Page 19 of Making Home with You

“Thank you,” I respond, but I feel my heart rate increase and palms begin to sweat.Who calls only minutes after an interview?This is either a really good thing or a really bad thing.I’m praying for the former.

“I’d like to offer you the job as my assistant.”

“Okay,” I say, but my voice shakes a little and I’m not sure I’m articulating exactly what I should be.

“Okay, so you’ll take the job?”

“Yes, absolutely yes.”My voice is high and I’m not paying attention to what I’m doing and I blow past my exit.“Shit,” I mumble and quickly apologize.“Sorry, sorry, Mr.McGuire.I’m just so excited and I missed my exit.”

“No problem, Sarah,” he says, but his tone is coming across far less formal than it did at the beginning of the call.“I think we’re going to get along really well.”And this time, I swear I hear more of a seductive tone to his voice and it makes me shudder a bit.I really can’t imagine someone in the role he’s in being anything but professional, so I brush it off.

“Okay,” I say.“When do you need me to start?”

He laughs a little and says, “Tomorrow, but not really.Honestly, a week from Monday.You’ll be getting an email with your offer letter and your benefits package.If everything looks good, just e-sign it and send it back.If there’s anything you would like negotiate on, salary, vacation time, whatever, just let me know and I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Oh, I don’t think there will be any issue, but I’ll take a look and get back to you soon.”

“Sounds good.I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, and Mr.McGuire, thank you so much for this opportunity.I promise, you will not be disappointed.”

“I’m certain I won’t, Sarah.”

As soon as I hang up I call Finn.

“I thought I told you I was busy?”he questions with a humorous tone to his voice.

“No you didn’t,” I shoot back.“You just sounded distracted.Never mentioned that you were busy.”

“Well, I am,” he says and I giggle.“Fuck, even over the phone you’re sexy as hell.Everything okay?”

“Great, actually.Guess what?”

“What, Sarah,” he says playfully.

“I got the job!”I practically scream down the phone, so excited and I know it’s finally settling in as I say the words out loud.

“Oh my god, baby, that’s so awesome.Congratulations,” he says and I can almost picture the smile on his face.“We’re going to celebrate tonight.”

“Sounds amazing,” I say, and I can’t stop the smile that forms on my mouth.“I need to get something to wear.I have like three outfits.I borrowed something from Erin to wear to the interview and pretty much everything I brought with me is dirty.”

“You know, I do have a washing machine and one of those clothes dryers,” Finn says, sarcastically.

“You’re cheeky,” I respond back, playfully.“Not sure if you know this or not, but girls like to shop.”

“I’ll see you soon, baby.”

“Yay!”I yell just as Finn is about to hang up and I hear him laugh.This day couldn’t get any better.

Next, I call Erin and tell her the great news and she suggests we have dinner tonight to celebrate.It’s already getting late, as my commute back is taking longer than I thought, and Erin says she’ll call Beck, Kelsey and Finn and invite them for dinner.I give her the okay, but let her know I’m still an hour outside of Rockport.

When I pull in the driveway, Beck’s SUV is already parked on the street outside Erin and Ryan’s house, but Finn’s is nowhere to be seen and I begin to wonder if he’s not going to be here.I know his job keeps him at the station late, but I thought he’d want to celebrate with everyone too.

As I’m exiting my car, he pulls up behind me, parking in the driveway.

“Sarah,” he calls, but his voice is quieter, nearly a whisper.He jogs up the driveway and in the dim house lights, he pulls me in for a kiss, whispering, “Congratulations, I’m really proud of you.”

“Thank you.”