Once I accept the position at Angel Investments, things happen fast. I’m flown up to Boston the following day, Wednesday, to start three days of paperwork and training. They put me up in an absolutely incredible hotel for a month to give me time to find a new place. I’m given a moving allowance, and the list of benefits for this job is a mile long.

This is starting to feel like the best decision I ever made.

I meet my new boss, Victor. His personality fills any room he’s in. He made a lot of money starting a tech company a few years ago, and this venture is his passion project. Angel Investments gives startups a leg up, if Victor deems them worthy. He invests in people who are passionate about giving back to their community, and the whole office has a magical sort of buzz to it.

It’s exactly the kind of organization I’ve wanted to be a part of.

“Farrah!” Victor exclaims with arms wide open when I walk in. “Welcome, welcome!”

I’m introduced to dozens of people and shown to a huge office with big windows facing the Charles River. This is way nicer than my old job. The pay is about double, as well.

How I got picked for this position, I have no idea. When I sit down behind my new desk, anxiety starts curling in my stomach. Can I do this?

Then, Victor appears in the doorway. He waves at the room.

“What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful. A lot nicer than my place in New York.”

“Obviously,” he grins. He winks at me and I can’t help laughing. “Listen, Farrah,” he takes a seat across from me and tents his fingers in front of his chest. “I just wanted to say that I’m very glad you’ve decided to join us. When Rachael put your name forward, I knew you’d be the perfect candidate. With your education and your experience, you’re exactly the kind of fresh eyes we need here.”

“Thank you, Victor. I appreciate that.”

“I know everything is new, and it’s a big… change,” he clears his throat, breaking eye contact for a moment. “But let me know if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

He disappears out the door again and I let out a sigh. It’s no secret that Elijah and I have broken up. I’ve been avoiding the tabloids like the plague. If it isn’t my face and Elijah’s on the cover, it’s Jesse’s. And I can’t look at either of them right now.

A light knock on the door makes me look up. Rachael smiles at me and pulls out a silver laptop.

“Here, your work computer. I convinced Jake to let me bring it to you.”

“Who’s Jake?”

“The IT guy.”

“Right. I think I met him.”

“Scruffy looking, glasses…? The only guy wearing a hoodie instead of a suit?”

“Yeah, right. There are so many new faces, it’s hard to keep track.”

“Don’t worry,” she smiles. “Everyone is really nice. And everyone is excited to have you on board.” She puts the laptop down on the desk and I slide it into the dock. I already have a screen, a keyboard, and a mouse here, so when I fire up the laptop it’s all ready to go.

Rachael comes around and helps me log in, and the wraps her arms around my shoulders.

“I’m so glad you’re here. On Friday we should go out and celebrate! I can show you a really cool bar down on Charles Street.”

“Where’s that?”

“Not too far,” she smiles.

“You do remember that I don’t drink, right?”

“Obviously,” she laughs. “But if I remember correctly, you still enjoy a good dance once in a while. And there are lots of men around.” She winks at me, and I roll my eyes.

“Not sure I’m ready for that.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she says, walking towards the door. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just go out and dance.”

I grin, nodding to her. When I’m alone, I look at my computer screen and take a deep breath. This is the most senior position I’ve ever held, and I’m trying to not let myself be intimidated.

Soon, another head appears in the doorway and I’m whisked away for more training.

The days pass quickly, and before I know it, it’s Friday night. Rachael has somehow enlisted three other people to come out with us after work, and convinced me that my hotel room should be our starting point. Rachael comes in with our coworkers Nina, Jacqueline, and Tania. They’re each holding a bottle of wine and I start laughing.

“I thought you were supposed to be a serious corporate finance division of a serious philanthropic investment business. Not a bunch of wino’s!”

Rachael just laughs, shaking her head. “You were mistaken, Farrah.”

The girls laugh excitedly as Moose comes running into the room. I smile as they all crouch down to greet him. He’ll be here alone until I get back tonight, but at least he’s getting showered with attention now.

“How are you liking it so far?” Tania says as she rubs Mr. Moose between the ears.

“I love it,” I answer with a smile. Surrounded by new friends, I feel good. I haven’t thought about Elijah all day, and the thought of going out on the town is exciting.

I feel free.

It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can go out and dance and laugh and not worry about what Elijah will say when I go home. I can make new friends, and talk to other men. I can go out and be happy without worrying about being home by a certain time.

I don’t have to worry about what he’s doing, or who he’s talking to, or why his phone is locked.

None of that matters anymore.

I thought I’d be sad, or upset, but after just over a week apart, all I feel is relief. Rachael catches me as I touch up my makeup and change into my going-out dress. She smiles.

“How are you feeling?”

I lift my eyebrows and shrug. “Good,” I say, almost surprised. “I feel really, really good.”

“Good,” she smiles. “Then you made the right decision.”

“I’m starting to think so.”

We go back out and Nina wolf-whistles at me. “Mama you are hot! Where did you get that dress?”

“Oh, this old thing?” I laugh, posing for them. They laugh and Nina lifts her glass. It’s only been an hour with them, and my cheeks hurt from laughing already.

I hadn’t realized how isolated I’d been with Elijah. I had to check in with him so often that sometimes it just seemed easier to not go out. We’d get in huge fights if I went out or if I wanted to have a ‘girl’s night’, even though he’d be out until all hours multiple days a week.

It wasn’t fair, but I didn’t have the energy to fight back. He wore me down.

But now?

Now I can do whatever the heck I want.

It’s scary and exhilarating. Rachael hooks her arm into mine and winks at me.

“So,” she says. “Tonight we’re going to prison.”

“What?”

They all laugh. “I’m kidding. We’re going to a renovated prison! It’s this ah-mazing hotel-slash-club. It has like, mug shots of celebrities and bars on the windows and everything. You’re going to love it.”

“Okay,” I grin. “Not something I would choose, but I trust you.”

“I figure it’s like a nod to your old life. You were trapped before. In prison. And now you’re free! It’s like a big ‘fuck you’ to the old you.”

Rachael lifts her eyebrows, waiting for my reaction. I chuckle.

“Fuck you to the old me, hey?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Sounds good to me.”

She claps her hands and ushers us all out of the hotel room. I double check Moose’s water and food bowls, and then I close the door behind me. We pile into a cab and head towards the club. Rachael leans her head on my shoulder.

“It’s good to have you back, Farrah. You weren’t yourself with him.”

“It’s good to be back.”

She smiles at me, and my heart lifts. I know this is the right decision. It hurts, and it’s raw, but at the end of the day, I know it had to be done.