Page 19 of The Last Key (Baker Girls #2)
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
KENNEDY
Monday
After a weekend spent in bed, enjoying good food, annoying Justin, and being fawned over by Devon’s mom, we’re on our way to the inn to start the week, and sipping on lattes Devon made before we left the house.
This whole me making breakfast, him making coffee thing is the perfect balance.
Adding sex makes things even better. It has me thinking about what he said on Friday.
I can’t believe it’s only been a few days.
It feels like forever. Maybe because so much of our relationship is rooted in a beautiful friendship.
Which is the reason I’m thinking about what he said about wanting me to stay.
My plan was to go back to New York and look for a job, but even before Devon and I finally crossed the line, I had decided to stay here longer.
There’s something about Brighton that’s pulling me in, but I’m not sure if it’s just the break from my usual reality.
Devon being here, of course, also plays into what I do from now on, and I’m starting to wonder if I want to go back to New York or look for a job in San Francisco, instead.
Claire might have some connections. Or maybe I should consider somewhere else entirely.
Somewhere Devon and I could go together.
If he’d be open to that. Maybe it’s too soon to think about it, but it’s on my mind, regardless.
“Ready for the day?” Devon asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I chuckle at that. “Yeah. I’m ready for Gladys to give us her most knowing smile.”
“Yeah, she’s been hoping for this for a while.”
“I think everyone has.”
My phone rings, startling me, and I look down at it. Seeing a New York number I don’t recognize, my brow furrows. It could be spam, but since it’s my area code, I answer.
“Hello, this is Kennedy Baker.”
Devon laughs at my formality, so I smack his stomach.
He turns up the drive to the inn as a familiar voice says, “Hi, Kennedy. This is Eric Williams.” My former editor at the job I was laid off from last week.
“Uh, hi, Eric. How are you?”
“I’m good. And you?”
“Good, thanks.”
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m calling. I’d hoped HR would’ve reached out to you, but apparently, they didn’t.”
“Uh, no.”
“It turns out you weren’t the first to file a report against Mike Hunt.
They investigated and quickly found several other situations in which he’d been inappropriate with staff.
He’s been let go, along with a few of his protégés, who were found assisting him and engaging in similar behavior.
There’s a huge restructuring happening in the company now, and I’ll be taking over his position.
I’m setting up my senior editors, and I’d really like one of them to be you.
Of course, I can’t just give you the job, but if you’re interested, I’d love for you to come in and meet with the managing department heads and our editor-in-chief. ”
What the freaking hell?
“I…”
“Listen, Kennedy, I know it was awful how you were treated, but the other department heads and I, along with HR, are working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“I appreciate that,” I say, finding my voice. “What would the job entail?” I know generally what senior editors do, but I want to hear some specifics before I get excited. Even though my stomach is in my throat in a mix of excitement and nerves. Not sure why I’m nervous, though.
“My intention would be to have you as senior editor overseeing book reviews primarily, along with some television and movies. You’d get to interview authors.
I know you want some meatier stories, so I’ll do my best to get you more of that too, and it’s possible that moving into another department would be an option, eventually. ”
Devon looks at me curiously as he parks the car.
“When would you need me to come in?” I ask hesitantly. Generally speaking, this is where I want to go in my career, but something in my gut feels off.
“We’d need you to come in this week.”
“Is there any way I could do a video meeting? I’m in California currently.”
“I’m sorry, but they want to meet with everyone in person before final decisions are made. If you’re interested, it would have to be this week. This would be a big step for you, Kennedy.”
The dream job.
So, why do I feel hesitant?
“We’re scheduling people on Wednesday and Thursday. Could you do either of those days?”
I bite my lip. That would be before the reunion. I’d have to fly out and fly back. And I have the book club on Tuesday night.
“Can you hold on a moment?”
“Sure.”
I mute my phone and look at Devon .
“What is it?”
“My old job wants me back. They fired the guy who let me go and they want to make me a senior editor—but only if I can interview in person on Wednesday or Thursday.”
“This week?”
“Uh huh.”
“Do you want to do it?”
“I don’t know. I would need to fly out and back before the reunion.”
