about what LA would be like.

“Hi. I’m here to see Mr. Abernathy.”

“Oh, you must be London!”

I nod.

“We are so excited to have ya here. Brad has told us all about you.” She beams before hitting a button on her phone. “Brad, Ms. Wright’s here.”

I hear Brad tell her to send me in, and I can’t help but wonder exactly what Brad had to tell about me. He hardly knows me.

“You can head on back. He’s through those doors right there.” She points to a tall set of wooden doors to the right of her desk. “I’m Kate, by the way. I’m new to California, too. I know this is totally forward and all, but I have a two-bedroom apartment and am looking for a roommate. Let me know if you need a place to stay,” she says cheerfully with a wide grin.

“Okay, I will. Thank you.” I smile back at her before heading toward Brad’s office.

I’m currently staying at a hotel. My dad is shopping around for a nice apartment for me, but I have to admit that the thought of moving in with Kate and financially doing this whole LA thing on my own is kind of exciting.

Before I can knock on Brad’s door, it swings open, and I’m met with the man I remember from New Year’s Eve. He looks like a young Brad Pitt with short hair, straight from the set ofFight Club, and he’s wearing a very expensive, sexy suit. I have no interest in anything but a professional relationship with this guy, but man, is he ever beautiful. I wouldn’t have a heartbeat if I couldn’t at least admit that much.

“London.”

His perfect smile disarms me for a second with little unwanted butterflies doing flips in my stomach.

“Hello, Brad.” I extend my hand out to his and shake firmly, ignoring the way in which his hand seems to linger in mine longer than it should.

“Come in.” He motions toward the interior of his office. “Take a seat.”

I sit in a dark brown leather chair that faces his large mahogany desk.

“It’s so good to see you again,” he says as he sits behind his desk.

“Thank you again for this opportunity, Brad. I’m so excited to work here.”

“Of course. So, you know that you’re going to be writing for theLA Nowsection, so you could be covering anything from local festivals to cheating celebrities to abnormal weather to shootings.” He chuckles. “You’ll get the full LA experience.”

“Okay.” I nod.

“So, how about I show you around? Let you see your office, and then we’ll head out to dinner to celebrate.”

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