Page 103 of Touch in the Dark

Jenna: OMG

Brooke: Chill your beans. I don’t think Nick proposed. Did he?

I stare at my phone. Seriously. They all think Nick might… Oh god, no. I don’t even want to think about that. One step at a time. Nick has barely proven he is able to be in a relationship, no matter what he says, it is still going to be a lot of work for him. The thought of marriage might tip him over the ledge.

Brooke: We broke her

Elsa: Almost. No. Nick didn’t propose. We’re like four days into our relationship

Jenna: Crap, that would have been a Christmas miracle. And you guys are more than four days.

Brooke: This time they are. We have enough to deal with sorting out your wedding. I can’t cope with two. So what is the amazing offer? Was it from Nick at least?

Elsa: It’s a job offer. With Instinct, the underwear line we did the photoshoot for. They want me to be their MUA for all their campaigns. It isn’t a permanent job, I’d be under contract as and when but it’s an amazing opportunity

Jenna: That is so cool. You deserve it babe. Do they want you to model for them too?

Elsa: It was suggested but they also know it’s not what I want. They want me for my makeup skills.

Brooke: Drinks tonight at McAllister’s to celebrate?

Meg: Elsa, that is amazing. You really do deserve it

Elsa: Thank you. I haven’t accepted yet, they’ve told me to think over the weekend, but I’m going to take it, I’d be stupid not to

Jenna: Is it New York based?

Elsa: I don’t know all the details yet, but it does involve international travel

Meg: Exciting. I’m having dinner with Joey, but we can meet you after

Elsa: Perfect

Jenna: Make it about ten and I’ll ask Sam to close for us

Brooke: So that means the guys are coming too

Jenna: Not if you don’t want them to

Elsa: It’s fine by me

Jenna: Amazing. See you all tonight

After we’ve finished making plans, I decide to walk back to Remi’s. It’s not close by but it’s a beautiful sunny day despite the chill, and it will give me chance to think over everything that’s happened in the last week.

My phone rings before I reach the end of the block. It’s Jenna. We get the pleasantries and more information about Instinct out of the way before she asks about the real reason she called. Adam has told her about Nick’s father. With Nick’s blessing, Jenna points out. And she knows I was the one who got him back to New York and he’s been with me ever since.

“How is he, really? He told Adam he was dealing. But Archer said different. Do we need to worry?”

“No, he has a good support network around him. He’s not great right now, whether he says he is or not, who could be after hearing all of that? But he will be fine, eventually.”

“I know, it’s heart breaking. I really thought I wanted him to meet up with his biological father, now I’d cheerfully use him as a punching bag.”

I laugh at the visual. Although don’t doubt Jenna could do some serious damage.

“I’m not sure beating up an old man is in your wheelhouse, Jen.”

“Maybe not,” she sniffs. “But if anyone deserves it, it would be him.”

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