Page 113 of June

“Jacksonville? You’d move?”

“I don’t know yet. I haven’t had a lot of time to think about it. They want the person to be in the office, and part of me wants that, too. I know most things can be done online now, but I worked in an office before the layoffs, and I liked being around everyone and working on things together. I’d have to change my program to the longer one since that’s the only one they offer online, which means I’d be in school for longer, but I’d have a job, so it’s just complicated now.” Enid sighed.

“Because of school or because of your new relationship?”

“Both,” she said. “Why do things always happen like this? I went to school because I didn’t think I had a choice, but I wasn’t really enjoying it. I was lost and unhappy in my old bedroom, and I wasn’t planning on dating or finding a girlfriend. Then, it’s like, I have this good meeting with my project group today, and I think I might actually like doing this project and I want my degree. I got a job, and I’m going to ask my parents to help with my apartment for a month or two, and I have a girlfriend whom I really like.”

“And she lives here,” Melinda added.

“And has another couple years of school left. Then, I don’t know what she’s going to do, but it’s fine; I don’t need her to have that figured out yet. I just doubt her plans would include moving to Jacksonville.”

“Are you going to talk to her about it?”

“I don’t know. I mean, yes, I will, obviously, but we just started going out. I can’t make a big decision like this because of her. Besides, I need time to look into the company and the city. Sylvie is a good manager, though, and I liked working with her before. She called me specifically for this, so I think I should at least interview. I might not even get it, so there would be nothing to worry about then.”

“Doyouwant to live in Jacksonville?”

“I didn’t really want to live in Tallahassee when I got my first job. It was the job I wanted, but I wasn’t planning on living in Florida forever.”

“Jacksonvilleisin Florida, Enid,” Melinda said with a laugh.

“I know. I know.” Enid chuckled. “I just have a lot to think about, and it’s happening all at once. Where was any of this when I was bored and uninspired?”

“Murphy’s Law, right?” Melinda shrugged.

“Fuck Murphy,” Enid replied.

Melinda laughed and looked up at the open door behind Enid.

“Hey, Jill.”

“Hey. I’m back,” Jill replied. “Hi, Enid.”

“Hey,” she said.

“Sophie just texted and wanted to know if I wanted to hang out tonight. Bryce is here.”

“They don’t want to be alone?” Enid asked.

“She got in last night,” Jill replied. “They’ve done thealonething and will probably do it more, too, but they usually hang out with us at least once or twice when Bryce is here. You in?”

“I’m supposed to go out with Caroline, and she didn’t exactly enjoy hanging out with everyone before.”

“She didn’t?” Melinda asked.

“She likes you guys. It was just intense.”

“Oh. Well, if it’s that, Kyle and I are busy, remember?”

“Yeah, it’s just probably me with Sophie and Bryce,” Jill added. “You can use this as one of your help-me-find-someone nights. We’re having dinner and going for a drink after.”

“I’ll check with Care,” Enid replied. “But you know you and I can just hang out, right? I don’t need an excuse to spend time with you, Jill.”

“Good. Come out with us tonight, then,” Jill said with a smile.

CHAPTER 28

“Are you sure this is okay? I can tell them no,” Enid said.

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