I spend all of Friday showing Charlotte around Priority News. Mr. Monohan wants to make her transition as smooth as possible, so I’m basically showing her how to do my job before I actually leave. I’ve come to terms with leaving. Monohan was right. If I don’t take this job, I’ll be jeopardizing my career and it won’t help Aria one bit. Paul Weston will hire someone else entirely. I plan to start looking for an apartment the day of my interview, which is Monday. From what I’ve heard, Oliver has the eight o’clock interview, Aria has the nine o’clock, and I’m last at ten. We were scheduled that way so I could stick around and get a tour of the building—since, according to Mr. Monohan, Paul Weston has already confirmed the job is mine. The interviews are strictly formalities.

Like every year on her birthday, Aria takes the day off, which means I don’t have to worry about running into her or trying to dodge the judgmental stares as I show Charlotte around. Monohan is spinning it as Charlotte being so versatile she can fill the position of whoever gets the job at The Sentinel. Aria would see right through that, but Oliver is clueless and the rest of the office doesn’t really care because they all think I’m the most qualified.

Charlotte is more than qualified for my job. She spent the last three years working for a small paper in Ohio. She worked her way up to advertising manager and jumped at the opportunity to come here.

“This is one step closer to New York City. I’m slowly working my way there, putting in the time and logging the man hours.”

“You’re going to do great,” I tell her, glancing up at the grandfather clock, which is less than a minute from chiming six o’clock. “I think we should call it a day.”

“Thanks for showing me the ropes.” She looks around and lowers her voice. “Any idea when you’re officially out of here?”

Monohan made her privy to my leaving. “Not yet. You’ll be among the first to know, though.”

She nods. “Everyone here seems great. Really easy to work with. Even that Oliver guy everyone warned me about.”

Of course. The smug bastard thinks Charlotte will be his replacement. He has no reason not to like her. “The staff is great,” I say, opting for the PC response. “Shall we?” I motion to the elevators.

Charlotte grabs her purse, and I follow her out, saying good-bye to David and Emily on the way. Emily is the only one who isn’t thrilled to have Charlotte on board. Most likely because David’s jaw dropped the second Charlotte arrived. I’m sensing some office drama in the works.

“So, are you all settled into an apartment?” I ask as we ride the elevator to the parking garage.

“Well, I’m sleeping there, but I haven’t unpacked a thing. Other than my sheets, that is.” She smiles and looks down at the floor. “It’s a little lonely not knowing anyone yet, so I’m focusing on the job. I spent all last night researching the area and exploring the Priority News site and reading the stories.” She lets out a long sigh. “I guess I’ll unpack tonight since I don’t have any other plans.”

It’s obvious she’s looking for an invite, some sort of human connection. I get that moving to a new state can be intimidating and lonely—I’m sure I’ll find out just how much soon—but I have Aria’s party tonight.

“Look, I would help you unpack or something, but I have a party to attend tonight.”

“A party?” She instantly perks up. “That would be a great way to meet people. Make a few friends.”

“It’s mostly people from work.” I hope that will deter her, but instead she beams at the thought.

“That’s perfect.” She clasps her hands together. “I’ll get to know everyone outside of the office.” When I don’t respond, her cheeks redden. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Look at me talking like I’m going with you. That was so rude of me.”

Damn it. I can’t stand to see anyone looking this lonely. “I’m sure it would be okay if you came along, but you should know it’s a birthday party. For someone we work with, actually.”

“Oh, that’s great. I’ll grab a gift. No problem at all. Can you tell me about the person, though, so I know what to buy?”

The elevator doors open, and we step into the parking garage. She motions to the left, indicating where she parked.

“I’m on the other side,” I say. “The party is for Aria. She’s the features editor.”

“Aria Carmichael,” she says with a nod, proving she’s done her homework. “She wasn’t here today.”

“No, she wasn’t. Anyway, she’s not big on gifts, but she loves Tony’s. That’s the place where we grabbed lunch today. A small gift card would suffice.”

