Page 91 of His to Love
She headed toward her desk and I followed, sidestepping binders and fabric swatches all over her floor. She was an incredible event planner, but she was also a slob.
I’d gotten used to it.
“What’s this?” I asked when she handed me a business card and then an envelope with my name printed on it.
“That is the number for the hiring agency that will need to find me a new assistant,” she said, and my jaw dropped. “And the envelope has your new salary and benefits package for your new position.”
I frowned and looked at her. “I don’t understand.”
“You can’t plan the governor’s daughter’s wedding and be an assistant. You’re now an Associate Event Planner.”
Tingles slid up my arms and then down my spine as my eyes widened further. “Are you serious?”
“I am.” She nodded once and walked toward me, her hand wrapping around my arm when she got close. Then she smiled, her light green eyes shining with amusement. “Congratulations on your promotion. Now go home and celebrate.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
“You’ve done an incredible job and you’ve earned it.”
Her confidence made me smile. “Thank you. For everything, Simone.”
“I told you the day you walked in here that you got the job because of your dad, but you’d have to work hard to keep it. You’ve exceeded my every expectation and impressed me with the dignity with which you’ve carried yourself for the last few months. You may have been born a Galecki, Gabriella, but you are also wholly and uniquely you. And I’m honored to be not only your boss, but also your friend.”
I blinked rapidly, the sudden onslaught of emotion catching me by surprise.
She laughed and tugged me toward the door of the office. “Now get out of here and go celebrate. But not too much, I can’t have my new associate planner showing up for her first day of work with a hangover.”
I allowed her to lead me out of her office, my smile growing with every step as my shock decreased. And suddenly, a few of the best margaritas in the Detroit area didn’t sound like such a bad thing.
It sounded wonderful.
Because along with my new name, I was gaining a new life—with great friends and a wonderful career.
If only the black hole in my heart caused by losing Tyson would disappear, I’d have everything I had always wanted.
—
“Drink.”
Suzanne pointed to my refilled glass and glared.
I pressed it to my lips and sipped. Then I flashed her a cocky grin. “Happy now?”
“I will be when you’re drunk.”
Around us, the girls laughed while Camden and Chelsea raised their margarita glasses in the air. We’d been celebrating my new position for the last hour. I was on my second margarita and my stomach was stuffed full of nacho chips and queso dip. I was still waiting on my buffalo cheeseburger that I had ordered a little while ago.
I should have been having a blast.
I was. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much.
Yet with every sip of a drink, with every laugh, with every glance over my shoulder, I felt nervous.
Unsettled.
At any moment, Tyson could walk through those doors.
That one of his college teammates owned the place made it seem so much more likely than it did at any other restaurant in the area.
