Page 120 of September

“No. They want me to travel a lot, and I don’t want that. I wouldn’t have either way, but I just met my–” Juliet paused and smiled. “Gwen. I just met Gwen, and I don’t want the first year of our relationship to be by FaceTime because I’m gone all the time. I feel like a weakling because I don’t want to travel like this, missing my girlfriend and my dog.”

The woman’s smile widened, and she said, “Your dog? That’s how you met Gwen.”

“She was my pet sitter,” Juliet confirmed and shook her head in disbelief.

“Then, this was all supposed to happen how it has happened,” the woman replied. “You needed to take this job to meet her. Now, you can make a change.”

“I can?”

“Yes, you can. And you should.”

“Because the spirits are telling you that it’s right?”

“I don’t know how I know what I know these days, but I know it like I know that I’m an old lady who loves this city.” The woman nodded. “Now, turn around and get your coffee. It’s time to go.”

Juliet turned around and saw the roaster staring at her, waiting for her to place her order.

“Oh. Hey, Juliet,” he said. “Usual?”

“Yes, please,” she replied. “Wait. Can I have an extra shot of espresso? I think I’ll need it.”

???

“You’ve got this. Eye of the tiger and all that,” Molly said as she massaged Juliet’s shoulders.

“Molls, I’m not going into the big game. I’m just talking to my boss.”

“It’s a big deal, though. I’m being supportive.”

“Be supportive at your own desk,” Juliet replied.

“Oh, hey,” Finley said as she approached their cubicles and eyed Molly’s hands on Juliet’s shoulders.

Molly stopped rubbing instantly and took a big step back. Juliet smiled and wanted to laugh, but she held it in because she knew Finley would ask her what she was laughing at, and her mind was too focused on work to come up with a good lie for that.

“Hey, Finley,” Juliet greeted.

“She’s just about to go into an important meeting. I was being supportive,” Molly explained.

Finley nodded before she looked at Juliet and said, “I got tickets to the game in a few weeks, if you want to go with me. Against Tampa Bay. They’re not great, but not nosebleeds this time. I got a great deal on six of them.”

“Yeah, maybe. Can I ask my girlfriend if she wants to go? I’ll buy the tickets off you, obviously.”

Finley looked behind her and at Molly then.

“Gwen,” Juliet added, realizing her mistake. “That’s my girlfriend. I’m taken. Very taken… with Gwen. Her name is Gwen. She doesn’t work here.”

Molly cleared her throat, and Juliet shut up.

“Sure. I’ve got five extras,” Finley replied. “Molls? Want to go this time, maybe?”

“To a Saints’ game?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait. You said you havefiveextras. India isn’t going?” Juliet checked. “Still giving you a hard time about not liking football?”

“Um… India and I aren’t… We’re not together anymore, so no, she won’t be going.”