Wilted (10 page)

“Hello, Miss Reynolds, I’m Cara Michaels and this is John Townsend. We’re the co-founders of Telko.”

I’m still in shock over the fact they’d called me into this conference room alone.
Did I already fuck something up and they’re sending me back to Austin early?

“It’s so nice to finally meet the both of you. I really appreciate the opportunity to work here with the branch for the next eight weeks.” Extending my hand, I politely shake both of their hands.

“Ms. Reynolds, I’m sure you’re wondering why we asked you to join us for this meeting. John and I have been watching you for a long time now. Since you started interning, as a matter of fact. You continue to impress us, to say the least.”

“Oh, well, thank you both so much.”
Whew, so they don’t hate me.

“John and I both feel that you would be perfect for a lead associate position here in our LA office.”

“But I thought this was just a temporary position.”

“Well, at first, maybe it was temporary, but you’ve more than proven yourself. We think you’d be a huge asset to our company. It would mean moving out here, of course, but we will be more than happy to get you set up in one of our larger condos.”

“Condo?”

“Yes. It’s just one of the many benefits we offer in the packages for our top employees. You’ll be much more comfortable in one of those than where you are now.” Smiling, she hands me a shiny vinyl, company folder over to me.

Once I open it, I’m floored by the salary they’re offering. Holy fuck me! This is at least three times what I make now.

“You’ll find we offer very competitive salaries here at Telko. We take care of our employees.”

“I guess I’m just in shock. I wasn’t expecting this when I came here.”

Both of them laugh at my words and then Cara speaks again. “We understand you might want some time to think about this. How about you let us know when you decide? We’ll need to know something by next week so we can make all the necessary arrangements.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you again so very much,” I reply standing. Shaking their hands once more, I leave the office with my mind racing.

I want to call Skylar to help me make sense of all this, but she has her event tonight. I don’t want to bother her with my shit.
Can I really do this?
Living in LA is supposed to be temporary. I just don’t know if I can up and move across the country permanently. Fuck, I’m never good with decisions. They’re going to want their answer soon, and I won’t know what to tell them.

When lunch time comes, I haven’t gotten much of anything done for thinking about the job offer. Perhaps if I get out of here, I can calm my head enough to think. As I step inside the coffee shop, the delicious scent of sweet mocha and chocolate greets me. Smelling it only makes me crave my favorite caramel Frappuccino that much more. Maybe it’s fattening, but who gives a fuck? I’m not going to become like all the other women here and freak out over a few pounds here and there.

Once I pay for my drink and chicken salad sandwich, I settle in at a little table in the back. Taking a sip, I close my eyes and try to think out my decision.
Do I really want to uproot everything and move to work across the country?
Why not? My best friend is gone for God knows how long, and it’s not as if Nik plays any part in my decision to stay here. But then again, I have my parents to consider. They support me in my decisions, but I don’t think they will be able to handle me moving to LA. It was hard enough for my dad to accept my moving to the city in the first place.

E News
is playing on the flat screen TV on the wall, captivating my attention. I always love watching the show to see what trouble celebrities get themselves into. One Hollywood actor has just come out of rehab and has been arrested once again for drugs. Another famous couple is getting a divorce. Taking another drink, I continue listening to the television.

“Looks like Victoria Secret’s newest angel may have found love. These two were reportedly hot and heavy at last night’s charity event in New York. Nikolas Thorne, a well-known restaurant entrepreneur, has quite the reputation with the ladies. Friends close to the angel say the two were spotted again this morning, leaving her apartment.”

Jumping up from the table, I knock over my drink as I steady myself. I don’t even bother cleaning up the mess because I’m too paralyzed by the picture of Nik on the television screen. Looking as hot as ever in a fancy suit, he’s standing next to a blonde bombshell who’s practically hugging his hip. My eyes zone in on how he’s looking at her. He looks so damn happy.
Did he ever look at me like that?
The massive smile on his handsome face tells me all I need to know. He’s not missing me one little bit. Besides, there’s no way in fuck I can compete with that anyways. With tears in my eyes, I run out of the coffee shop before I lose it in front of everyone. Cars honk their horns as traffic goes by. All the sounds blend together as I cross the busy intersection. Frantically, I push through the crowded sidewalk, ducking back into the foyer of Telko’s office building when it finally comes into view.

My decision’s just been made.

Fuck Nikolas Thorne. Fuck my life!

I’m moving to Los Angeles.

“Is this the last box?” asks Daddy as he hands it off to one of the movers.

“Yeah, that’s the last of it.” Looking around my empty apartment makes me sad. I’ve lived here for a couple of years, and over time, grew fond of the cramped space.

“Are you sure about this?” Mom asks, wrapping her arms around me. I have the best parents in the whole world. Like any other time I’ve needed them, they dropped everything and came to help me move.

“I’m sure,” I reply, unconvinced myself of the words.

“You know, Kylie, just because things didn’t work out with Nik, doesn’t mean you have to move across the country.”

