Page 36 of My Trainer Neighbor
***
SHE SHOWED UP AT MYdoor just after dark, still in her work clothes.But something was different.Her hair was down instead of pulled back.Her blouse was untucked slightly.She looked rumpled in a way that had nothing to do with our usual activities.
And fucking beautiful.
"Hey," I said, stepping aside to let her in.
"Hey."She walked past me into the living room, and I caught a hint of her perfume.The same scent that had been driving me crazy all week while she kept me at arm's length.
"You want some wine?I picked up that Pinot you like."
"No.I need to tell you this sober."She turned to face me, and I could see the nerves written all across her face."I quit my job today."
Whatever I'd been expecting, it wasn't that."You what?"
"I quit.Gave my two weeks notice.Walked into David's office and told him I was done."
I moved closer, trying to read her expression.Trying not to focus on how her blouse gaped slightly at the collar, giving me a glimpse of skin I wanted to taste."What happened?"
"Nothing happened.Everything happened."She laughed, but it sounded shaky."I've spent the past week in my new role.Junior accounts.Entry-level work.The kind of stuff I was doing eight years ago.And you know what I realized?"
"What?"
"I didn't miss it.The senior VP track, the prestige, the corner office I was chasing.None of it."She looked up at me."I spent the week working on campaigns for small businesses.A local bakery.A family-owned bookstore.An indie coffee roaster.And for the first time in years, I actually cared about the work.I could feel the passion behind these brands.I understood what made them special."
"Nicole—"
"David was right.I had forgotten how to feel.But it wasn't because I'm cold or broken.It was because I'd spent so long chasing someone else's definition of success that I'd forgotten what actually mattered to me."She was talking faster now, animated in a way I hadn't seen all week."I don't want to be senior VP of a firm that handles multimillion dollar accounts for corporations that don't give a damn about anything except their bottom line.I want to work with people who actually care about what they're building."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I'm starting my own consulting firm.Small businesses, local brands, people who need real marketing strategy but can't afford the big agencies."She laughed again, and this time it sounded more real."I have no idea what I'm doing.I might fail spectacularly.But at least I'll fail doing something I actually care about."
The pride that surged through me was almost overwhelming."You're incredible.You know that?"
"I'm unemployed in two weeks with no real plan and a mortgage to pay."
"You're taking a risk on something that matters to you.That's not nothing."I closed the distance between us, unable to stay away any longer."I'm so fucking proud of you."
She looked up at me, her lips parting slightly."You are?"
"Yeah."I reached out and tucked that loose strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her neck."You're finally doing something for yourself instead of trying to prove you're worthy of some bullshit corporate ladder."
"I'm scared."
"I know.But you're doing it anyway."I slid my hand to the back of her neck, feeling her pulse jump under my fingers."That's the Nicole I know.The one who shows up at my door ready to fight even when she's wearing nothing but a silk robe."
A smile tugged at her lips."I was really angry that morning."
"You were really beautiful.Still are."
"Even though I'm unemployed with no plan?"
"Especially because you're unemployed with no plan."I pulled her closer, until our bodies were almost touching."It means you're finally living instead of just surviving."
She swayed into me, and I felt her breath hitch."Your turn.Tell me about the apartment."
"It's small.Overpriced.The kitchen is a joke and I'm pretty sure something died in the walls at some point."
