“She’s not the worst, I guess. Have a good day. I’ll see you…”
Greer sat at the table, holding her mug. “I’m not sure. The contract issue has me working non-stop. Maybe tomorrow night.”
I smiled. “Sounds good.”
I walked in my room and started my morning ritual.
***
Addie beat me to the office. She was on the phone when I walked in. I set up my laptop and scrolled through my schedule for today. I had a meeting with Max Harrison. It was the first of several mentor check-ins for the year.
The entire process was one giant interview. I knew when I made it to the end I could interview at other places. I didn’t have to stay at American. I didn’t have to put in for one of the teaching positions. I was trying to get my footing. I didn’t want to think about what happened ten months from now.
The reason I moved to D.C. was
to give myself options. To explore something new. I didn’t like that somewhere in the back of my head I had the idea that staying at American would be better if I wanted some kind of future with Vaughn.
It was still too early to try to call Garrett. He hadn’t texted or called last night. I felt guilt worm through me. I hadn’t thought about him until now. The desperation I had felt vanished when Vaughn came over.
Did that make me a terrible sister? Did it make me heartless and cold? Was I so used to Garrett’s threats and wild ideas that I could ignore them for a night when he may have needed me most? Who was more selfish?
I twisted my hands together. I no longer saw the images on my screen. I was lost. I needed more coffee—or air. I needed space away from the incessant clicking that came from Addie’s tongue when she spoke.
I mouthed to her that I’d be back in a few minutes. I pushed through the lobby, ignoring the long faces of the women already lined up for the morning. Meg looked confused.
“Be right back,” I explained.
There was a small campus store a few minutes from our building. I headed that direction. At least if I returned with a fresh cup it will have looked like I accomplished something.
I stood in line to fill a cardboard cup, reading the headlines of the newspapers and magazines while I waited. Students talked about classes. I overheard someone mention plans for fall break. That was next month.
I paid for my coffee and stepped into the sunlight. D.C. had already said goodbye to the sweltering summer. There was a new coolness in the air.
My phone vibrated and I awkwardly reached in my bag to grab it without spilling my coffee.
“Good morning,” Vaughn spoke before I could say hi.
“Good morning.” I stopped by a tree, holding the cup close to my chest.
“Get my notes?”
“I did. I liked the second one.”
“Both of them are true. I just got out of my first meeting.”
Students walked past me. “I’m headed into one now. I stopped to get more coffee.”
“Tired?”
I pinched my lips together. “Maybe. You’re not?”
“Exhausted.” His voice almost made me tremble.
I smiled. I liked knowing I was the reason he was tired. That every time he yawned or his eyes burned today it would be because we had spent the night together. He felt everything I felt.
I leaned against the bark. “Thanks for coming over last night.”
“Sounded like you needed a friend.”