Page 94 of Give Me a Reason

“That I don’t take my job or their wedding seriously,” I said, swallowing over the discomfort in my throat.

“Exactly, and then we would get a certain kind of reputation,” Gia said, her voice tinged with disgust.

I knew she fought against the idea that women couldn’t be as successful as men in business. It was why she worked so hard to maintain a good reputation.

Gia waited to see if we would add anything, and then she sighed. “Finn said he wouldn’t take any more gigs so you could keep your job.”

I was shaking my head before she finished her sentence. “I can’t let him do that.”

Finn shook his head. “That’s not your decision. I don’t need this job like you do. I have the teaching position and my bar gigs.”

“You can’t be messing around in the office or at any of the venues,” Gia said, looking first from me and then to Finn.

“That won’t be necessary. Finn and I—we decided to break things off. The whole thing was ill-advised.” It was fun while it lasted, but I couldn’t risk my job again.

Finn sucked in a breath. “I wish you’d give it some time before you make any rash decisions.”

“It seems like I’m screwing up everywhere these days. I made bad decisions, and I’m trying to fix it.”

“I told you I’d take care of you.”

Warmth spread from my cheeks through my chest. I’d loved that he’d said he’d take care of me, but I didn’t need that.

As much as I wanted to let him pick up the pieces, it wasn’t his place, and I wasn’t used to asking for help. I relied on myself. So, I ignored the plea I detected in his voice and asked Gia, “Are you sure you want me to work here?”

“I would have preferred you fought a little harder for your position. That you’d tell me all the things that you’ve done that make you an invaluable employee here.”

When I remained stubbornly silent, she continued. “I had plans for you. I wanted you to start leading your own weddings, and if it worked out, I was going to promote you to a head wedding planner position.”

It was everything I’d ever wanted. Was it off the table now?

“I’m not saying it won’t happen, but I want to see some of that fire that made me hire you in the first place. That Aria would have walked in here, telling me all the reasons why I couldn’t lose her.”

I couldn’t explain how defeated I felt. Even though I kept my job, it was a reminder of how fickle things were. I could lose a job or people in my life at any time. Nothing was guaranteed.

“Take a few days off. I think you need the break, and then be back in on Thursday. We have a big wedding next weekend on the Eastern Shore. Hailey and Ryan’s.”

I stood and shook her hand. “Of course. Thank you for giving me a second chance.”

“We all make mistakes sometimes. Don’t be too hard on yourself.” With a nod, I was dismissed.

I headed outside, desperate to get to my car. I needed to be by myself.

“Aria,” Finn said as soon as I stepped outside into the bright light. I shielded the sun from my face as I turned to confront him.

“I was hoping we could talk.”

“What’s there to talk about? How you shouldn’t have quit so I could keep my job?”

“She wasn’t going to fire you. I’ll finish out my current contracts, and I think she’ll hire me on in the future. She just wants to let this ride out.”

“I wouldn’t want you to lose your job over me.”

His forehead wrinkled. “But it’s okay for you to lose your job for me?”

“I screwed up.”

“I was there too, remember?” He moved closer, his voice lowering to a gentle tone.

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