Page 57 of The Probability of Us

“I got a job offer,” is what he says instead, and I blink for a moment before registering the words. It’s an adjustment from what I thought I was going to hear, but it’s still good news.

“Oh my god,” I squeal. “Warren, that’s incredible.”

I throw my arms around his neck and hold on tight, but he doesn’t move to hug me back. My heart drops. He’s been nervous, he didn’t want to talk about work, and he’s not hugging me back. My face drops—no. I never asked where the jobs he was applying for were. I knew most of them, but there were some he didn’t talk about, saying it was a long shot that he’d be selected for those positions, so they weren’t worth mentioning. I just assumed he was only looking in the area.

“I’m moving to Washington D.C.,” he finally says. “I start in the new year.”

Apparently, I assumed wrong.

“You accepted already?” I ask, pulling back. My head is spinning; what’s happening here?

“The offer was too good to refuse,” he says. “They called today.”

“Warren.” I shake my head, but a smile grows on my face. “That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

“Really?” His hesitance is so charming, but some of that light is coming back.

This could work. I’ve heard Washington D.C. is beautiful, I’m sure I’ll love it there too. It shouldn’t be too hard to find another actuarial job there—there’s a lot of good companies that operate there.

“Of course.” I throw my arms back around him and this time his slowly wrap around me. “I knew it wouldn’t be long until someone realized how amazing my man was and snatched him up.”

“How did I get so lucky?” he mumbles before kissing my cheek. “I love you.”

“And I love you.” I pull back and kiss him. All of my unease disappears when he deepens the kiss.

I sigh against his lips. In a few months we might be kissing in a whole new state. I wonder what life will be like for us there.

His fingers move up to stroke my cheek and the love I see when he looks at me is overwhelming. “Don’t worry, we’ll make long-distance work.”

Wait,what?

I stop breathing, ears ringing. Long-distance?

I stare blankly at him, not understanding at first but then I replay the conversation in my head.“I’m moving,”he said. Not us. Not do I want to come too. Just him.

Oh. My. God.

He’s not inviting me to go with him. He’s just leaving.

I’ve been quiet for too long—his face is starting to scrunch up with worry. I swallow to help my dry throat, but my voice is still hoarse when I answer, “Of course, we’ll make it work.”

He’s leaving. He’s leaving. He’s leaving.

“I love you so much, Analise.”

Then why are you leaving? Why aren’t you asking me to come with you?

My voice is almost robotic when I respond, “I love you, too.”

He’s leaving.

Is he leaving me?

Twenty-Two

AUGUST CURRENT DAY (TUESDAY)

The presentation has to be perfect. There can’t be a single word out of line, a single number out of order. There are peoples’ jobs at stake. This is mylegacyat stake.

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