“That’s not what I asked you.” He sweeps some hair off my cheek and looks into my eyes. “I asked if you want to.”
I bite at my bottom lip. “I feel like I should. It’s a really good opportunity. What I’ve been working toward.”
“Then you have to do it.”
“But Devon, what about…” I look around the parking lot and up at the inn. “All of this? Me staying the summer? Us?”
He leans in and softly kisses my lips. “The inn will always be here, and as fun as a summer here together sounds, you can’t pass up a good career move.”
“And us?”
“Babe, you have nothing to worry about with us. We’ll figure it out. I’m never letting you go.”
I nod slowly. “Okay. I’ll go. But I’m not sure if it’s… the right move.”
“We can figure that out after, but it won’t even be an option if you don’t go.”
“Yeah.”
I unmute my phone and put it back against my ear.
“What’s the latest you have on Wednesday?”
“I can do as late as 4:45. Does that work?”
“Put me down. I’ll be there.”
“Sure thing. I hope you’ll consider this. It’ll be a big step for you on your career path. You deserve this.”
“Thanks,” I say, stomach twisting.
“Of course. Take care, Kennedy. See you soon. ”
“Yes. Thanks. Take care. Bye.”
The line disconnects, and I slowly lower my phone from my ear and turn to look at Devon.
“Hey, you okay? Because you don’t look it. You just got an incredible job opportunity.”
“I know, but…” I’m enjoying my time here. “It happened sooner than I was expecting. Hell, I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
I should be excited. This is my dream job. He’s supporting me. But there’s this nagging in my stomach, and I kind of want to cry.
He leans in and kisses me, and I finally relax. “I’m proud of you. You should be proud, too. You’ve worked hard for this.”
“I have. And I am. It’s just… after being fired or laid off, whatever, all those hours I put in, all the effort, it started to feel like a waste. In some ways, it still does. This used to be exactly what I wanted. And it is… tantalizing, but I don’t feel excited about it like I thought I would.”
“Let it sink in. It’s okay if you’re not sure yet, but don’t let a great option pass you by, either.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
“I never want to hold you back from following your dreams.”
That wasn’t what I asked. And I’m not sure this is my dream anymore.
“Okay.”
He scrunches his nose. “Hey, I told you we’d figure this all out together, and I mean it. Now, you are way too grumpy and sad. You just got an awesome job opportunity. And we are finally a couple.” He kisses my cheek, then my lips. “Or did I not prove that enough this weekend?”
“You did some good proving,” I chuckle.
“Then show me your excited face.”
I flash a smile. And I do feel a little better. A little more excited. Dream opportunity. Now I’ve got the dream guy. Could I really have everything I wanted ?
“Come on,” he says, opening his car door. “Let’s go tell Gladys.”
I smile as he climbs out of the car. Not everyone who falls for their best friend gets so lucky. Hell, I’m lucky to have him in the first place. To have his love, too? That’s the best thing ever.
Gladys was both unsurprised and thoroughly excited to hear we were together. Shockingly, Devon’s mom had not already told her. She did, however, text my mom, but thankfully, I’d already texted her, Frannie, and Hallie over the weekend to fill them in.
Now I’m sitting at the desk with Gladys, half looking at reunion stuff and half overthinking everything.
“Who are they now?” I ask, looking through a pile of papers about the reunion.
“Yes, that’s the theme. Didn’t you read your invitation?”
I laugh. “No. I think it showed up in my email, but Devon had already told me about it and I’d taken the time off, so I just ignored it and moved on.”
Gladys shakes her head. “Well, that is the theme. There’s going to be a slideshow with pictures of you back in high school and again now. I’m sure you would’ve been asked to provide some had you looked at the email. Devon handled that for you, though.”
“Hopefully he chose some good ones,” I say, blowing my hair off my face as I look back at the pile of reunion stuff—mostly notes from Gladys and Devon about the decorations, food, and layout.
I read the words again. Who are they now?
Great question.
My mind drifts back. Who did I think I was going to be ?
I sneak out the side door of the school, doing my best to be inconspicuous. I don’t know why. It’s not like I’ve never skipped class before. And it’s the back half of senior year. Nothing important is happening, anyway.
