Page 116 of A Heart Worth Finding
“Hi, Jessica,” the woman said. “This is Polina from the English Language School in Saint Petersburg. Is this a good time to talk?”
“Oh, hi, Polina!” Jessica said, rising from her seat and mouthing to Berkley and Kenzie that she’d be right back. “This is a great time. Well, it’s nine at night, but that’s no big deal.”
“Oh goodness,” Polina said. “I am so sorry. I must have calculated the time change wrong.”
Jessica laughed as she settled herself on an oversized armchair in Brent and Berkley’s den. “It’s not a big deal at all,” she said.
“Well, good. So I am calling because, after our phone interview last week, we are officially offering you the position to join our staff after your graduation.”
A massive grin bloomed on Jessica’s face. All thoughts from a moment ago vanished at her dream being presented to her on a silver platter. “That’s amazing news,” she said. “And I happily accept.”
“Good, good,” Polina said. “I will email you over the contract and everything for your signature. All that is left is to set your start date and get you set up with somewhere to live in the city. Is your passport current?”
“Yes.”.
“Good, good,” Polina said again. “That will make getting you here easier. So my next question is…how soon do you graduate?”
“Graduation day is April twenty-seventh.”
“Excellent,” Polina said. “In that case, we are hoping you can start as soon as possible thereafter. How does May the thirteenth sound?”
A pang of fear spread through Jessica’s chest.
That was only a month away.
For only a moment did she consider asking for more time to enjoy graduating college and prepare for the move, but she figured if she was doing this, there was really nothing holding her back from starting immediately.
“That will work perfectly,” Jessica said, though her words wobbled at the edges.
“Good, good,” Polina said once more, and Jessica was beginning to think it was her catchphrase. “I’ll email everything over as soon as we end this call, and we’ll be in contact with further information about getting here and living arrangements.”
“Great!” Jessica said. “Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
“Of course,” Polina said. “Welcome to the team.”
Jessica hung up and walked back into the kitchen in a daze.
“Who was that?” Berkley asked.
“The Russians,” she said. “They’ve officially offered me the job, and I have a start date.”
“Oh my gosh!” Kenzie said, jumping up to throw her arms around Jessica. “That’s amazing! Congratulations, sis.”
“When do you start?” Berkley, ever the pragmatist, asked.
“May thirteenth.”
“Holy fuck,” her sister breathed. “That’s…soon.”
“What’s soon?” Brent asked as he returned to the room.
“Jessica got the job. And she starts in a month.”
“Holy shit,” Brent said. “Thatissoon. But congrats, little sis!” He walked up and tucked her into his side, giving her a squeeze.
Jessica knew she should be happy. She should be ecstatic, over the moon, jumping for joy and popping bottles of champagne in celebration. But a little ball of dread had formed in her chest, and it grew with each passing second.
“Brent,” Jessica said suddenly, desperately, and three pairs of eyes swiveled to her, each of them scrunching at the corners in confusion.
