Page 82 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

For the first time, I’m not sure that I do.

The only reason I even went into marketing was my father. He had a position he needed to fill, so I filled it.

I only applied for this job because it’s what I’ve been doing for the last four years. It’s what I know. And I’m damn good at it.

What did Marie Kondo say? If it doesn’t bring you joy, trash it, or some shit like that.

The logical part of my brain says to tell her yes right away. It’s a damn good opportunity, and I worked my ass off for it.

The part that is feeling truly free for the first time in my life is saying otherwise.

I’m just not sure which part to listen to.

Because Iamgood at what I do. It doesn’t bring me joy, but jobs aren’t there for joy. They’re there to pay the bills. To get you through life. To make it possible for you to do the things that bring you joy. I know I’d be a complete fool to turn this job down.

“Now,” she says, “I don’t want you to make any rash decisions today. I want you to take a week to think it over, to make sure you’re ready for this and it’s something you’d like to take on. If you do, fantastic. I would be honored to have you as project manager. And if you don’t, I understand. It was a tough choice choosing you, but I do have a very gifted runner-up.”

I want to ask if it’s Holland.

Oh fuck.

Holland.

I got the job and Holland didn’t.

But worse than that, I know I’m going to say yes…and I know I’m going to lose her because of it.

I’ve already broken my rule of sleeping with a coworker. There’s no way I could be Holland’s boss and still be sleeping with her.

Fuck, the fact that my first instinct was that Holland and I were caught when Jessa called me in here is a sure sign that we can’t keep this up any longer.

We’re playing with fire and practically begging it to burn us.

We have to end this.

Weshouldhave already ended this.

Fuck. We shouldn’t have even started it.

“Thank you,” I tell Jessa. “I appreciate the opportunity. It seems I have a lot to think about.”

“Yes, you do.” She smiles. “I’m not going to lie, Sutton, I do hope you will say yes and continue bringing some of that magic you’ve been producing since you started here into this position.” She lifts her hands in the air. “But that’s all I’ll say about that. I’m not here to coerce you into the job. I only want you to take it if you’re perfectly certain it’s for you, if you’re sure you’re able to handle all the responsibilities and new office dynamics that will come with it. Just thought I’d throw in my personal opinion.”

“Thank you,” I say again.

“Of course. One week,” she warns. “If I don’t hear anything from you, I’ll move on.”

I nod. “I understand.”

One week.

One week.

One fucking week.

It’s all that’s going through my head right now because it’s all I have left with Holland.

The urge to be with her hits me hard as I walk out of the office, and before I can think or take a moment to regret my decision, I pull my phone from my pocket.

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