I place my hand on hers and look out the living room window. I’ll miss Austin, that’s for sure. It’s my home. Problem is, the town isn’t big enough for both Nik’s love life and mine, or lack thereof. There’s no way I can stay.

“This is an excellent job opportunity for me, Mom. People in the marketing business wait years and years for a chance like this. I’d be insane to turn it down. Breaking up with Nik made me see everything more clearly, is all. I’m not moving because of him. I’m moving because of this job.”

“Honey, I-”

I stop her. “Mom, I can’t do this. Not now.”

“But Kylie, I know you’re hurting. I know you loved him.”

Her words halt me mid-step. Of course, I loved him. I still love him. The stupid fucker had made me do the one thing I said I’d never do again. Trust. I believed in something that isn’t meant for me, and this is what I get, what I deserve.

“None of that matters now. It’s over. He made that perfectly clear, Mom.” I never told my parents the whole story of the breakup, just the parts of us not seeing eye to eye on our future. Honestly, it’s the truth. I want kids one day. He doesn’t. Better we learn that now, even if I’d learned it the hard way.

“Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of your face, until it isn’t there. When it’s gone, then we really see it for what it was.”

“This wasn’t a fairy tale, Mom. Not everyone has the perfect prince charming like you have in Daddy.”

Her hysterical laughter catches me off guard. “Whatever made you think he’s perfect? None of us are, Kylie. Not me, not you, and especially not your daddy. I like to think we women are much closer to being perfect though. God did fix his first model, ya know?”

I laugh. My mom always could put humor in explaining life to me. It’s the only way anything has ever made sense to me.

“You always told me how you met Daddy when you guys were young, and how he’d been your Prince Charming.”

“That was a bedtime story, baby. Not the real world. Sure, your daddy is a wonderful man and I adore him, but trust me, he’s made an ass of himself on numerous occasions over the years.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes. There were times he’d get so mad, he’d go back to his parent’s house for a night or two. We always made it right in the end though. Really most of the time we fought, we’d both been wrong. It’s just setting aside enough of your pride to admit that. Once you can look to yourself and see blame, you can see forgiveness.”

“I don’t think I can ever forgive him, Mom.”

She brings me back into her arms and rocks me, stroking my hair with her hand. “Forgiveness comes with time, baby. Maybe you’ll forgive him, and maybe you won’t. If it’s meant to be, it will all work out. You have to stop looking for it to happen and make it happen. When you love someone, you always leave a special part in your heart open for them. It’s why we never forget our first true love. They stay etched in our hearts forever.”

“Oh, Mom, I love him.” I cry into her shoulder.

“Shh. I know you do, baby.”

“He doesn’t love me. He never did.”

Pulling me away, she frowns. She’d been around Nik many times since we’d been together.

“I have news for you, young lady. That boy is head over heels in love with you. Maybe he doesn’t want to admit that, but he is. I’m not blind. I saw the way he looks at you. You can deny your heart for only so long until it demands the truth.”

“What if it never happens?”

“Then he’s a stupid punk boy who I’d better not ever see again.”

Her threat makes me giggle. Truth be known, I believe her this time. As much as she’s seen me cry over him, she just might give him the ass whipping he deserves.

“I love you, Mom.”

“And I love you, baby girl. Now, let’s go make your daddy take us out for supper.”

“Give me just a minute, okay?” I ask, releasing her hand.

She nods in understanding. “I’ll wait downstairs for you. Take your time.”

I give the apartment one last look-over before sliding the key off the keychain. Placing it on the granite kitchen bar, I feel the tears.

“Goodbye, Austin. Goodbye, Nik.”

Closing the door behind me, I take the first step out of my past, towards my future. A future without Nikolas Thorne.

NIKOLAS

“What do you mean she’s moved to Los Angeles?” I scream at my assistant and best friend, Tony, through the phone. Kylie and I’d discussed her taking a job out there, but I’d let her know I didn’t like the idea. I’m not trying to hold her back in her career. Deep down, I know this all is about Evan Pierce working his way into the picture. It fucking pisses me off that she can’t see that for herself.

“Calm down! I’m only relaying what Carlee told me when we had lunch today.” Carlee is the head receptionist at Telko, as well as Tony’s fuck buddy.

“When did she leave?”

“Last week, I think. Carlee told me that the main branch in LA offered her a huge promotion. I think that Evan prick got a promotion, too. He’s moving out there in a couple of weeks.”

Fuck! That fucking son of a bitch!

“Nik? You still there? Nik?”

“Um, yeah. Sorry. None of this makes any sense to me.”

“Dude, look, I hated to tell you, but I thought you’d want to know. I mean I would want to know if the girl I loved up and moved across the country.”

“What she does is her choice. I certainly don’t give a shit. And as far as love? I never loved her, Tony. She was just an easy piece of ass.” I lie. Honestly, I don’t know why I even bother. My friend knows me better than that.