Page 42 of The Hometown Dilemma
“Vanessa! What a lovely surprise. How are you?” The unexpected call from my ex-boss had me summoning all my professionalism.
Thank God we weren’t video calling. I’m not sure Vanessa Prince would have been able to take me seriously standing there naked with only a deep-conditioning hair mask on. I put her on speaker as I grabbed a robe and pulled it around myself.
“It’s good to talk to you, Jaime. I’m so glad you answered.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Although we haven’t spoken in a while.” I distinctly recalled her saying I could call her any time if I needed advice. As it had been almost three months since we’d last spoken, she probably thought I’d forgotten all about her offer.
“I have some news that I think you might be interested in.” She let her voice trail off, leaving me hanging.
I frowned. News from New York and Vanessa Prince had to be worth something otherwise she wouldn’t have contacted me.
“Go on,” I said, picking the phone up and holding it closer so I could hear her properly.
“You may know that I also moved on from Barnett and Associates.”
Actually, I didn’t. I hadn’t been all that good at keeping up with what my ex-colleagues were up to, such was the Abbott Ridge bubble I’d moved back to.
“Oh, yes, I think I heard something,” I blustered. “What happened?”
Vanessa chuckled. “Nothing bad. I had an offer I couldn’t refuse from an old acquaintance who is starting up his own firm. Colm Green, do you remember him?”
The name vaguely rang a bell in the deep vestiges of my mind. He’d been someone Vanessa had referred to as her inspiration to get into the design world. If I remembered correctly, he’d won a lot of awards for his work.
“Yes, I recall you talking about him. That’s great he’s starting a new consultancy and wants you on board.”
“Well, he’s not only looking at senior designers, Jaime. He’s also looking to take on some mid-level designers and I immediately thought of you. It would be a fabulous opportunity.”
I almost dropped the phone. Had I heard Vanessa right? Was she suggesting I was good enough to get a role with Colm Green? Recovering my composure, I cleared my throat.
“Wow, Vanessa, I wasn’t expecting that.” Never had a truer statement come from my lips.
“I mean, I don’t know how you’re getting on with your own little venture. I haven’t seen any updates on social media about it.”
Swallowing, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that nothing had exactly gone as I’d told her it would. In my leaving speech, I’d said within three months I’d have a thriving client base in Abbott Ridge and the surrounding areas, but that obviously hadn’t come to fruition. I couldn’t even count Moira Channing as a client.
“I, um, well, it’s been pretty busy, so I haven’t had the chance to create the website and stuff yet. Being a one-person show has its drawbacks when it comes to trying to get everything done.”
“Of course, I completely understand that. With Green Design and Partners, there would be people to do the more menial tasks, and of course you’d have an assistant.”
My former boss spoke as if the job was a done deal. All I had to do was turn up at the office and get started.
It sounded tempting, almost too good to be true.
“Look, I know I’ve sprung this on you…”
No shit, V. Almost like old times when you’d tell me about a new client with fifteen minutes notice.
“But what do you think about coming to New York and having a chat about it? Have dinner with Colm and me.”
I couldn’t deny it sounded interesting. Given my career currently consisted of wiping tables and sorting out shift rosters, the possibility of getting back into design called to me, even if it wasn’t my own business. There weren’t similar opportunities here in Abbott Ridge, so I’d probably have to relocate again.
But how would Wade react when I told him? I couldn’t leave him out of this decision, it would be unfair.
“How soon would you need to know?” I asked.
Vanessa paused and I could hear her tapping on her phone, no doubt looking for something which would tell her. “Colm is in New York next week and is free on Wednesday.”
Less than a week to decide whether to change the course of my career again. I let out a breath. “How about I get back to you tomorrow?”
