Flawed (The Clans #12) - Elizabeth Knox Page 0,3
feeling like this is the moment I get my life back on track. A turning point. And then, when she reveals the salary, I try not to show the shock on my face lest she change her mind. It’s so much more than anything I’ve ever been offered, and she doesn’t even blink at it.
“What’s the catch?” I joke, feeling more comfortable with her than I ever expected.
“There is one little thing; you’ll have to move to South Africa within two weeks and sign a confidentiality agreement.”
I blink. I shouldn’t be surprised my presence will be needed in Africa, considering that’s where she told me they will be starting. Helping children that are kidnapped for use in armies. I am surprised by the suddenness, but I know this is an extraordinary opportunity and the luck will pass if I say no.
The confidentiality agreement is also a little weird. But who am I to judge?
“That’s fine. I’ll begin preparations.”
“Great. If you give me your phone number and email I will send you contacts and calendars you may need and anything else I can think of. Welcome to Hopeful Futures, Melody.”
Leaving in two weeks means I have more than just packing up my life and subleasing my apartment to handle.
I actually have a boyfriend, Carson, who I’ve been with for three years. A long time to some and not to others. We’re comfortable with each other, but we’re not so madly in love that I need to try and drag this out with me in another country and keep him from pursuing happiness elsewhere. It would just be unfair.
But I’m not cruel enough to break up with him over the phone. He deserves an in-person explanation.
That’s why I asked him to meet me the next morning for breakfast, though I let him pick the place.
I pull up to a local, popular spot, the kind that has both typical dishes like eggs Benedict along with lunch and brunch specials I can’t even pronounce. We’ve been here before on a few dates and liked the atmosphere.
You can get good food without dim lighting and heavy romantic feels. That’s just not us. We’re more good conversation and food, walk in the park after and people watch.
I sit down where Carson’s already waiting, his sweater sleeves pushed up to his elbows since this is Atlanta, and it’s rarely cold enough for sleeves down, even if he is one of those guys that looks sexy in a good sweater.
The waiter comes over, and he orders mimosas for himself, and I shake my head even when he looks at me expectantly.
“I have some work to do today, so no mimosas for me. Just water, thanks.” I smile at the waiter and shoot Carson an odd look. I almost never drink in the middle of the day unless it’s the weekend and I have been promised I’ll have the time off.
Then again, he knows I lost my job. He might have just assumed it was okay.
I soften my gaze and settle into my seat, wondering how to bring this up. I want it to be a fair goodbye, enjoying a meal together. But I’ll be sure we go Dutch because I don’t want any bad taste in our mouths for one of us paying for a meal like we’re together and then just breaking up with him at the end.
I order something light, though, not wanting to draw it out, and as he continues to question if I’m sure I don’t want something more or to go somewhere else, finally reaching out to touch my hand with romantic intentions. I can’t let this go on anymore.
“Carson, these three years have been great. You’ve been so supportive of my career and just kind of laid back and yet serious at the same time. But I got a new opportunity I can’t refuse. It will take me out of the country, and I leave in two weeks. I don’t want to leave you on the line here waiting for me when we don’t have any plans for the future.”
“Excuse me?” he says it a little loudly, and it garners us some stares that make me squirm.
“Carson . . . “
“No,” he cuts me off. “It’s my turn to talk.” His face is red. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him angry unless it involves a poor performance from his favorite sports team, so I’m a little lost here.
“We’ve been together twice as long as my parents were when they got married.