Page 127 of One Night Only
“I’m mad at you,” Annie says, tearing into a bread roll. I try and do the same, forcing my hands to move so we’re not just sitting there.
“Look, I’m sure he’s planning on telling you. He’s back Friday and—”
“He’s what?”
Paul’s face goes white as he realizes he made another mistake. “He didn’t tell you?”
“Not when he’d be back.”
“Where is he?” Annie asks.
“Boston.”
My butter knife clatters to the plate. “Where?” I ask, my voice deathly quiet.
Paul looks confused. “He’s in Boston. He said he was going for work.”
“He’s not in Boston,” I say, my voice sounding like it’s coming from very far away. “He’s in Chicago.”
Annie twists to face Paul, her expression murderous, but before anyone can say anything more a shadow falls over the table.
“Excuse me?” The three of us look up at a very nervous server. “Anyone want to hear the specials?”
* * *
And that’s not even the worst part of my day.
After lunch, I arrive back at my desk to find an email from Harvey, asking me to come to a meeting in his office.
I know instantly what’s happening. But instead of horror, a strange sort of calm settles over me, tinged almost by relief that I wouldn’t have to wait for the inevitable anymore. The firm is sinking. And there aren’t enough lifeboats to go around.
He’s standing when I enter. Another woman is there as well. One I’ve never seen before. She’s in a conservative gray skirt, white blouse combo. She has a gentle smile.
“Sarah,” he says. “Thanks for coming. Could you close the door?”
Twenty minutes later I leave the room without a job. Or soon to be without one anyway. I’ve got two weeks and I’ve got severance and it’s not just me. Three others are going as well. As if that’s supposed to make me feel better.
Will is unusually quiet when I return as if he already knows. Or maybe he can just see it on my face.
Harvey told me I can leave early if I want to but it’s only three o’clock and it would be too obvious. Way too obvious. So instead, I clear my throat and wake up my computer, trying to act normal, trying to—
“Sarah?”
Will stands beside my desk, wallet in hand. “You want to go get some fresh air? Grab a coffee?”
“I’m okay.”
“I could really use a cappuccino right now.”
“You go,” I say. “I’ve got to finish this. Grab me a muffin?”
He looks at me dejectedly. “Sure.”
I wait until he goes and then I shut myself in the nearest meeting room as the tears start to spill. Just a few more hours. I just need to make it through a few more hours and then I can go home and I can—
There’s a knock on the door. Will.
“I’m on a call,” I say, wiping my eyes.
