Page 25 of Scoop Me Up
“We could get you in for a night here and there starting next week, but there are some weeks that we’re already sold out.”
My mind raced, trying to figure out a solution. “I appreciate your help.” I gave Jo a nod and headed out, a lump forming in my throat. I didn’t have a lot of options, and I didn’t like most of them anyway. I could go home, giving up my summer with Ellie. Just the thought of it made me feel ill. I could go back to Jennifer’s place. That one didn’t feel like the right choice, either. Ultimately, that left me with one viable place to stay. Sam’s.
I pressed my fingertips to the space between my eyebrows and took a deep, slow breath. Everything would be okay. Sam seemed like a great person. They’d even seemed genuine when they’d agreed with Cooper and invited me to stay. With a deep sigh, I pulled out my phone and texted Sam, standing on the sidewalk in front of the inn.
Gabe: So…is the offer to crash at your place still open?
Sam responded almost immediately.
Sam: Of course. But what happened to the inn?
Gabe: They’re booked, off and on. I needed something for six weeks and they couldn’t make it work.
Sam: Oh shit. I’m sorry. You’re welcome to stay. Head over here anytime you’re ready. I’m home for the rest of the day.
A few moments later, Sam texted me their address. I thanked them and made my way back to Jennifer’s house to gather my things. As I did, my phone pinged with an incoming email, to my business address. Against my better judgment, I pulled up the email while I walked.
Gabe,
I talked to Nick and he asked me to get in touch. He still wants to make you an offer to come on full time with our firm to head up the new branch we’re opening in Washington DC. I was told not to take “no” for an answer. Name your price. This opportunity is yours.
Thanks,
Adam
My stomach churned as I finished reading the email. The email had come from Adam, a former coworker, who’d gone to work with Nick around the same time I started consulting independently. When I’d heard his firm had a director position opening, I’d jumped to apply. After all, why not? The pay washigher than I was making independently and the role came with benefits and a good number of opportunities to expand into other markets. It would involve a lot of work travel, but the home base was supposed to be nearby, close enough that I wouldn’t have to give up time with Ellie—I’d be getting more time with her, if things worked out. The interview had happened the week before I came to Maplewood, and Nick had been very transparent about the move.
I’d originally told myself I’d take the job if they offered it, but that was before I knew they wanted me to move several states away. I barely had a chance to see Ellie as it was. I didn’t want to further jeopardize that. I knew it was a great career move, though.
Instead of responding to the email right away, I stuffed my phone back into my pocket and enjoyed the walk to Jennifer’s house. By the time I made it, I was drained, physically and mentally, by both the email I’d received and the hot summer day.
I pushed open the door, feeling awkward as I did. “Jen? Ellie?” A part of me felt like I was intruding, now that Jennifer was back.
“In here,” Jennifer called, voice wavering. I followed her voice and found her sitting on the couch, eyes red, a book open in her hands. She sniffled as I entered the room and wiped her eyes with the heel of one hand. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, closing the book.
“Hey, no reason to apologize.” I took a seat next to her. “Do you want to talk about it?”
With a shaky exhale, she put the book aside. “It’s just—” She stopped speaking abruptly before taking another deep breath and starting again. “Things were good, you know? I would have never planned an eight week European tour with him if theyweren’t. He’s always been such a great guy. But…” She looked at her lap.
“You don’t have to tell me if you aren’t ready. Even if you’re never ready.”
She looked at me with the same blue eyes as Ellie and for a moment, I remembered why we’d gotten married. It was a distant feeling, detached from the present moment. I realized I didn’t wish we could go back anymore and hadn’t for a long time. I wanted to move forward.
“Thanks,” she murmured. There was a long, quiet pause. “He cheated on me,” she blurted finally.
“Oh my God, Jen.” Jennifer and I had never had a perfect marriage, but neither of us had ever cheated.
She shrugged, a small lift of her shoulders. “With our tour guide.”
I could hardly believe what I was hearing. “Are youserious?What a tool. You’re better off without him.”
Jennifer laughed, a wavering sound, and nodded. “I knew you’d have something reassuring to say.”
“Honestly, you are.”
She reached over and squeezed one of my hands. “I know.”
Ellie bounded into the room at that moment, freezing when she spotted me and narrowing her eyes. “Are you guys holding hands?”
