Page 59 of Semi Sweet
Sean raised an eyebrow at me. “What?”
I remembered Chloe asking if I was interested in working in the resort town. “Actually, the Rocky Mountain Press has an editor in Aspen. That’s the only thing that could potentially work out in all of this.”
“I’ll take it,” he said. I wanted to talk through all the other issues that gave me anxiety about the situation, but Sean’s phone was buzzing and he was grabbing my jacket and guiding me towards the door. “The cab is here. If you see Evan, tell the driver to keep going.”
He walked me to the cab, giving the cab driver specific instructions and a description of what Evan looked like just in case. The driver asked if he would have to testify in court if something went wrong.
“It will only go wrong if you leave before she gets in the building,” Sean snapped. “No pressure.”
***
Chloe was reading a thick manuscript when I knocked on the frame of her office door.
“Hi Olivia,” she said cheerfully, pushing the stack of papers away. “Are you getting settled here?”
I nodded. “I’m really enjoying it, thank you for asking. I’m afraid I have to talk to you about something serious that has developed.”
Chloe’s expression became serious as I shut the door behind me. I hated people knowing things about my personal life. In the past, it had given people things to gossip about, but I was still going along with the idea of honesty. If I was more open, I’d get more opportunities and hopefully be able to heal.
“Is everything okay?
“Honestly no, but it has nothing to do with the internship. If anything, being here probably helped me more than you can ever realize.”
I started at the beginning, explaining that I probably should have been more up front about why I needed new paperwork. “I’d been in denial about how toxic the relationship was. It wasn’t till he took things too far that I had to get out of there fast. I didn’t want to think you were taking on someone crazy.” I smiled at her. “Getting involved in publishing is something I dreamed about for a long time.”
Chloe looked distraught over the news. “Please, never feel like you can’t be honest with me, with anyone here. We are all about creating safe spaces and being allies to people in all sorts of situations. Do you think you’re okay now?”
I shook my head. “It seems Denver isn’t big enough to keep him away from me.” I exhaled, hoping it wasn’t too late for what I was about to propose. “Does your colleague in Aspen still need help?”
“The position was never filled.” Chloe picked up the phone on her desk. “I’m sure she’d be happy to have you. Let’s try her now.”
A few minutes later, I was walking towards the common room to work with Tasha, pondering how life had gotten me to this moment. If I wasn’t living it, I probably wouldn’t have believed it.
“Everything okay?” Tasha asked when I finally sat down and took my half of the slush pile. How long were people going to keep asking me that before it started to bother me?
“It’s going to be now,” I said, more to myself than to Tasha as she shuffled everything into place.
“So how about getting those drinks tonight?” Tasha suggested. “Or do you have class again?”
I wondered if someday, when I could finally talk to someone about what I’d been through, if we would work on taking down my defenses. I decided being honest had worked so far.
“It’s kind of a long story, but today is my last day here.”
Tasha looked shocked. “But you’ve only been here three days! I thought we were getting on so well. If I’ve been bothering you about your roommate, I–”
I reached across the table and gave Tasha a reassuring pat on the arm. “It’s not that at all. I’m sorry we won’t get to wade the slush pile together anymore. It seems my life could be a story of its own and my next chapter is taking me to Aspen. I’m going to be working with the editor there.”
Tasha looked happy for me. “Angie is great. She comes to Denver from time to time. If you continue to work as hard as you have here, you’ll get hired for sure.”
I smiled. If I could still get a job out of this, I’d be thrilled.
“I’ve got to be honest about one thing, though.” I tried to get it out before I lost my nerve. “Things are complicated with my roommate. He used to be my boss, but he was something mysterious before that. He’s my savior. He’s kissed me.” I watched Tasha’s eyes go wide at that admission. “By all rights, we should be together, but my life is a little chaotic right now.”
“A little?”
“Okay, it’s very chaotic. I’ve been dealing with an unstable ex,” I confessed.
Tasha used her pile of query letters to fan herself. “Jesus, girl, say no more.” For a few moments, silence fell between us. I’d started to make my yes and no pile when Tasha said, “Do you think you’ll date him someday?”
