Page 140 of Icebound Hearts
“Sure, come on in.” She closes her laptop so I close the door and sit down across from her. Her expression is neutral, but there’s a tiny line between her eyebrows that tells me she knows something is up. My heart rate is picking up a bit with nerves, so I take another deep breath and smooth my hands over my legs.
“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to say it. I need to give you my resignation notice, effective immediately.”
Michelle’s brows shoot up her forehead. “Whoa. What’s going on? Are you unhappy?”
“No, no. Not at all. I love this company and love working here.”
Her brows stitch back together, and she leans forward slightly in her seat. “Then what’s the problem?”
There’s no point in lying or beating around the bush. Anything I could make up probably wouldn’t convince her anyway, especially not after what I just told her about loving working here. So I smile at her and let it all come out.
“Honestly, I unexpectedly fell in love with a guy back in Denver while I was living there. It wasn’t supposed to happen, and we kept telling each other it was just going to be temporary, but I guess I didn’t realize just how attached I’d gotten to him until I moved here. It’s been really difficult being apart. I want to be closer to him, so I’m moving back to Denver.”
Michelle nods, pursing her lips. “I see. Well, obviously I’m disappointed to lose you, but I understand. Are you sure this is what you want to do though? I could see you having a great career at Creative Reach, with a lot of opportunities for growth.”
“Maybe it sounds crazy, but I’m more sure of this than anything else I’ve ever done,” I tell her, and her serious expression softens into a smile.
“Alright, then. I’ll talk to HR and make sure everything gets processed. But I hope you know the door is always open here for you if you change your mind or find yourself on the job market again.”
“Thanks, Michelle. That means a lot. I really appreciate you taking a chance on me, and I don’t want you to think I’m anything other than grateful. I’ve loved working here.”
“It’s been a pleasure. Whoever snaps you up next is damn lucky.”
“Thanks,” I say, fighting the blush that’s rising up my cheeks. Michelle stands, so I follow her lead and she steps around the desk to give me a hug.
“Good luck with everything. I’m happy for you. Let me know if you ever need a reference or anything, I’d be happy to help.”
“Thanks. I don’t know what else to say.”
Michelle waves me away. “There’s nothing else to say. Do you want to finish out the rest of the day, or do you need the time to start planning? Your choice.”
“This all happened pretty quickly, so I think I need the time.”
“Fine by me. Take your time gathering up your stuff. Just leave your keys on the desk when you’re ready. And make sure you stop to say goodbye on your way out.”
“I will, I promise.”
Michelle smiles at me again, then retakes her seat at her desk. I see myself out and go back to my office to pack up my things. I haven’t been working here for very long so there isn’t much to gather. My hands are a little shaky with nerves about what I just did, but my heart knows it was the right move. I’m sure I can find work in Denver, especially if I lean into Reese’s connections. He’s going to be as excited as a little kid when he finds out I’m coming back for good, and I’m pretty excited about the idea too.
With all my things ready to go, I put my office keys on the desk like Michelle asked and step out of the office one last time. Michelle’s already in the lobby waiting for me by the receptionist’s desk, probably because she knew I wouldn’t take long. She smiles bittersweetly at me when I approach. We say our final goodbyes and I leave the office feeling just as bittersweet as her smile.
I drive back to my apartment in a bit of a daze. With every mile I drive closer to the apartment, the more real everything feels.
I just quit my job. Holy shit.
The thought repeats in my head like a song I can’t shake, but it’s not because I regret it. I’m more surprised with myself than anything. I’ve never really been the type of person to do something on a whim like this, but I wasn’t lying when I told Michelle I was more sure of the decision than anything else I’ve ever done. I can’t stomach the idea of tearing Sawyer and Jake away from their home any more than I can stomach the idea of being apart from the two of them, so this is the only option.
I pull into the parking lot for the apartment complex and drive around to my unit, smiling and feeling at peace—until I spot Sawyer sitting on the stoop by my door. Confused, I park in a hurry and rush over to him. He looks just as confused as I feel, and he stands to meet me. We hug and he squeezes me before I pull back.
“What are you doing here? Don’t you have practice? Did you miss your flight?”
“I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I can’t let you go again, not until I’m sure I won’t lose you,” he says, and my heart clenches.
“You don’t have to. I just quit my job.”
Sawyer’s jaw drops and he stares at me for a second with his hands gripping my elbows as he processes what I said. Finally, he shakes his head. “No. No, no, no. I never meant for you to do that.”
“I know you didn’t, but I made the choice. There’s no other way for this to work. I can’t stand the idea of taking you and Jake away from Denver and the lives you have there?—”