“Can we at least talk?”
“No,” I exclaim with a grimace, turning on my heel and starting to walk again.
He follows me. “Please,” I hear him say. “Let me join you. I just want to apologize.”
I don’t reply, but I don’t tell him to get lost either, so he follows me all the way to the deli around the corner from the office. We used to eat there together all the time, in those days when I was still waiting for him to realize that he loved me.
Now I guess he had, but it was too late, for both of us.
We make our orders, and while we’re waiting for the food to arrive, I give him an impatient glare from across the table.
“I don’t know why you need to make a big ceremony out of apologizing,” I say. “Seriously.”
Jack is quiet. “I meant what I said that night,” he starts, “about my feelings for you.”
I roll my eyes. “Not again, Jack. I can’t do this again.”
He holds up a hand. “I know. I just wanted you to know that I didn’t say those things because I was jealous of Court, or the fact that you were happy. I meant them.” He closes his eyes and gives me a small, sad smile. “I’m leaving Gilt.”
“Oh!” I can’t hide my shock. He’s been at Gilt Traveler for far longer than I have. He is one of our most talented and well-traveled writers, and he actually knew how to write. I frown, not sure that I understand. “Why?”
He shrugs. “I need a change of scene, I guess.”
Did that have anything to do with me? It’s strange to think that his feelings for me could be so intense that he couldn’t stand to work in the same building. What an irony that would be, I think uncomprehendingly, before dismissing the idea. There was bound to be another reason.
“Where will you go?”
“I have a deal to extend my three episode specials to ten episodes seasons. So I’m moving to LA. I’ll be working more closely with the producers anyway. I might as well take the distance out of the equation.”
“Of course.” His TV appearances had been remarkably successful. I imagine all the dangerous things he’ll have to do, year after year. All the places he’d have to travel to keep people interested in watching him on TV, but that was what he loved doing, so I guess it wasn’t such a bad deal.
“I’m thinking of writing a book too,” Jack continues. “I’ve had enough experience to write a few, I think.”
I nod. “You’re a great writer. I’d read anything you wrote.”
There is a small pause. “It’s really nice to hear that,” he says.
Our food arrives, and while we eat, we talk about what his life will be like in LA. There’s an undercurrent of sadness in our conversation, but I choose not to dwell on it, concentrating instead on how change really was the only constant thing.
“I got an email today,” I mention, deciding to tell him about my invitation from the Gilt Review. “I have an interview with the Review. The strange thing is I didn’t reapply. Somehow, they responded to my application from two years ago.”
Jack raises an eyebrow, then chuckles. “I guess my mom really liked you.”
His mom? I remember that strange evening with Gertrude Weyland that ended with Jack trying to kiss me on the street. “What do you mean?”
“She’s been in talks to take over as the new editor of Review. She finally said yes, last week, I think. She’s been reviewing files from home. Maybe after talking to you she decided that she wanted to work with you.”
I shake my head. I’d thought his mother had a certain charm despite the weird relationship with her son. However, what would it be like to actually work for her? And was I sure I wanted to find out?
“Is that why you’re leaving Gilt?” I ask Jack. “You don’t want to work in the same building as your mother?”
He shrugs noncommittally. “Maybe.” After a pause, he continues. “So will you take the job if you get it?”
I think about it. “Most likely, though I don’t understand at all.” I give him a look. “Should I be worried?”
“Jessica Layner won’t want to let you go, but if she does, my mother would be a fool not to do everything to make sure you stay with her. You’re an asset at Traveler. You’ll be invaluable to Review and she’d be lucky to have you.”
I smile, touched by his encouragement. “Thanks.”