Page 186 of Dear #47, You're the Worst
“Maybe. But everyone needs someone in their corner.” He pauses. “Which brings me to why I wanted to talk to you. How would you feel about taking over the entire PR department?”
I blink. “What?”
“Director level. Your own team. Full budget authority. Significant salary increase.” He studies my reaction. “You’ve proven you can handle crisis management and long-term strategy. We’d like to make this official.”
The offer hits me like a physical blow. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve wanted, handed to me on a silver platter.
“I...” Tears spring to my eyes before I can stop them. “Yes. I’d work my butt off for this team, sir.”
Jimbo looks startled when I hug him. He allows it for exactly one second before stepping back.
“Good. We’ll discuss details next week.”
I spend the rest of practice in a daze. Ignoring my laptop, I head down to watch the guys practice. Hunter plays with such sharp focus and intensity; I stare vacantly as I process what just happened.
I got the promotion. The recognition. The validation that my work matters. I want to shout to the rafters if I didn’t think it would interrupt the players on the ice. I’mbuzzing.
When Hunter emerges from the locker room, I’m waiting for him, like always.
“How was practice?” I ask.
“Good.” He studies my expression. “You look like you have news.”
“Jimbo offered me the PR director position.”
Hunter stops walking and turns to face me fully. His face lights up. “Juliet, that’s incredible. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“You deserve this. You’ve worked so hard.”
He kisses me right there in the hallway, not caring who sees. Not that we’ve ever hidden our so-called relationship, exactly. But there are no cameras around today. When we break apart, he’s looking at me like I hung the moon. “I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud ofus.”
That night, we celebrate with takeout, two episodes of Detective Saga, and cheap wine on the couch. Hunter scribbles in while I read through the preliminary job description Jimbo sent over.
“This is everything you wanted, isn’t it?” He doesn’t look up from whatever he’s working on.
“It is.” I cock my head. “Are you worried I’ll change? Get too busy for this? Because I won’t. I promise.”
“No. I’m excited to watch you run things. You’re going to be incredible at it.” The simple confidence in his voice makes my chest warm.
“What are you drawing?” I ask.
He shows me the sketch. It’s me, curled up on the couch with paperwork scattered around me, completely absorbed in reading. He’s captured something in my expression I didn’t know I had. Determination, maybe. Or just contentment.
“You make me look beautiful.” I say.
“I just draw what I see.”
My heart hums and I have to kiss him after that. How could I not?
Chapter43
Juliet
My mother has been a busy little bee, it seems. That much becomes apparent when the second job offer arrives on a Wednesday morning via FedEx. Thick cream paper, embossed letterhead, the presentation that screams prestige and money. Riley, Rawls, and Associates wants me as part of their celebrity PR team. The salary figure makes me blink twice.
