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Jesus, we really can’t be having this right now. Out of all the times for her to bring it up...
“You’re just after that award, aren’t you?” Josie asks. “It was never about me.”
“I thought we had made it clear on day one...”
“Just answer me, Victor.”
“Yes, I really want that award,” I say.
And it’s the truth. I do.
But Josie clearly doesn’t see it that way.
“Yeah. I thought so. It’s got nothing to do with me.”
“Josie, I’m paying for the best lawyer in the country to see to your divorce,” I retort. “You signed an agreement to help me win this thing. Come and help me. Be with me tonight. Stop all this.”
“Victor,” she snarls, “I’m not stopping anything. I want the truth. Do you even like me? Do you even care for me? Am I really nothing to you?”
“Not here, Josie,” I reply. “Be quiet. There are important people here. I can’t have you ruin everything because you suddenly want something... more.”
And I instantly realize I’ve said the wrong thing.
She stares at me for a long time. I can see the bitterness behind her soft brown eyes. I can see a storm about to erupt.
“Everything is over,” she whispers.
And then she goes. Storms off.
And I just watch her walk away.
70
ONE MONTH LATER
JOSIE
Amanda sits down in the chair opposite me with a long sigh.
“So, Josie...”
I take in a deep breath before I dare speak.
“I’m back, Amanda,” I mumble. “With my tail between my legs. I need a job.”
“And you want to come back here?” my old boss questions.
I look around the empty coffee shop. It’s closed for the day. I remember the smell so well. The atmosphere in here. That easy pace of making coffee after coffee.
That time before a movie star came along and scooped me up...
Why did I ever leave in the first place? This is where I belong. Minimum wage and trying to claw my life back one dollar at a time.
“Yes. I want my old job back,” I say.
“And what about you and Victor?” Amanda asks.
Truth be told, I was waiting for this question. I have been thinking about this question for weeks.
