Page 87 of Falling Fast
‘And everyone says the same thing. You’re a huge asset to this team, Ava, and we’d be fools to let you go.’ Vienna spreads her hands wide. ‘So your trial period is officially over. I’d like to offer you a permanent contract.’
‘You want me … to stay?’ I feel completely disorientated, like I’ve just blinked and found myself in a different room.
‘Fuck, yes. You work harder than anyone else, you’re a team player and you have great ideas. Don’t tell the others, but you’re one of the best employees I’ve ever had.’ She leans forward over her desk. ‘Remember when I hired you, how I said we needed to turn this team around? Well, full disclosure, I didn’t think it could be done. I had no idea if any of us would have jobs by the end of the year. Yet, somehow, we’ve done it. Philip Sawyer’s done his worst and we’re still here. And we just won a fucking GP! Who knows what we canachieve next year? So I want the best possible team around me, and that includes you.’
‘Wow.’ I splay a hand across my chest. I’m so touched by her words I can feel a lump in my throat. ‘That’s … I don’t know what to say.’
‘Say you’ll sign and stay,’ Vienna answers emphatically. ‘Say you’ll accept a raise and a better job title. Senior communications manager – how’s that? I’ll even throw in a designated parking spot.’
‘That would be …’ My voice trails away.Amazing, I was going to say, because itwouldhave been amazing. If I could rewind time to immediately after the Las Vegas GP when I knew how much I wanted to stay at Rask, it would have been perfect. Then I could have run to the podium and told Leif how sorry I was for the way I’d treated him and pre-empted our whole argument. But I can’t, and now I feel flattered and heartbroken at the same time.
‘I can’t.’ I dip my chin. ‘Vienna, I’m sorry. I really appreciate the offer, but … I just can’t.’
Her face falls before she rallies again. ‘Well, there’s no need to rush. Take a couple of weeks to decide. After that I’ll need to start advertising for your replacement, but until then …’ She winks at me. ‘Pick an office. Any office you want. Except this one.’
I get up and walk to reception in a daze. I was so sure that I was about to be sacked. Instead I’ve been offered a better job, with more money and responsibility than anything Quezada will probably offer me. But it’s too late for me to accept because I’ve already ruined everything with Leif and there’s no way we can keep working together now. Even if we keep things professional, the thought of being around him istoo painful. I’ve become expert at burying my feelings over the years, but I know I won’t be able to repress that. I’ve no choice but to move on.
I step outside and let Rask’s front door slam shut behind me.
‘WAIT, DON’T TELL ME!’ Dan opens his front door wearing a navy fleece dressing-gown and holding a bowl of cereal. ‘Alice? Annie? I know I recognize you from somewhere …’
‘Haha.’ I shuffle my feet. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t visited in a while.’
‘And you thought 7 a.m. on a Monday morning was the best time to fix that?’ He chuckles. ‘It’s OK. You’ve been busy.’
‘I still should have come after Hailey … you know.’
‘Flew off to Australia and forgot about me?’
‘Right.’ I give him a sympathetic look. ‘So I know it’s early, but –’
‘Actually, you’re in luck. I’m working from home today.’ He steps aside. ‘Come on in.’
‘Thanks. How are you doing?’
‘Better than I was. Congratulations on Las Vegas, by the way.’
‘Did you watch?’
‘No, but I saw some clips online.’ He leads me through to his kitchen. ‘So when did you get back?’
‘About an hour ago.’ I look around quizzically. ‘Have you decorated?’
‘Yes. I’ve wanted to do it for ages, but Hailey and I could never agree on a colour scheme. Now I only have myself to please, so …’ He shrugs. ‘Silver linings, I guess.’
‘It’s very blue.’
‘I like blue.’ He puts his cereal down and reaches for the kettle. ‘Tea?’
‘Please.’ I hop on to a stool. ‘Have you heard from her?’
‘No, but according to Instagram she loves Melbourne.’ He makes a face. ‘I’ve decided to restrict her posts for a while.’
‘That’s probably a good idea.’
‘Yep. So …’ He gives me a narrow look as he braces his hands on the counter between us. ‘What’s the matter?’
I try not to flinch. ‘What do you mean?’
