“Well done,” Evelyn says after inviting me to her office one morning. “We got great feedback from Citrine. They’ve decided to keep the lifestyle section and make ‘Modern Love in Focus’ an annual Valentine’s Day tradition, but with different couples each year.”

“Oh wow,” I say. “That’s fantastic!”

Even though it’s technically good news, the most I can give her is a tight grin, since it’s unlikely that either Celeste or I will want to do this project again. Not after what happened the first time.

Evelyn surprises me by also remaining pensive. I didn’t tell her what happened between Celeste and me, so it’s not like she could have any idea about any of the non-work stuff. But then why this muted, thoughtful response?

“What is it?” I ask, fearing the worst.

“I saw a job posting,” she finally says.

I hold my breath, hoping she’s not about to say she’s leaving me and the rest of our team. After seven years of working for her, Evelyn is Horizon to me. I can’t imagine being here at this company without her.

“For a features editor in the New York magazine owned by Citrine,” Evelyn continues. “I want you to apply.”

I do a double take. “Wait, what? Me?”

“Yes, you, Gemma,” Evelyn says with a scoff. “Believe me, I’m far too old for that job. I was looking up retirement homes in San Diego this morning.”

“You’re retiring?” Panic fills my heart once more at the thought of her leaving.

She waves me off. “In the near future, yes, but you’re missing the point, Gemma dear! Honestly, we should have given you a promotion years ago, but we simply couldn’t afford it because of all the revenue issues we have at this office. But the New York one, however…”

“They have more money,” I say.

“And more opportunities for advancement. In any case, think about it. And if you’re interested in applying for that position, I’ll be more than happy to give them my recommendation.”

My heart races. On one hand, this new job sounds like a dream come true. And especially after everything that happened to me in San Francisco in the last year or so, I feel ready to move to a new place. But at the same time, a part of me wonders if everything will be too new. I’m not twenty-two anymore. I’m turning thirty in less than a month.

And like SF, NYC isn’t cheap. But at least I’m familiar with San Francisco, and California in general, while I’ve never even been to the East Coast. Everything I’ve ever known has been in the West Coast, from my family to my friends.

“Thank you,” I say at last. “I’ll think about it.”

37: Gemma