Page 4 of One Night Only
“Maybe because he picked the wrong person,” I say lightly.
“Glad to hear you’re over that.”
I make a face.
It’s been three weeks since I lost out on a promotion. Three weeks since Harvey gave the job to Matthias. Hard-working, good-looking Matthias who always brings in snacks and always says hello. He organized the office to get flowers for my birthday and has twice loaned me his large man umbrella when it was raining because I’d forgotten mine.
That’s how annoying this whole thing is. He’s not even my enemy, so I can’t even hate him. I’m happy for him.
And miserable for me.
All the articles online say that when something like this happens you should start looking for a new job. But getting a new job isstressful. It means secrets and sneaking off to interviews and evenings lost to prep work.
It’s making an effort when I don’t particularly want to.
Unless I’m forced to.
I turn on my computer, dread settling in.
“Aren’t you going to go see Harvey?” Will asks, a little too innocently.
“I’m going to wait until after your ten o’clock with Yasmin so you two have nothing to talk about.”
He scowls, finally looking at me. “Spoilsport.”
“Gossip.”
“If he fires you, I’m taking your desk.”
He dodges the pencil I throw at him and goes back to his breakfast.
But he’s right. I should go see Harvey, bite the bullet before the rest of the office gets in. But my thoughts instantly change track when I log in and see an email from Annie.
Annie’s been my best friend for over ten years since we shared a room at NYU. I was studying architecture. She hopped around before settling on art history but then got a job in HR straight after graduation and, in her words, never looked at a painting again. She’s great at trivia nights though.
Last year, she and her fiancé Paul moved to London for his job, completely disregarding the drunken promise we made at nineteen to always be there for each other. It broke my heart to see her go but they’re coming back to New York this winter and we’ve spent the last few months making plans for all the things we would do.
But first comes the wedding.
And not just any wedding. AnIrishwedding.
Paul is from a small village on the east coast of Ireland and it didn’t take much persuasion to get Annie to agree to a summer ceremony in the Irish countryside. It took even less persuasion to get me to come too.
I am the maid of honor and have never been more excited about anything in my life.
What better reason to splash a good chunk of your savings than for the happiest day of your best friend’s existence?
And judging by the high-priority-marked email she’s sent me, the happiest day of mine too.
Only one more sleep until you’re here!she writes.Paul checked out the hotel yesterday to see the final plans. Everything is DONE and it looks BEAUTIFUL and I am only hyperventilating two times a day now.
I click through the attached photos, marveling at each one. The hotel is the reason for the long engagement. Paul was adamant he wanted to get married there but a lengthy waiting list coupled with a not-so-small price tag meant this was the earliest they could get.
My new passport arrived this morning!I email back.We are officially all systems go.I can’t wait to see you.
“Sarah?”
Harvey, my boss, stands beside the cubicle, his glasses pushed into his gray hair. “Do you have time for a quick chat?”
