Page 99 of Someone Like You

‘Mine,’ I reply, catching sight of the notification on the home screen before it disappears. ‘It’s an email from Claire,’ I say, my stomach clenching in excitement – or is it dread? I wipe my hands down the front of my apron and navigate to the email. Raff abandons his post and reads over my shoulder.

Dear Gaby,

I’m hoping you’ve done as you were told and haven’t checked work emails since you set your OOO message, which is why I’m emailing your personal account. I am thrilled to say that you are our new marketing director, and will start in the role when you return to work early Jan. All the details in your work inbox, including your new salary. Just wanted to give you the news before I signed off for the year.

Huge congrats! I’m really proud of you and I know you’ll do brilliantly in the role.

Happy Christmas,

Claire

‘I got it,’ I say, my voice barely audible. As the news starts to sink in, elation rockets through my body.

‘I knew you would!’ Raff exclaims, and I turn to him.

‘I’m going to be the new marketing director.’

‘Yes!’

With my free hand, I grasp his forearm and start jumping up and down. ‘I got it. I got it, Raff!’ I say through gleeful laughter. Raff grins at me and I stop bouncing. ‘What was it you said? About not knowing how much you want something until it’s presented to you…’

‘Something like that.’

‘I mean, yeah, I wanted it but maybe I didn’t let myself want it too much, you know – in case I didn’t get it, and now that I have…’ I look away and exhale slowly, letting the realisation wash over me.

‘Gabs.’ I meet Raff’s smiling eyes. ‘Seriously, I am so happy for you – and so proud. Claire’s right: you’ll absolutely smash it.’

He draws me into a hug, and I sink into the embrace and rest my cheek against his chest, listening to his heartbeat through his sweater and breathing in the scent of his Christmassy cologne.

In the confines of his arms, my head and heart are at war, my head telling me this is just the congratulatory hug of a best friend and my heart longing for more.

So. Much. More.

He draws back slightly, and I look up at his handsome face. How have I never noticed until recently how his crooked smile and the angle of his cheekbones give him a sort-of handsome-elf look – like a red-headed Legolas?

He smiles at me proudly, then leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek, igniting tingles that cover my entire body, giving megoosebumps. Then he releases me and returns to his side of the kitchen counter, leaving a vacuum of want in his wake.

‘What’s all the noise about?’ My sister wanders into the kitchen and heads straight to the coffee pot. I wait for her to pour a mug and doctor it with creamer, and when I know I have her full attention, I answer.

‘I went for a promotion at work – actually, it’s Raff old role – and I got it.’ I grin at her excitedly, not entirely sure how she’ll react. Issy’s in a miserable place right now, so it’s not like I expect her to be elated for me.

She stares at me for a second, then sets down her coffee, her eyes welling with tears.Uh oh. Then she crosses the kitchen and hugs me. ‘I am so happy for you, sis,’ she says.

I return the hug, which conveys so much more than sisterly pride. This is such a shitty time for her and I wish there was more I could do to ease her pain. She sniffles, then steps back, regarding me thoughtfully. ‘You always were the smart one,’ she says with a devilish smile.

‘Me? What about you, Ms 4.0 GPA?’

She lifts a shoulder in a half-hug. ‘Okay, so we’re both the smart one.’

‘And the pretty one,’ I add.

‘Undeniably.’

We grin at each other, then she swipes at the tears on her cheeks. ‘Okay, no more crying!’ she declares, going back for her coffee and taking a sip.

‘So, you guys are making good progress,’ she says, surveying the counter where a rugelach is cooling, fruit mince pies (Raff’s favourite) are piled up on a platter, and six dozen cookies are in various stages of being decorated.

‘Do you want one?’ I ask, indicating the cookies.

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