“Hey, is this her?” Jed asks as he comes around the corner and stops.
“Sure is. Jed, this is Anna. Anna, this is Jed.”
“Hi,” I say giving him a pleasant grin.
Dash sets his coffee on the desk behind him and wraps his arm around my waist. The thought that he's been talking about me to one of his friends at work makes my heart flutter. It's like he sees us as more than just roommates who hook up. Like I'm his girlfriend, and we're a couple.
“Is she excited?”
I look between them. “Excited for what?”
“I haven't told her yet.” Dash's fingers circle around the small of my back.
“Told me what?” My eyes steady on his as I quirk a brow. “What's going on?”
“Well. . .” Dash smiles as he lets his eyes roam the large office. “Welcome to your new job.”
My jaw drops open as my head tips to the side. “My what?”
What the hell is he talking about? My new job?
“I thought a lot about what you said about not waiting and doing what I want to. And you're right. My sister is getting better. She'll be home soon, I'm sure. And you need a job, it only makes sense.”
“I—I'm sorry. I'm confused. How can you just give me your job? Don't I need to see your boss, fill out an application, have an interview. . .” I furrow my brows, my mouth knitting down into a light frown. “You can't just give it to me without any of that.”
“I can when my boss is a good friend of mine.” Dash's eyes drift to the man leaning against the desk. “So, Jed, what do you think?”
“Wait,” I say, holding out my hand. “You're his boss?”
“I sure am. Dash explained everything to me, and seeing as how I'd rather not go through all the stuff you listed, the job is yours. Besides, I trust Dash, he knows people. I know he wouldn't ask this and put his name on the line if you weren't capable.”
“Okay, so let me get this straight.” I take a step back so I can look at both men. “You're going to leave your job, because I said you should,” I pause and turn to Jed. “And you're just going to hire me because Dash is vouching for me?”
“Basically,” Jed says. “My father owns the place. I run the business and do a lot of work around the warehouse. I'm not really an office guy, and I'd rather not have to spend hours searching for someone to fill Dash's spot.”
Dash smirks as he nods in agreement. “You nailed it. It's perfect. We both win.”
My heart sinks as I picture myself saying goodbye to him. I don't want him to leave. I know what I said, but now I regret every word. I've enjoyed being with him. I've enjoyed sitting with him at night, eating dinner and watching old horror movies.
“You're leaving?”
“Yeah, I'm going to call today for my tickets and try to get a flight in next couple weeks to Peru. I'm going to train you for Jed, and then I'm gone.”
I stand silently, plucking at my bottom lip anxiously. “What about your sister?”
“Don't worry about the rent and stuff. I'm going to pay in advance so you'll be all set until Betty can get home. I'm not going to leave you high and dry.”
“I don't know what to say.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I hold myself protectively.
Dash's eyes flick between mine. “You don't sound happy. I thought you'd be excited and relieved to have a new job.”
“Dash, this isn't what I meant when I said that to you yesterday. I mean, I did, but I didn't think it would be this soon.”
“Why shouldn't it be this soon?” he asks.
“I don't know.” My eyes start to well up, but I don't want to cry here right now. I dart my eyes away, and suck in a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Alright, well I should get going. I'll let you get back to work.”
I back away from him, and turn quickly to leave. Dash says something, but my heart is beating so loudly, and my mind is rolling with a million thoughts, I can't hear him.
I'm not even sure I'd listen if I could. I said what I said because I want him to follow his dreams, and do the things that will make him happy. And in the same breath, I don't. I want more time with him. I want to keep this feeling that he gives me alive.
If Dash leaves, I might not ever see him again. He might meet someone else. He might fall in love with some girl he meets in a small village while he's traveling. The thought kills me. It makes my chest hurt and my stomach crumble like brittle limestone.