Page 81 of A Smart Girl's Guide to Second Chances
‘I’m sure you’ve been waiting with bated breath, but the partners made their decision yesterday.’
‘Yes, of course,’ I said. In all the chaos I’d totally forgotten that the promotion meetings were happening this week.
‘You got it,’ she said, beaming widely. ‘The partners were very impressed that you wooed a new client and won more work.’
‘So, it’s full steam ahead on the new project? And there were no issues on the Alex Lawson contract front?’
‘He’s going back to Harvard. Apparently, the uni and a whole lot of students were devastated when he left. And all the money he made them when they did the spin-off of his work probably didn’t hurt either,’ Miranda said.
I tried to keep my face neutral as a wave of relief enveloped me. Partly that he hadn’t kicked up an enormous fuss and put my career at risk. But mostly because I knew that he was going to be happy.
‘And they don’t care that he didn’t sign his contract extension?’ I asked.
‘They can live with this outcome. He’s harmless on a campus. They just didn’t want his brain at a competitor,’ she said. ‘Anyway, I wanted to share the good news this morning, before it’s officially announced, so you can enjoy the day! So, off you go – celebrate!’
I left the office and went to Siglo, a small rooftop wine bar that overlooked Victorian Parliament, a short walk from the office. I ordered myself a bottle of champagne without even checking the price. Once again, I was sitting on a rooftop, drinking something that made my nose fizz, celebrating. Once again, I was on top of a city. And I’d never felt so flat.
I pulled out my phone and typed out a message to Matt. Then I deleted it. Instead, I opened a new document.
Things I NEED To Do
1.Plan wedding.
Chapter 34
It turned out miracles could happen. The rebuild of our venue finished the day before the wedding and our photographer’s eyes had responded incredibly well to laser surgery. Even Belinda seemed chipper.
I don’t think I’d ever looked better. My hair had been blown into submission, my skin was glowing with carefully calibrated fake tan and my makeup was flawless.
I did a slow walk through the venue and smiled – all our dreams had come to life. The tables were a riot of pastel-hued flowers, elegant tapers and menus, and place settings lettered with whimsical font. Even the phallic candles matched the dahlias. I walked outside to the courtyard where the ceremony would take place in an hour. A floral arch stood in front of the wall covered in ivy, ice buckets were filled with champagne. It was a perfect summer’s day too – not too scorching for tuxedos but not too chilly for strappy dresses.
‘Becs.’ Stella joined me in the courtyard that soon would be teeming with friends and family. She looked gorgeous in her fuchsia bridesmaid’s dress. She’d barely needed any concealer – Alice had slept like a dream since sleep school and Nick was pulling his weight at home. ‘We’ve got a bit of a problem.’
‘What’s going on?’ I asked. Normally, this phrase would have sent my heart racing and my stomach churning, but today I wasall out of negative emotions. I knew that whatever happened, it would all be okay.
‘Your dad just messaged Nick. He’s caught up at work – he doesn’t think he’ll be able to make it.’
I stared at Stella for a moment.
That’s fine, he would have been here if he could, sat on the edge of my tongue.
‘Okay. I’m going to go... deal with that,’ I said. ‘Try not to start without me.’
I ordered an Uber to the hospital. As I clacked through the hospital lobby in my sky-high heels, I realised I didn’t exactly fit in – but I guessed a gown was better than a leotard.
By the time I reached Dad’s office, I was out of breath and my heels were rubbing.
‘Dad, I need you to come with me,’ I said as soon as I reached the door. Dad looked up from his laptop. He was in his surgical scrubs and cap. I didn’t really care.
‘I told Nick that I have to be here,’ he said with an exasperated sigh.
‘No, you don’t,’ I said. ‘You’re not on call. Someone else will look after your patients today.’
‘Yes, but,’ he began, in the voice I imagined he would have used on me as a toddler – if he’d ever been around when I was a toddler.
‘No buts,’ I said. ‘You missed my dinner times, my bedtimes, my weekends, my holidays, my birthday celebrations, my tell-me-about-your-day excruciating conversations. You missed your marriage. You’re not missing Mum’s wedding.’
‘I feel like your mum’s wedding is the one thing Icanmiss,’ he said, his eyes flashing beneath his salt and pepper eyebrows.
