Page 32 of Joy to Noel
ME
I got a job today!
There’s no instant response, giving me plenty of time to pick apart my decision to text him first. Finally, after five minutes that feel like a root canal, he texts back.
SUITS
You landed your first client? Well done.
ME
Well, no. Still on the hunt for a proofreading client. But Becky offered me a job at her coffee shop.
The message is instantly read, but the response dots don’t immediately start bouncing. It’s a few minutes until his next text comes through.
SUITS
Why are you wasting time working at a coffee shop instead of focusing on getting clients? Or are you bailing on MJE and last night was a waste of our time?
My eyes read and reread his text over and over, trying to process a different meaning than the words on the screen. Heat prickles in my chest, a kernel of anger whirring to life inside.
ME
Um, rude. No, I’m not bailing. I spent most of the day on MJE tasks and reaching out to potential clients. It’s not a waste of time to accept a part-time job that will give me a little bit of stability while I get things off the ground.
SUITS
Not trying to be rude. I just don’t want you to chicken out on something you were excited about.
ME
I’m not chickening out. But I promise not to risk wasting any more of your precious time. I’ve got things covered on my own from here on out.
I toggle my phone to silent and click off the screen.
Then, I sit down at my laptop.
I’ll show you, Mr. Exec Suits Park.
I start sending more emails about my proofreading services, and I’m deep in the zone when there’s a knock at my door.
Crossing my arms, I glare at the offending knocker on the other side of the door. I take my time getting up to answer it.
“Yes?” I ask curtly as I open the door a crack.
“I’m sorry,” Liam says. He’s wearing the same brand of athletic apparel he had on the first time we met, and it’s really rather annoying that he can look so attractive in both suits and athleisure. Especially when I’m very annoyed with him.
“Sorry for what?” I prompt.
He huffs an exhale through his nostrils. “I’m sorry I insinuated that you wasted my time and that you were chickening out.”
I make a show of looking at my phone. “Um, last time I read your words with my highly-trained eyeballs, pretty sure you outright said I wasted your time and I was chickening out. There was zero insinuation or subtlety.”
Liam rolls his eyes, then leans a forearm against the door. “Okay. Sorry forexplicitly statingthe above. I was in hot water for not having a report ready to go for my boss this morning. Normally, I would have had an update to share first thing.”
Guilt twinges my gut. “But you were helping me out, instead,” I state flatly. Liam shrugs. “Sorry,” I say.
“It’s fine,” Liam replies. “You’re in good shape now, and I had a full report ready for my boss by the end of the day. All’s well that ends well.”
