Page 11 of Versions Of Us

“What?” I ask, combing a stray tendril behind her ear.

“I might have a volunteer position at the new Cliff Haven helpline,” she grins.

“That’s awesome, babe. How did you score that?”

I know how important her future career in psychology is to her. And the way she lights up when she speaks about the thing that she’s most passionate about always has a way of putting a smile on my face too.

“Chase got a job there. He said they’re looking for another volunteer.” Her palms move down, resting on my chest. “He’s going to put in a good word for me.”

“Chase?” My jaw tenses involuntarily. I can’t help it. It’s how I’m wired.

“Yeah. You remember Chase, right?”

“Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile.

I remember him alright. How could I forget about the one other guy that gets to see Kristen even more than I do? It doesn’t help to know that if she gets this position, she’ll be spending even more time with him. Just the thought of it drives me crazy, but I know she hates my jealous streak. It’s gotten me into trouble more than once in the past, so for the sake of Kristen’s happiness, I push my feelings way down.

“That’s great, Kris. I’m happy for you.”

“Well, it’s not a done deal yet. But I’m pretty sure I’m in,” she says as she begins tracing the lines of my collarbones with her fingertips.

“Of course, you are. They’d be crazy not to hire you.” I tuck a stray dark tendril behind her ear as she leans into me, peppering kisses along my jawline.

There are some things in this life that terrify me, not that I’d ever admit to them out loud.

I hate flying.

I have a borderline irrational fear of sharks.

I get claustrophobic in tight spaces.

But nothing in this world scares me more than the thought of Kristen realising that she’s way too good for me.

That one day she’s going to take on the world and I’ll never be enough for her.

Chapter 5

KRISTEN

“How was the interview?” Liv looks up from her laptop as I enter her apartment, a hopeful expression on her face.

The interview she refers to is the one I had this morning over the phone with a woman named Jules, who to my delight, had informed me that it would be a pleasure to offer me a volunteer position.

“It was a success!” I exclaim. “You’re looking at Cliff Haven helpline’s newest volunteer crisis counsellor.”

“Yay!” Liv cheers and claps her hands in excitement. “See? I knew you’d get it. When do you start?”

“The day after your party,” I answer.

Liv winces at my response, knowing all too well that I’m not always a morning person the day after a big event. “Oh, I hope not too early.”

“No. I don’t need to be there till five. So, I can party all night long with you guys. And the first shift is just the induction. Online training, safety. That kind of thing.” I perch on the armchair beside her. “After that, there’s more on-the-job training before I’ll be taking calls myself. Then I’ll be doing two shifts a week from six till eleven.”

“Oh, that’s so exciting!” she beams.

“Yeah, it is. I’m kind of nervous, but in a good way. And speaking of your party,” I say, peering over her shoulder at the screen of her laptop. “Where are you at?”

Liv and EJ have set the date for their engagement party for two weeks from now and there’s still so many preparations to be made. Last time I’d spoken to her they hadn’t even decided on a venue. I was starting to freak out that they would run out of time, but Liv remained her usual chill self.

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