“Done.” She places her hand on my forearm. “Thank you, Nate. You’ve really helped me out the past day and a half. I mean, you didn’t have to take me to dinner last night.”

“You just moved in and didn’t have any food in your apartment, I’m sure.”

She shakes her head. “I could have ordered out. You’re a really sweet guy.” She leans forward and kisses my cheek. When she pulls back, she looks a little horrified. “I’m sorry. I’ve been told I’m overly affectionate at times. I hope that wasn’t out of line.”

“It’s fine. Oh, the party is at Last Call. It’s on Front Street. Do you know where that is?”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Okay, well, if you’d like I can pick you up at your apartment complex.”

“Really? You don’t mind? I mean, I could always just use my GPS.”

“Not at all. Oak Grove Apartments on Willow Court, right?” I ask, remembering from last night.

She laughs. “Yes. I only know that because I had to memorize it for all the paperwork Terrance had me fill out.”

Terrance? No one calls Monohan by his first name. “The party starts at eight, so I’ll pick you up at 7:40. Does that work for you?”

She nods. “See you then.” She starts for her car, and I turn in the opposite direction.

Less than two hours to pick up Aria’s gift, shower, change, and drive to Charlotte’s place. I pick up my pace, but with each step I question the gift I picked out. Aria has always loved dragonflies. She told me she used to catch them when she was a little girl. She even has a dragonfly tattoo on her lower back. Two months ago, I snapped a picture of the tattoo when she fell asleep on her couch during a movie marathon night we were having. Her tank top had ridden up, and the tattoo gave me the idea to have a matching necklace made. I sent the picture to a designer I know, an old college buddy who owns a jewelry store that focuses on custom pieces. He sent me pictures of the necklace a few days ago, and it looks perfect. But I’m afraid Aria isn’t going to want me at her party, let alone giving her a gift like this. I’ll have to explain how I managed to match the design so perfectly, and the thought of me taking pictures of her while she slept might come across the wrong way now that she’s not speaking to me.

I drive the twenty-five minutes across town to Eldridge Designs. Even if I don’t give Aria the necklace, I have to pay Tommy for his work. I park and jog into the store, knowing I’m short on time.

“Hey, Nate.” Tommy greets me with a one-armed hug. “How the hell are ya?”

That’s a loaded question. “Fine, Tommy. You?”

“Same old.”

I look around the store. Every item in the place is one of a kind. “How are sales?”

“A little slow at the moment. They’ll pick up again, though. No worries.” Tommy always was an optimist. “I’ve got Aria’s necklace gift wrapped for you. Figured you wouldn’t have time, picking it up the night of the party.”

“Thanks, man. You’re a life saver.”

He brings me to the counter, where a small package in silver paper and a mini teal bow rests next to the register. I hand him my credit card, not bothering to ask the price because I know Tommy will give me the best deal possible. When I raise the pen to sign the screen, I see the total is much less than anticipated. I pause and frown.

“Tommy, this can’t be right. You have to charge me more than this.”

He crosses his arms. “Sign your name, Nate, or I’ll sign it for you.”

I sigh and scribble my signature. Returning my card to my wallet and picking up the package, I say, “I’m running an ad for you in Priority News. If you want anything specific on it, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll draft it up and send it to you to approve.”

Tommy nods. “Free advertising? I’m not going to say no to that.”

If Aria was still speaking to me, I’d ask her to have one of her staff writers do a piece on Eldridge Designs. Maybe I still will. I’ll let her know Tommy designed the necklace. I’m sure she’ll do it as a thank-you to him, if not for me.

“Wish Aria a happy birthday for me,” Tommy says, pulling me in for another hug.

“Will do.” I wave and walk out, not wanting to divulge the many things that are wrong with my relationship with Aria. I haven’t even told Caleb. I’m not sure I could talk about it without ramming my fist through something. I should have tried harder to tell her what’s going on. Hell, I should have had the balls to tell her how I feel.

I force the thoughts from my mind before I ram my fist through my own head.