Again, But Better(103)

“And famous cemeteries,” he continues.

“I’ve always dreamed of visiting a city famous for its valleys full of corpses.” I swoon.

He grins, continuing his scroll through Packed! For Travel!’s top ten list of Edinburgh activities. “It’s going to be an interesting trip.”

I go back to scrolling on my own computer. “Look at this. They have a thing we can climb! A real nature thing!” I scoot across the corner so we’re against the same wall, to show him my computer screen. “Look, it’s called a crag, and we hike it to Arthur’s Seat!” The pictures look beautiful.

“Whoa.” He leans in to see my screen. “We’re hittin’ Arthur’s Seat, for sure.”

“Fo sho,” I tease in a Chad-like voice.



* * *



I dress to the business-casual nines the next morning and arrive to work ten minutes early in my best black pants and black blazer with my hair done up in a bun.

“Morning, Tracey! Anything you want me to start with today?” I ask. She hasn’t showed me the tea station.

“I might have some mail to be sent out later.”

“Okay, great … well, I’ll be over there whenever you need me.”

My phone buzzes as I sit at my table.

Pilot: You were a vision in business casual when you left this morning =]

Shane: LOL thanks … I didn’t see you this morning??? =P

Pilot: If you’re within sight, Shane, I see you.

Shane: When was I within sight?

Pilot: Saw you walking from the kitchen to the stairs on my way to breakfast.

Shane: You should have stopped me and said good morning!

Pilot: Figured you were trying to get there early.

Shane: I was, but I’d have time for you.

I put down the phone, my skin tingling. I’ve started to crave his touch in the same way I crave food or water. I look up to see Wendy switching up the office music at one of the editing bay computers. I haven’t had a chance to say anything to her. My phone buzzes in my lap.

Pilot: Can I take you to dinner tonight at 6?

Shane: I already can’t wait.

Pilot keeps me entertained until 4:30 when Tracey finally tells me she’s ready with the mail. I head up to her desk.

“Okay, here’s a bag of the mail. You can drop these off at the post office and head home, or you can come back and stay. We’ve got a potential sponsor coming in for a seven o’clock meeting today if you want to stick around.”

“Thanks, Tracey! Um, I think I’m going to head home because I have plans, but thanks! I’ll get these to the post office stat!”





20. Waves Come After Midnight



Thursday morning I get up early and stop to buy bagels for the office so I have an excuse to talk to Wendy. Since I was late that first day, I guess Tracey didn’t have time to give me the tour, which is fine because I know the office, but I really should have talked to Wendy. I was just feeling so gross and unpresentable that day, I put it off.

Once I get to the office, I greet Tracey, and head straight for Wendy’s door. It’s open. I peek in—she’s wearing a tight red business dress and a black blazer, typing on her computer. I knock carefully on the doorframe.

She looks up and smiles. “Hi.”

“Hi, Wendy! Good morning!” I smile back. “I just wanted to introduce myself again—I’m Shane—and say how happy I am to be working here. Thanks for having me. This company’s amazing, and I’m looking forward to learning more from you and everyone, and hopefully writing that study abroad piece for the site. I brought bagels for the office!” I hold up the bag enthusiastically.

“Shane, that’s sweet of you. Thank you for the bagels! You can set them up in the kitchen. There’s so much to learn in this office. I hope you really enjoy your time here.” She pauses, pressing her lips together. “Just to be completely straightforward, as far as writing a piece, that was actually still up in the air. I’ve rethought it a little bit. It’s a big responsibility, so I’m not sure it’s on the table anymore.”

It’s as if she pulled the ground out from under my feet. I take a step back to steady myself.

“Oh, Wendy, um, I’m up for the responsibility…”

She folds her hands atop her sleek clear desk. “Do you have any travel-related writing pieces I can look at?”

“I…”

I think back to the rambly post I wrote up about take two of Rome. It doesn’t have any focus. That’s not good enough. I started another post, but never finished. I haven’t posted anything since Rome. I never finished that first post about the initial differences I noticed between New York and London. Oh god.

“Um … no,” I finish quietly. I startle as the phone on Wendy’s desk rings.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, I have to take this. Have a good day! Thanks again for the bagels!”

I plod across the floor to the office kitchen and methodically arrange the bagels on a plate. My limbs feel heavy, like I’m wading through the ocean. The article is off the table?

I fall into my seat. How … but why? I need that article. How could she just take it away? Why don’t I have posts ready to show her?

The table vibrates slightly. I glance at my cell.