Page 127

“And it worked out perfectly. Otherwise, you never would’ve planned Darlene’s funeral, and I never would’ve been introduced to you!”

“And I never would have even considered event planning as an option for me. Or realized it’s something I really like doing.”

“How weird was it to get Darlene’s request?”

“Well, first I thought she wanted to just pre-plan arrangements for when she’s gone. It’s not uncommon. But then she told me she wanted to have her funeral in two months and she wanted to attend. And I was thinking, do I have to call a mental health professional or something?”

Megan laughs. “Iconic.”

“It sure was.”

“All jokes aside, I want you to know that I understand that starting a new job can be scary, so whenever you need something or feel unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I scratch my jaw. “Actually, I do have a question. What’s the dress code?”

Megan looks me up and down. “What you’re wearing now is fine. Whatever you’re comfortable in, as long as it’s not inappropriate. We dress up slightly when we meet with clients, and if we attend the events, then we obviously dress accordingly.”

“That makes sense.”

“And you said you were moving in the next few days? So how about you start the week after? Does that work for you?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Relief floods through me. I was worried I’d have to start my first day on the new job the same day that I move, and I wasn’t quite sure how that was going to work. I didn’t want to make any requests; I would’ve rolled with whatever start date Megan decided.

“Feel free to text me if you have any questions over the next few days. But I’m very excited to have you.” She claps her hands, and I take that as a sign that the meeting is over.

“I will. And I’m excited to start. Thank you again for the opportunity.”

“I hope you still thank me when you’re dealing with your first bridezilla.”

My eyes widen, and she laughs.

“I’m kidding. Sort of. Most people are nice. Don’t worry.”

She stands up, and I follow her lead.

“Well, I can’t wait.”

“That’s the spirit,” Megan says, leading me out of the room.

I’m in a better mood for most of the day. I go to the florist to pick out flowers for myself, because I deserve them. Then I grab lunch and call my mom to tell her about the job.

Am I still stressed about the move? Sure.

Do I miss my boyfriend? Absolutely.

Am I still anxious about the new job? Unfortunately.

But the meeting went well, and I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life. The summer started with me feeling stuck in my job and life, accompanied by a deep sense of inadequacy and fear. And now I’m ending the summer feeling confident about what I want in the future. I never would’ve thought in a million years that all the pieces in my life would come together within the span of three months.

Now, if Hayden were here, everything would be perfect.

I don’t text him after the meeting, but I get a message from him early in the afternoon.

Hayden: How was it?

I don’t reply. I don’t know why, but it seems wrong to talk to him about my new life. One that he might not be a part of for much longer. It’s easier to send silly texts back and forth. I can’t seem to end it, but I also keep pushing him away. I think about that phone call again, when I almost told him that I can’t go on like this.