Allied Recovery Assistance is located in Chelsea, and I’ve never spent any time in Chelsea, and I already love it. It looks and feels older and smaller than Midtown, it’s artsy and eclectic, and it has a vibe of the version of New York that young, naïve creative types fantasize about running away and moving to so they can pursue a life as a starving artist. I’m not an artist, and I have no intention of starving anymore. Not between Colin’s $10,000 in my bank account, the salary I’ve accepted, and of course thatone million dollarsthat should be arriving in the mail within the next couple of weeks.
But I digress. Chelsea has a good vibe, as does the office of Allied Recovery, as does my new boss, Georgia Rivera. Georgia is sitting behind her desk while she casually sorts through my new-hire documents and tidy case files, pausing to turn to a sleek iMac and scroll and click. She’s a solid woman in her late-forties with smooth umber skin and long, thick, silver dreadlocks, which she wears wrapped and piled on top of her head like a crown, making her a good four inches taller than she actually is. I liked Georgia immediately because every bit of heroozesserenity and confidence, and I want to be aGeorgiawhen I finally grow up.
“It can take up to two weeks for your official scores to reach the regulatory board,” Georgia is saying in a voice like rich velvet. “The board will contact you directly regarding your licensure status. Once you get that, you just let me know, and we’ll release you into the wild.” She turns from the screen as her full, well-moisturized lips spread away from her white teeth in a smile. “I’m sure you’re anxious about the results, but try not to be. Based on your background, I’m sure you did excellent. And even if for some reason you didn’t pass, you can just take it again in ninety days.”
I return her smile, leaning back comfortably in my chair. “I am anxious, but I feel pretty good about it.”
“As you should.” She glances down at my paperwork again. “I gather that the corporate culture you came from was a bit…” She pauses meticulously. “Cutthroat. That’s not how we do things. Our mission is to support people. That includesourpeople. We advocate for those who need it, and we’ll advocate for our own team when and if they need it. You can’t serve clients if you’re stressed about work, so that means we maintain a stress-free environment. You have no quotas. You’re simply required to do your best to serve these people to the best of your ability. While we wait for your licensure, you’ll be supporting me on a few cases. That’ll prepare you to hit the ground running when your license comes through.”
I nod. “Sounds good.” I can’t help smiling. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here. I’ve wanted to do something like this ever since I was a kid. My brief detour into corporate sales was a financial necessity after I graduated. I’ve finally got my feet on the ground, and I’m ready to run with this.”
Georgia offers a slow, approving nod. “I had a similar detour when I was younger, so I relate. I’m glad to have you as part of our team, Elle. I have all the faith in you to do great things for our clients.”
Gawd, could this woman be any more awesome? Could this first day of work be any better than my previous first day of work? I am one-hundred-percentin lovewith this place already.
I amsoin love with it that I already know it’s not going to be long before I forget literally everything about the tumultuous, anxiety-inducing previous six months.
Andhopefully,once I get that check and finally pay off my loans, I’ll manage to forget Colin, too. I need to forget him, because every time he crosses my mind right now, I get this weird stabbing pain in my chest. Almost like I miss him, even though there’s not much to miss about him being an asshole for half a year. Almost like part of me wishes there was a way to get rid of the asshole side of him and keep the funny, cute, sweet part of him that I know is in there somewhere.
If nothing else, Archer can always be counted on to be a distraction. And the day I watched the woman I am newly-in-love with walk away from me forever, my hot mess baby brother provided one hell of a distraction indeed.
It’s been two weeks since the day I let Elle go—ineverymeaning of the phrase—and I still have no fucking clue where Archer is. I should’ve been tipped off by the fact that he managed to not call me all weekend. He’s not at his apartment, he hasn’t been to work, and he’s not answering his phone. It’s a good thing I nailed down the sale with Ernesto, because I might have to live on that million dollars while I search for a new job after Dalton shit-cans me for being so distracted.
Although, after two weeks of him going missing, it’s surged past meredistraction, and I’m deep in panic territory now. I’ve been in contact with the NYPD Missing Persons Squad for about a week and a half, and they’ve had absolutely zero information or leads for me. His boss at the meatpacking plant fired him after missing two days in a row, so he obviously hasn’t seen him. His sponsor from Narcotics Anonymous hasn’t heard from him either, and told me he would pray for us.
Thanks, buddy!
The prayers have done nothing. The NYPD has done nothing.EverythingI’ve thought of has done nothing, and it’s three in the afternoon and I’ve done nothing but mostly bounce my leg, and pace my office, and check my phone all day because I honestly think Archer’s dead.
I fucking failed him.
I always had a feeling I was going to at some point.
I probably should’ve broughthimwith me to the engagement party instead because then I wouldn’t have either of these problems right now.
The woman I just fell in love with is gone forever, and my baby brother probably is, too.
I’m useless at work today, so I’m just going to leave. I’m sure Dalton will notice and have something to say tomorrow, but I have bigger problems than him right now.
I’m staring at my phone while I wait for the elevator, when someone bumps my shoulder.
“What up, C.?”
I glance up to see Celia smirking at me. “C.?” I gesture at her with my phone. “You know, you could beC.also, and that could get confusing, so why don’t you just stick to my full name?”
Shetsks. “You’re in a mood. But you’realwaysin a mood, aren’tcha?” She folds her arms across her ample bosom and looks up at the digital floor numbers counting down. “So what is it today?”
I look back down at my phone. “Just personal shit.”
“What kinda personal shit?” Celia gives a weighted pause. “I know it can’t beyou know whobecauseyou know whowoulda told me. So is it maybe anew you know who?”
I glower at the screen of my phone at her reminder of theotherproblem I’ve got. “No. It’s family stuff.”
“Oh.” I see her waggle her head in my periphery. “Well, that sucks.”
I’m not interested in giving her any opportunity to pepper me with questions during the elevator ride down, so I shift into boss mode and look at her. “Are you leaving for the day?”
“Yep.” The elevator doors open, and Celia steps in first. “I wrapped up all my shit early so I can go celebrate withyou know whoafter her first day at her new job.”
