We spend another half an hour talking about everyone and in the end, I promise to call her once I know when I’m moving so they can help me.

Twenty-Eight

Claire

Six weeks after I accepted the promotion and chose to head the new branch, in Denver, Mom and Dad fly to New York. They rent a car and pick up Reggie and a few of my boxes. I ship the rest and pack enough clothes in my luggage to last me a week.

Opening the branch has been exciting and exhausting. Everyone has worked hard to make it happen in record time. Some days, I wonder why Edith and Shelby are in such a hurry, but I don’t ask because I’m sure it has nothing to do with the company and a lot to do with their overachieving personalities.

We’ve been chatting with the landlord, the contractor who’s setting the place according to our specifications, and his interior designer too. Everything should be ready next week.

Fortunately, I’m not moving alone. Most of my team, including Danielle, are moving with me to Colorado. Who knew they had it in them to be adventurous? The salary and benefits were a good incentive though.

Most of our current accounts will be handled by the New York branch. I feel a little nervous because even though I have the name of the company behind me, I’m starting this branch from scratch.

We already have some potential clients who are very excited about our new offices. There’s a company based in Northern California that wants to move part of their operation to Denver, and they’re shopping for a local advertising agency.

Overall, I think this was the right decision. London sounded good, but it’s more like a place to visit. I wish I had spent an entire summer working for them in London when I first started at Blend Media.

I regret not doing a semester abroad in college. It was just too expensive to even consider it at the time.

One day, I’ll be able to travel to Europe on vacation. Visit Tuscany. My heart stops for a moment. Damn it, why did I have to bring Miller Archer into my thoughts?

Because he owes me that trip. Not because I think about him. He’s ancient history. Miller Archer and I were like two stars who collided one night. We merged together, burnt like a thousand suns, and instead of becoming a new star; we collapsed into a black hole.

One moment, we felt what it was to be consumed by the eternal fire of love. We were immortal. The next moment, everything died.

Did I love him?

With all my heart. The poor sucker remained shattered for a long time. I glued it back together. I’m not sure if I’m ready to fall in love again, but I hope I find someone someday.