Page 119 of The One I Need
“Saved you? I mean, you were going through a breakup, but I don’t know how that constituted saving you?”
“For years I told you that I had been dumped that night and that’s why I was at the bar. And that’s the truth. What you don’t know is that the guy who dumped me that night was the first guy I had tried to date since I had moved to Los Angeles three years before that.”
“Really? Why did you not date in that time?”
“Because my ex from back home was…he was bad. Narcissistic. Emotionally and mentally abusive. And, even though he was my high school boyfriend, our families were pushing us to get married for a business situation. When I caught him cheating on me the day of our wedding—”
“Excuse me, what!” Hazel yells, drawing a few looks from the crowd.
“Yup. Walked in on him and my maid of honor fucking on the bathroom counter.”
“Holy shit,” Hazel says. “I thought they only made movies with that plot line.”
“Nope, that was my life,” I say. “I immediately left Nebraska and headed to Los Angeles. I barely had a penny to my name, my family had all but disowned me, and I was dealing with trauma that I was about to push down for the next decade.”
“Izzy,” Hazel says. “I had no idea.”
“Of course you didn’t. I made sure of that. But eventually, I thought I got better. I was working full time and going to college because I was determined to make it on my own. And I started dating a guy from one of my classes. He seemed nice. We were in a few study groups. He had asked me out for months, but I told him I was focusing on school. The night of graduation he asked me out again. I thought it was cute, so I said yes.”
“Please tell me you didn’t catch him in the bathroom.”
“Not a bathroom,” I say. “This one was in his car.”
“Fucking men…”
“That’s what I said, and that’s what I was saying all the way to the bar that night. I got drunk and convinced myself that men cheated. That’s just what they did. That was my experience, so why keep going after something that you knew the outcome of?”
“Oh, Izzy,” Hazel says.
“It’s okay,” I say. “That night you gave me light. This job kept me sane, functioning, and let me find myself. When I left Nebraska, I promised myself I was going to make it on my own. You helped me do that. I always said that you saved me that night, and I mean it. So, when you say ‘Hey Izzy, go to London,’ or ‘Hey Izzy, fix this unfixable thing,’ I will do it without thinking twice. Because that’s the only way I can think of repaying you for what you did for me all those years ago.”
Hazel is in tears as she reaches out to me for a hug. We wrap each other in a tight embrace as years of friendship and emotion flow through us. I don’t know if there are soulmates, or if there is someone above pulling the strings, but I truly believe that Hazel and I were meant to be in each other's lives. Because this kind of friendship is once in a lifetime.
“I’m so proud of you,” she says into my shoulder, still holding on to me. “You’ve come so far. From what started as managing a few influencers has turned into being my number two. And not only that, you are running this whole damn branch. I don’t know anyone else who could do what you did these past two months. You’re amazing, and I want you to make sure I tell you that every day.”
“Will do, boss. Though I’m guessing for a little while longer it will have to be over Zoom.”
We break the hug, the mood now lower since I changed the subject. “Actually, that’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
Shit. Why did my stomach all of a sudden drop to my feet?
“I’m going to do this in two parts. Because for all these years you’ve been the most valuable employee and work partner I could have ever asked for. But on the other hand, you’re my best friend in the entire world. And for what I’m about to say, boss Hazel and friend Hazel are very, very separate people and mindsets.”
“Okay…”
Hazel sits up a little straighter and gives her blazer a little tug. Clearly she’s getting into CEO Boss Bitch Hazel mode.
“Izzy, you have been a valued and exemplary employee for thirteen years. There hasn’t been a single situation you haven’t been able to handle or project you haven’t been able to conquer. What you’ve done with this London overhaul and launch has been truly miraculous. And while I know the plan was for you to come out here and interview the next head of the London division, there would be no other person better suited for the job than you. That is, if you want it.”
“Wow.” I pause for a second, making sure what she said was for real. “Wait, did Bridget put you up to this?”
Hazel laughs. “No, though she did send me multiple emails on the subject. But I didn’t need her emails. You’re the logical choice, and I’ve known that for a long time. I was just too selfish to let you leave Nashville.”
“I…I’m flattered,” I say. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything yet. Because I haven’t told you what friend Hazel wants to say.”
I smile, having a feeling I know where this is going. “Then please, continue.”
