Page 43 of In the Long Run
I want it to be real.
17
GEN
Talk about unexpected.
I blink at my inbox, wondering if I’m still asleep.This is the sort of thing I should be dreaming about, but my dreams have been all wrong for weeks.Wrong hopes, wrong fantasies, wrong guy.
What are your thoughts on kissing?
The look on Knox’s face when I’d asked him to kiss me – because let’s face it, that’s what I was doing – plays on repeat in my mind.Ugh.I’m the worst.Under the dictionary definition of the word ‘desperate’ is my picture.And I guarantee my eyes are closed, too, because apparently that’s the energy I bring to the universe.
My phone chimes on the coffee table and I lean forward to look at the screen even though I’m confident I know who it is.
Brand.Again.I haven’t replied to any of his messages or answered his calls for weeks, but he still keeps trying.It’s exhausting.I flip my phone over and curl back into the soft cushions of the couch.
‘Hey.’Caleb wanders out of his room in his PJs and a hoodie from one of his favourite bands.He flops down next to me and rests his head on my shoulder.
‘No Lawson?’
‘Nah, he had an early shift.’Caleb steals my coffee and swallows a few mouthfuls.I’d complain but I don’t care.He’s also beenbuying extra groceries and doing the cooking ever since I started my own business.He says it’s to try out different recipes and figure out what kind of culinary establishment he’d like to work at next, but the man’s a dessert chef to his core.Not a lot of stir-fries or risottos or ‘meat is the hero of this meal’ dishes are going to make it onto the menus of any of the places he’s going to want to work at.
‘What’s this?’He points towards my laptop, where my email’s still open.
‘The Annas want me to do some work for them.They’re launching their own online fitness platform, and they need someone to help get everything set up financially and then manage it for them.’My gaze skims the message again.It’s written like we’re friends, opening with an exuberant ‘Hey Gen!’
‘Wow.That’s a huge opportunity for you,’ Caleb says.
It really is.If the Annas can convert even a quarter of their audience into paying customers, I’ll be very busy.‘Meredith must’ve suggested me.She mentioned something about chatting with Annaliese the other day.Said she’d been asking questions about the gym.’
‘Looks like everything’s coming together for you, Gen.’Caleb squeezes my knee.‘I love to see it.’
I swallow.
‘What’s that look about?’he asks.
‘No look.Nothing to see here.’
Caleb’s gaze narrows.‘Really?’
‘Yeah.I … you know what?I don’t even want to talk about it.I did something silly, and I want to forget it even happened.’I stand and head to the kitchen to make a fresh coffee.The soft thump of Caleb’s socked feet against the wooden floorboards follows me.
‘Does this have something to do with the hot soldier?’Caleb taps the printout of Knox’s Army ID on the fridge.
‘Nope.’
‘So yes,’ Caleb murmurs.
I open the fridge, grateful for the brief reprieve from Caleb’s knowing grin.‘Let’s talk about you.How’s work?’
‘Fine.Boring.It’s whatever.’
‘Still thinking it’s time for a new job?’I reach for what is now clearly his coffee, asking wordlessly if he’d like a refill.
‘Kind of.I’d like to stay local.If Alizée’s was hiring, I’d apply in a heartbeat, but I’m guessing it’ll be a while until they’re able to do that.’
I think back over the most recent profit and loss statements I’ve prepared for Alizée’s.Things are headed in the right direction, but adding a new full-time wage would be a big deficit to cover.‘I’d say so, but that’s above my pay grade.Probably best to chat with Eugene or Celeste.’
