“That’s brilliant news, Owen! Whose job have you got? Can I move with you, or will I be getting a new boss?”
I stop at the traffic lights and look at her. “The new position isn’t in our office.”
It's finally starting to dawn on her what I am saying. “What office is it?”
“I haven’t accepted it. I don’t know if I am going to. What do you think?”
She won’t look at me. “Where is it, Owen?” My heart beats faster; I know she’ll insist that I take the job, but I don’t want to take it if it means I can’t be with her.
“New York. They offered me the big fish. A promotion, pay rise, benefits and relocation settlement.”
The realisation washes over her and through her pain-filled expression, she smiles at me. “You would be a fool not to take it, Owen. You have worked so hard, and you deserve this. I am so proud of you. Will you take me home, please? I’m not feeling too good.”
“Jamie… I haven’t accepted it, not yet. I don’t want to leave this. I don’t want to lose us over a job.” Any other day, the roads would be gridlocked but not today; I’m at her flat in Greenwich within ten minutes.
“We’ve only just started dating, Owen, and it isn’t just a job. This is your career. I just need some time to think things over. I don’t want to lose you over a job either. When will you give them your decision?”
“I have asked them to consider some additional benefits before I will agree. I made a few counteroffers. I know we’ve only just started dating, Jamie, but we are more than that. I’m in love with you, and I want to be with you. No job could ever be more important than that.” I kiss her to bring home the truth of my words.
She looks up at me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I want to be with you, too, but if this doesn’t work, you would have thrown away your big opportunity for nothing. I am not going to be the reason you’re unhappy, Owen. I just need time to think. I will see you tomorrow at work.” She kisses me on the cheek before running to her door.
She takes my heart with her as she closes the front door on me. I have waited for her all this time, and now, the job of my dreams threatens to put a stop to it.
Jamie is so upset that I am starting to believe she is falling in love with me, too. I know she feels something, but how do I get her to admit that? Not just to me but to herself?
My counteroffer to the company is that I get to bring my PA with me, that she be offered the same relocation package. I don’t want to tell her about that yet, not until they agree to that stipulation. The truth is, I am not sure she feels strongly enough for me to move to New York with me. We are still so new and fresh that this may be too early for her to consider.
There is always a long distance relationship to consider, I suppose, but I know that is practically dead in the water. I would only be able to come and see her once every couple of months and Jamie is terrified of flying on her own. What a fucking mess.
As I drive myself to my own home, I am overwhelmed with longing for her. This will be the first night we have spent apart since we got together in Copenhagen. If this is how I feel at the prospect of one night apart, then how the hell am I going to relocate to New York without her?