3
Rob
There are three important things you need to know about Amelia Ortega.
She's extremely competent. She might not get her expense reports filed on time, and her desk is always a disaster, but if there is a problem, Mel will solve it. She's rock solid like that.
She's beautiful in a soft and understated kind of way. If I walked into a bar and Mel was there, she might not be the first woman who catches my eye. (That's because I can be a shallow, superficial twat.) But I also know that it would be impossible to look away when I notice her.
But the most important thing about Mel is that I trust her. And I'm a cynical asshole who trusts no one.
Which is why I'm sitting here, practically reeling with shock.
“You accepted another job offer? Who with?”
She tilts her head to one side. Her eyes flash with fire for an instant. I’m waiting for her to tell me it's none of my business, but she doesn't. “The Tremaine Group,” she says instead.
Tremaine? Well, at least it's not a direct competitor. Yes, Tremaine is in the hospitality industry, as are we, but our customers don't overlap.
Not that any of that matters right now. I’m doing what I always do—focusing on practicalities to avoid thinking about my emotions.
West is also trying hard not to look upset, but he’s only partially succeeding. “I didn't realize you were looking. Are you unhappy here, Mel?”
She fiddles with her nails. She doesn't look at either of us. “It’s not that,” she murmurs. “I've always been extremely happy at Fontaine & Yarrow. I’ve learned so much here. And you've been really good to me.” She straightens her shoulders. “I guess I'm just ready for a change.”
My mouth finally forms words. “What’s the offer?” I contemplate the idea of coming to work every day, to an office that doesn't have Mel in it, and my mind recoils from that possibility. “Give us a chance to counter it.”
She shakes her head. “I'm sorry,” she whispers. “I’ve made my decision. This is the right move for me.”
Fine. If she’s leaving, she's leaving. Yes, I can't believe it. An office without Mel in it. . . this feels like a loss, but I’m being ridiculous. I'm not the sentimental sort. I don't hold on to people.
West is still looking betrayed, but somebody here has to be practical. “When do you start at Tremaine?” I ask. “When’s your last day? You'll have to let us take you out for lunch. It’s the least we can do.”
My chest feels tight. It’s probably indigestion. I shouldn't have eaten a donut for breakfast. Serves me right. Kale smoothies for me for the rest of the month.
“About that,” Mel starts. Her fingers worry at her nails. She told me she used to bite them when she was younger. Nowadays, instead of chewing on them, she fiddles. When she thinks or when she problem-solves, but above all when she’s stressed.
“I start in a month,” she says nervously. “But I was hoping to take a couple of weeks of vacation before I start.” She attempts a small smile. “Use up some of my frequent flyer points. This is my two weeks’ notice.”
What? We’re going to be in Korea for the next two weeks. If this is Mel's two-week notice, then her last day is Friday, fourteen days from now.
And we don't get back to New York until that Sunday.
This is it. Mel is about to walk out of our lives. And fuck me, but I'm going to miss her.
This could be an opportunity, a voice inside me whispers. You're attracted to her. If she no longer works for you, you could ask her out.
Except I know I won’t. I don't date. I don't do relationships. After the way I was brought up, I don't form relationships with people. I don't put them in a position where they can hurt me. I don't form attachments.
The women I go out with are not looking for anything serious. At least, not from me. I don’t lie to them; I’m always honest about what I can and cannot offer. I always end things before it has the potential to become something deeper.
But I couldn't do that to her. Mel deserves so much more than I have to give.
West takes a deep breath, and he seems to collect himself. “I hardly know what to say. If this is really what you want to do. . .” He gives a small shake of his head. “Mel, thank you for everything. Since the day you got here, you’ve always done an amazing job. If things don't go as planned with Tremaine, I want you to know that you always have a home at Fontaine & Yarrow.”
Her voice is so quiet I can barely hear it. “Thank you, West.”
She says something else, but I don’t hear it. There’s only one thought running through my head, and it’s drowning out everything else. This is it. This is goodbye.
There are days when the pressure of my job gets to be too much. Days when the ghosts of my past rear their ugly heads.
On those days, I head to the racetrack to burn off the excess tension. I lose myself in mindless speed.
I feel a sharp desire to be inside my car right now. Drive so fast that my entire focus needs to be on the road ahead of me.
This time, the racetrack won’t be enough.