Page 83 of Between Hello and Goodbye

I nearly closed my eyes at the sudden pang in my heart for how much I missed my firefighter. Over the last two months, we’d tried to keep whatever we had alive with texts and phone calls, but it wasn’t working. Not being with him, not touching and kissing him, not seeing that adorable furrow in his brow when he was grumpy…it had taken a toll.

I didn’t think it’d be this hard.

Terrance sat back, laced his fingers over his Armani suit front. “So what do you say? Partner? It’s just sitting here, waiting for you.”

“It’s a generous offer, but—”

“I think you’re primed, Faith,” Terrance cut in. “You don’t have the burden of family obligations to weigh you down at this particular juncture in your career. I feel like I can give you every major account we have, and you’ll fly with it.”

“Right,” I said slowly, reading between the lines. “Because I’m so unattached.”

I had nothing tying me to anything, but if I made partner, I’d be tied to the agency. To Seattle. That was another annoying aspect to come out of Kauai. Seeing Asher’s beautiful family—one he and his brother made from scratch—was like shining a light on my own empty spaces. The relationship with my parents was nonexistent; I had no one to come home to…

Terrance frowned. “Do you still need to think about it?”

“What does Cynthia think?” I blurted. The agency’s other partner had been out of town again, this time in London, but suddenly, I really wanted to hear a boss-lady’s perspective. Cynthia Cross had a husband and three kids. Sounded like she had plenty of “family obligations” and still managed to make it work.

“She’s on board, of course.” Terrance held up a hand. “Go home. Get some rest. Come back on Monday and we’ll talk.”

I nodded and rose from the office. At the door, Terry’s stopped me.

“An award-winner, Faith.” He pointed at his monitor. “Mark my words.”

I smiled thinly and headed out. I sent Jess home and sat at my desk in my huge, empty office. Twilight was falling outside the massive windows, bathing Seattle in hues of orange and purple. Spires and towers of concrete as far as the eye could see. The urge to call Asher and hear his voice was overpowering. But a few days ago, he’d been called to the Big Island to deal with an erupting volcano.

I’d made an ad for snow pants.

He wins.

But Asher’s imagined voice followed on the heels of the thought, scolding me gently for being too hard on myself. For not giving myself enough credit for what I’d created. My win at my job wasn’t life or death, but it wasn’t nothing. I wanted to celebrate. Just a little.

Silas was on the East Coast on business, but it was Friday night. Viv was—or had been—always down to hang out, even if things between us had been strained lately. I grabbed my phone and sent a text.

Hey, Viv. I finished the ad. Could use some company,I sent andadded a few celebratory emojis.

I waited with my breath held. After returning to Seattle, we’d texted a few times, but they’d been tense and short. Viv still hadn’t forgiven me for skipping town without telling her. My work didn’t interest her in the slightest either, so she was constantly pissy with me that I’d been too busy to resume our normal nocturnal activities. But I couldn’t afford to lose work time to a hangover and wasn’t about to hook up with any man not named Asher Mackey.

The reply came a few moments later. Finally!Altura tonight?she sent, followed by champagne glasses.

I bit my lip.I’m dead tired. How about my place with a bottle of wine and a movie?

A pause and then,Booooring. Damn, girl. Talk to me when you’re ready to have an actual good time.A petulant text followed the first.Like you used to ****before**** you went to Hawaii.

I sighed and sat for long moments in the quiet. The entire agency was still, everyone having gone home for the day. The silence became unbearably loud. I picked up my phone again, and because I’d evidently lost my mind, I called my mother.

It went to voicemail.

“Hey, Mom,” I said haltingly. “It’s been a while and I… Well, I’ve got some good news at work and just wanted to share. Anyway, call me back when you have a sec. Love you.”

I hung up and touched my forehead to my desk. I hadn’t spoken to my mother in a meaningful way in more than a year and suddenly I was calling her for…what? Validation? Approval?

“Just go home,” I muttered.

I grabbed my purse and was about to shove my phone in it when it lit up with Asher’s name. I sank back down into my chair, my heart thudding loud and hard.

“Hey, you,” I answered. “How…how are you?”

“I’m good,” he said. “And I miss you.”