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“I’d love for you to stay here, but Spencer’s flat…it’s so cramped, you know?” Ben looked away, his eyes skimming his room. “I don’t even have a closet. My clothes are crammed in my suitcase…” He shook his head. “You can’t swing a rat-cat in here.” He chuckled nervously. “Uh, I could ask Alex. Maybe you can stay in their spare room? You’d have privacy and a lot more space…”

He wants to pawn me off on his friends…what the fuck? Why doesn’t he want me there with him? Is he not telling me because Mom’s here? “I don’t need tons of space, Ben. You’ve seen where I live—”

“Sweetheart…” Maggie’s eyes darted from Ben fidgeting on his bed to Riley’s confused frown. “Why don’t we wait and see if you get it, and then you can figure out all the details?”

Ben’s nod dissolved into a yawn.

Maggie patted her daughter’s arm. “There’s no point asking Alex or doing anything until we know.”

Ben yawned widely again. “Sorry! I’m just…knackered. Two jobs…” He rubbed his eyes. “Riley, I really hope you get it, love.”

You’re not acting like it. Riley stared into her dessert and closed her eyes, hoping her mom—but most of all, Ben—wouldn’t spot the tears of disappointment threatening to dampen her lashes. His loving words from the airport swirled in her head, mocking her.

“When you feel sad, just close your eyes and remember…”

Right now, though, Riley wondered—was Ben forgetting?

• • •

Seeking comfort in pajamas and a fuzzy blanket, Riley curled up on Maggie’s foldout couch and settled in for the night. Eyes puffy, she typed out a text to Ben but then deleted it. I’m still too upset. She opened her laptop and dove into work emails. How does one day off trigger an avalanche of messages? She scrolled through, accepting requests for meetings and confirming her boss’s travel itinerary for a TV festival in Banff. As she flagged some emails, a three-word subject line sent her pulse into a sprint.

Elstree Studios Placement

Riley bit her cheek and opened her boss’s message.

From: Nick Balfour

To: Riley Hope

Sent: Monday, March 4 at 3:25 P.M.

Subject: Elstree Studios Placement

Riley,

Human Resources delivered their decision this afternoon regarding the Elstree Studios Placement. I wanted to tell you in person, but since you weren’t in today and all applicants are being notified ASAP, email will have to suffice. As you’re well aware, the timeline for this placement is tight, and Elstree wants the successful applicant settled in London no later than Wednesday, March 20.

Forget butterflies, Riley had the cast of The Birds flapping inside her belly. I’m afraid to look. She took a deep breath and read on.

In the three years you’ve been with us (internship and full-time), your hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to the group has been duly noted, and it’s with great pleasure I say, ‘Pack your bags! London’s calling!’—the six-month Elstree placement is yours. Please take this evening to think it over and let me know your answer in the morning. We’ll be meeting with HR tomorrow at ten to discuss details and answer any questions you may have.

You’ve been such a great addition to the New York team and I’ll be lost while you’re gone, but you’ve earned this chance, Riley. Congratulations and well done!

Best, Nick

Oh. My. God. She read it again, in case the emotional exhaustion of the day was making her hallucinate. No, it’s real—the job’s mine. London’s mine! Her hand trembled as it met her mouth. I wish Mom were awake. I wish Ben wasn’t being weird. Shit! I really need to tell someone…Pip! I’ll Skype her…

She answered right away, a wet towel twisted into a beehive atop her head. “Hey! Sorry I didn’t answer your text earlier—I was elbow-deep in glue and feathers most of the day! Great news about your mom, huh? Remission! Thank God!”

“Yeah. Couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Pulling her bathrobe closed, Piper pressed her lips together. “You okay?” She angled closer to her computer screen. “Your face is weird…what’s up?”

“I just found out…I got the London placement.”

“WHAAAAT?!” Piper bounced up and down in her chair, her wet towel wobbling. “Holy shit, Rye! You’ll get to see Ben!”

Riley’s grin slipped. “Well, I’m glad you’re excited…he sure as hell isn’t.”