I must have become very good at acting like there was nothing wrong, because she couldn’t tell that with each word, I was breaking apart inside. I nodded. “I plan to.”
“So…don’t quote me, but I hear you’re being considered for a promotion.” She smiled at me. “How does senior editor sound?”
I tried to muster enthusiasm. “It sounds great.”
“I thought you’d be more excited.”
“I am.” I sighed. “I just have a lot on my mind.”
Candace peered at me. “Want to talk about it?”
I shook my head and crumpled my paper plate. “I gotta go,” I told her, giving her no time to ask any more questions. I went back to my office and buried myself in work.
The week went by painfully. On Thursday, I was still at work when Amy called. I hesitated to answer, unsure how to deal with her happiness when I was drowning in pain, but I missed her too much to resist an opportunity to talk to her.
“What’s up?” she chirped. “What’s going on?”
“You sound happy.”
She laughed. “Delirious.”
“Well, what’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing! Just having the best vacation of my life. We’re staying for one more week. Colin has some stuff to manage in the London office, but I’m enjoying myself.”
I felt like crying. “I’m glad. I miss you though.”
“I miss you too, but I know Jason is taking good care of you in my absence.” She laughed.
I was quiet.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I lied. “Everything’s fine. When will you be back?”
There was a pause on her side. “Definitely before next weekend. There’s the book launch, remember?”
“Yeah.” Some of Amy’s photography was being featured in a coffee table book along with works of some accomplished photographers. It was a career changer, and she was over the moon about it. “I’m looking forward to that.”
“Daphne,” Amy said softly. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” I forced a smile into my voice. “I might be getting promoted at work.”
The distraction worked, and we spent the rest of the call talking about my possible promotion.
After I ended the call, I went to my voice messages and started to play my old ones from Jason. I was fast becoming addicted to listening to his voice telling me he loved me. It was dangerous, especially since I had no idea what was going on between us.
I called his number, and my call went straight to voicemail.
I called his office, and after a few rings, someone picked up.
“Jason Wild’s office.”
“Hello.” I paused. I’d never had to call him through his office before. “This is Daphne Bird calling to speak with Jason.”
“May I ask what your call is regarding?”
“It’s a personal matter.”