Page 58 of The Best Number
I fling my body back in the chair with a sigh. “Fuck,” I whisper. Cassidy rises from her chair, rounding the desk to come and rest on it, between my splayed legs.
“Thank you for being honest with us.” Her hand cups my cheek, her head tilted to the side as she smiles at me. “I know it wasn’t easy, but I appreciate you opening up. And I know that Tom does, too.”
I close my eyes, replaying the moment he told me he loved me. “I guess I suspected he had feelings for me, Cass. But I didn’t know he actually loved me. What am I going to do?” My eyes open.
“You don’t have to do anything other than be yourself, Jack.”
“I don’t even know what love is. When I thought I had it before, it was all just a lie.”
“I know how that feels. But there’s no rush. We’re exactly where we need to be,” Cassidy offers quietly. I lean forward, tugging her closer for a hug. And as she squeezes me tightly, I can breathe again.It’s all going to be okay. We’ll figure it out as we go.
Chapter twenty-six
Jack
I’m sure it’s been a day and a half and it’s only lunchtime. Work is manic and I’ve got a dreaded ‘Quick Chat’ meeting entry with my boss that’s appeared in my calendar coming up very soon.Why couldn’t he determine in the invite if it’s a good chat or a bad one, for fuck’s sake?
I eat a sandwich at my desk while trying to clear my heaving inbox.Why has everyone decided this week is the one when they need to ask me forty questions? My phone has been repeatedly buzzing and I decide to take a breather from the crazy emails to take a peek at the group chat with Tom and Cass.
As usual, they have me beaming with their innuendo and flirting. Just as I’m about to reply with my best witty response to their jokes, I see a notification come through on the company’s messaging system from Duncan. I can’t see much apart from the first couple of words: ‘Good News’. I navigate out of the group chat to see what he’s saying. That’s all it says. And there’s a photo of him attached where he’s trying to hold up the Statue of Libertyin the palm of his hand. I don’t have time to reply because the notification bell dings to tell me I’m expected in my boss's office right now.
I take one last bite of my sandwich before chucking the empty packaging in the bin. Pull up my camera app in selfie mode to check I don’t have any food around my mouth or between my teeth, chug down some water and then get up from my desk. I stride over to his office and chap lightly on the door. He smiles up at me, which I take to be a good sign, before inviting me in.
Half an hour later, I’m back at my desk, in a state of shock. The New York office want me. And they want me as soon as possible. It had all gone quiet for a while and I assumed it wasn’t happening. But suddenly it’s all moving so much quicker than I thought possible. My boss has been negotiating with them to try and get as much time with me to finish up and hand over projects here before I head over. They’ve all just assumed I’m taking the job. I put my name and CV forward, after all.
He told me I’ve got a call with them in an hour to formally offer me the transfer and confirm the details. He’s asked that I hold them to the two weeks' notice they’ve agreed with him. And he wishes me well. He told me he hopes he’ll see me back here after the contract finishes, as I’m one of the best damn business strategists he’s got. But he understands I want to travel, spread my wings, and get some New York experience on my CV.
I’m sitting here feeling one hundred things at once. My mind whirls with thought after thought. Excitement at the opportunity. Pride for the awesome work I’ve put in which meant my boss gave me a shining recommendation when they asked. But then comes the confusion. And a twinge in my chest as I think about Tom and Cassidy. I’m going to miss them.We were just getting started. I told them everything about the past. It felt like we were becoming a real thing. And now this.Am I doing the right thing, as things are just starting to come together for the three of us? And how the hell am I going to tell them?
Chapter twenty-seven
Tom
Ihave a rare Friday night off. Abby wanted to swap shifts so she could get a long weekend off soon to go away. I’m at a loose end and texted Cassidy earlier to see what her plans are. Thankfully, she took pity on me and invited me over.
After she lets me in the main entrance, I jog up the stairs to her floor. She has the door open before I get to it, waiting with a big grin on her face.
“Hey,” she says as I kiss her and enter her flat.
“Hey, yourself.”
“So, a Friday night off? How does that feel?” Her voice sounds teasing.
“It’s weird. But Abby is doing well in the assistant manager role and she’s eager for more responsibility. Her stepping up these last few months is allowing me more freedom than I’ve had in a long time.”
“I think it’s a good thing, Tom. I know the bar means a lot to you, but it’s awesome to have staff you trust so you can take time off every now and again.”
She leads me over to the couch, where we both sit next to each other.
“How’s the book going? Are you close to being finished?”
“Actually, I’m so glad you’re free because we are celebrating. I typedThe Endabout an hour ago. And there’s something else too—my divorce papers came through. It’s all finalised.”
“Wow, well done with the book, Cassidy. I’m so proud of you. How are you feeling about the divorce?”
“So glad it’s done. Lessons learnt for sure. Now I can finally close that part of my life for good and move on.”
“I’m happy for you.” I scoop her into a hug, which ends up being a long, hot kiss. “How shall we celebrate?” I ask when we’re both panting and breathless.