I head for the nearby tree line and find Devon leaning against a tree.
“Hey,” he says, his green eyes vibrant as usual.
“Hey.”
He wraps his arm around me in a half hug like he hasn’t seen me five times today.
“Claire coming?”
“Right here,” she says from behind me.
“Anyone see you?” I ask.
She snorts. “No. And trust me, we’re the least of everyone’s problems. The assistant principal just caught two people fucking in a car in the parking lot. There’s a whole crowd out front which made it easy to sneak away.”
“I don’t understand the appeal of fucking in the school parking lot, but whatever,” I say.
Claire shakes her head. “Dumbasses are probably going to be expelled four months before we graduate.”
“Nah. It’s too much paperwork to expel anyone,” Devon says as we walk down a worn trail between the trees that leads to a small parking lot where Devon’s old minivan is parked. We all climb into the back.
“Four more months,” I say. “Can you believe we’re almost done with high school?”
“Thank fucking God. I’ll be out of here the second that diploma is in my hand,” Claire says.
“I think we’re going back to New York,” I admit for the first time.
Devon stares at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrug. “We’re still going to college together. I know my parents are going back. I’m just not sure when.”
“They’re selling the house?” Devon asks .
“Yep. I overheard them talking about it last night. They haven’t officially told me yet, but they’re going to. It doesn’t surprise me. My dad has been working long distance for a New York company for years. They were just being nice enough not to move me again.”
“Like they did for a job your dad ended up hating?” Claire rolls her eyes.
I bump my leg against hers. “Hey, it worked out okay.” My eyes go to Devon. “My life wouldn’t be the same without you two.”
“Oh, god. Please do not get sentimental on me. You two can hold each other and cry when I’m not around. I’d rather scrape my ear canal with something sharp.”
Devon chuckles as I shake my head. “Fine then. Where do you think we’ll be in ten years?” I ask.
“Not living here if there’s a god above,” Claire says.
“No, you’ll be too busy being a boss bitch CEO of some massive company,” Devon says.
“I don’t know about massive, but I want to run my own company,” Claire says. Then she points at me. “And you’ll be the bigshot journalist writing about it. And all your TV and book reviews, like you do for the school paper.”
I smile at that. “That’s the dream. Who knows what journalism will be like at that point, but hopefully, I’ll get into one of the big online news sites. Writing, editing, bringing people together and starting conversation.” I’m nearly giddy as I say the words. “Assuming I get there.”
“You will,” Devon says. “You’re too good at it not to succeed.” I scoff, but he doubles down. “I’m serious, Kend. You will.”
“And what about you, model boy?” Claire teases. “You going to take the underwear world by storm?”
Devon smiles coyly. “Maybe. Don’t worry, I’ll send you some signed photos to hang in your office.”
“Good. Cause we better still be friends.”
“Ooh, now who’s getting sentimental?” I tease .
“Yeah, yeah. I will miss you, assholes, but we’ll keep in touch regularly while we take the world by storm.”
“Here’s to that,” I agree.
Writer and editor. Rising through the ranks.
That was the dream. It all seemed so simple at the time.
Go for what you want and get it. Of course, I also thought I’d understand everything and have my life perfectly together at twenty-eight.
Cue the laugh track. Life slams a few doors in your face, tosses you around, and you have to figure out the new path all while still not knowing a goddamn thing.
“Is it okay if I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up?” I ask Gladys.
She turns from the computer, dropping her glasses off her nose and letting them hang from the chain around her neck as she smiles at me.
“I didn’t know, either. I grew into it. You don’t have to know right now.
Or ever. You can do whatever feels right.
It’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are.
Figure that out and let it guide you. Who are you, Kennedy Baker?
Who do you want to be? And will taking that job in New York help you be that person? ”
Good question.
“No one else can choose your life for you. Take your time, look inside yourself, and you’ll find your way. You have too beautiful of a heart not to.”
With a wink, she pops her glasses back on and turns to the computer again.
Who am I? Who do I want to be?
I’m still not sure I know the answers to either of those questions.
Devon walks toward the desk, smiling brightly.
Right now, all I know is I’m happy.
That’s half the battle, right?