Page 67 of Not Just Gal Pals

And with that, Jenny crossed the road toward her parents’ house. I watched her go, standing on the pavement with my chest and throat aching, trying to keep the tears under control.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

JENNY

I spent the train ride to Grand Central and the Uber from Grand Central to JFK attempting to suppress the image of Blake’s face crumpling when I told her the news. I scrolled through previous Mahler campaigns, trying to drum up excitement for tomorrow. But it did nothing to alleviate the sick, heavy feeling in my stomach. Walter lay slumped in his carrier, his brown curls drooping over his eyes, looking as morose as I felt.

The Uber dropped me at Terminal 5. I grabbed a trolley, setting off to check in my bags and go through security. My face was puffy from crying. I had a few minutes before boarding, so I wandered around the duty-free store, searching for miracle beauty products that would avoid Mahler canceling the deal on the spot when they saw me. I was paying for a serum and a moisturizer that made big promises in the rejuvenation department when the boarding call for my flight boomed over the loudspeaker.

I didn’t have time to dwell on my problems as I rushed to the gate, scanned the ticket, shoved my backpack in the overhead compartment, and got Walter comfortable in his carrier under the seat in front of me. But as soon as I was buckled in and the plane began to taxi in preparation for take-off, doubt set in.

I was going to miss Blake. A lot.

It blew my mind that I could have fallen for someone so hard in such a short time.

And it wasn’t just Blake I’d miss. Mom and Dad, Amanda, George… While I’d once found Sapphire Springs suffocating and dull, over the past weeks, I’d developed an appreciation for what it offered. A sense of community and belonging. Quality small businesses who really valued their customers. The lack of traffic. The close proximity to nature. Reduced cost of living. Plenty of space for Walter. More time to stop and think.

But while there were so many good reasons to stay in Sapphire Springs, there was one major impediment. Work. Sapphire Springs businesses weren’t exactly lucrative sources of sponsorship deals, and so far, despite my recent rural-themed posts, no brands specializing in flannel or hiking gear had offered me a gig. If I couldn’t do that, what could I do?

All the other jobs I could think of would make me miserable.

As much as I loved George and my parents, I’d quickly get bored waitressing at Novel Gossip or working in the family construction business. But maybe it didn’t matter if I was surrounded by the people I loved? Could I suck up a tedious job I wasn’t passionate about to be with Blake and close to my family and friends? I sighed loudly, attracting a pointed look from the middle-aged woman sitting next to me, who was clearly trying to sleep. I knew deep in my soul that I wouldn’t be fulfilled, that I’d be unhappy, and that unhappiness would affect everything. And if history repeated itself and my relationship with Blake just fizzled out, I’d be even more miserable.

But I wasn’t satisfied with my current job either. I was dreading going back to my regular schedule of posting and promoting products and services. The Mahler deal would provide me with some financial stability...but if I didn’t want to keep doing this, was it worth the money? And what would happen as I got older? Would there be work for a social influencer when I was fifty?

The montage of Blake started up again. As my memory lingered on the image of Blake and me hanging up prints in her living room, another realization struck me. I was so worried about my casual relationship with Blake fizzling out, never getting serious. But it was already serious. Everything we’d been doing for the last month screamed serious, except for the label we’d put on it. I’d had enough experience with casual relationships to know this wasn’t one. I shook my head. Why the hell hadn’t I realized that earlier?

And yes, Blake might have said she was an eagle flying alone, but she hadn’t been flying alone the last few weeks, and she’d certainly seemed to be enjoying my company. Perhaps she did feel the same way.

I chewed my lip. I needed to come up with a career I actually liked, one that would be long term, sustainable, and pay my bills. And ideally, one I could do from Sapphire Springs.

Until now, everything had fallen into place for me. I hadn’t set out to become an assistant to a Hollywood actor or a social influencer. It had just...happened. Moving to LA when I was eighteen had been the last big decision I’d proactively made. But if I wanted to be truly happy, I had to work out what I really wanted and pursue it.

I unlocked my phone and started to research job ideas. After five failed career quizzes, which served me more and more unlikely career suggestions, including slaughterhouse worker and garbage truck driver, I shut my eyes and tried to visualize what my ideal life would look like.

Me and Blake, Walter and Fred cozying up on the couch in Blake’s cottage. Blake leaning over, her mouth beginning to explore… Get a grip, Jenny. This is meant to be helping come up with a career change, not a sexual fantasy. Seeing my parents for Sunday lunch. Gossiping with Amanda over brunch. Catching up with George at Novel Gossip and…and… Think, Jenny, what would make you happy? I sat in my seat, unable to sleep, racking my brain for inspiration.

The comment Blake had made a couple of weeks ago came back to me. “But you have lots of skills, and you’re smart. I’m sure you could do something different if you wanted to. I mean, you were incredible stepping in to do Amanda’s wedding and—”

All of a sudden, I was wide awake, excitement replacing the heavy feeling in my stomach. Of course. It was so goddamn obvious.

I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

BLAKE

I stood in the large, empty auditorium at Sapphire Springs High, overwhelmed at the task ahead of me. The only thing keeping me from going home and curling up on the couch under a blanket with Fred was just how much the fundraiser would help my patients. God, the couch sounded good right now.

I took a deep breath and straightened my posture. No, this fundraiser has to happen. It’s only a few hours. You can get through this. George, Amanda, and Olivia would be here any minute to help set up. That would make things easier.

I’d broken the news about Jenny to George this morning when I’d trudged into Novel Gossip in search of caffeine and moral support. George had plied me with lattes and gently offered me every edible option on the menu at least twice, concern written all over her face. But today I didn’t feel like eating—not even her lemon-blueberry cake. Once I’d downed my second coffee, I’d texted Olivia. Jenny must have told Amanda already, because she’d messaged me last night to see how I was.

At about three a.m., I’d seriously considered moving to LA. In some strange, half-sleep, half-awake state, I’d imagined becoming a doctor to the rich and famous. All my financial worries and the stress associated with having patients who couldn’t afford medical treatment would vanish, and I’d spend endlessly sunny, carefree days with Jenny, walking along the beach and hiking. But even in my sleep-deprived, emotionally confused condition, I knew leaving everything I’d built here was not an option. I’d spent so much time establishing my practice, caring for this community, I couldn’t just leave it all behind. If Jenny ultimately left me—which, given my track record, seemed likely—I knew I’d regret leaving Sapphire Springs for her.

The door banged. I looked up from the paper in my hands to see Olivia, George, and Amanda walking over. Before I knew it, I was enveloped in bear hugs. I lingered in their arms, drawing comfort from their warmth.

“How are you holding up?” Amanda studied my face, her brow furrowed.