The Winning Ticket (Circle of Friends #1)

28. Even On My Worst Days, It Seems Like I Cant Switch Off From Him

brIANNA

28

Kylie

Good luck today. Let me know how you go.

I look down at my phone before locking the screen again. My leg bounces with nervous energy while I wait outside Lance’s office. He’d pushed back our meeting by a week, so I’ve been forced to wait even longer for the outcome of Cynthia’s tantrum. She went in a few minutes ago, giving me a sanctimonious look when she walked past.

“What are you sitting out here for?” Melissa asks when she walks past with a coffee cup in her hand.

I nod towards the office, where the word Director is plastered across the door. “Cynthia has had me summoned.”

“Ah, fun times. She really seems to have had it in for you ever since you arrived,” she says, shaking her head.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

Even though I have no real interest in working here anymore, I am still a little freaked out about this meeting. I’ve never been in trouble at work before, and this feeling sucks.

“She’s always been like this. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know, okay?” She squeezes my shoulder, and I nod, distracted when Lance’s office door opens, and the man himself sticks his head out.

“Bri? You can come on in now.” He opens the door wide and ushers me inside when I walk hesitantly past him.

But I’m surprised when he turns back to Cynthia and tells her she can go now. Judging by the look on her face, Cynthia wasn’t expecting that either.

“But –”

“Off you go, Cynthia. You’ve aired your concerns, but I’ll take it from here now,” Lance says, sitting behind his desk.

Cynthia shuts her mouth and gets to her feet, giving me a brief glance before walking out. Once the door closes behind me, Lance shakes his head and laughs a little, causing me to raise an eyebrow at him in surprise. This was not how I was expecting this meeting to start.

“Firstly, I’m sorry about Cynthia. I’m aware that the two of you haven’t gotten off on the right foot, and I should have interceded before now.”

Definitely not what I was expecting. “Yeah, it hasn’t been great,” I say, nodding slightly.

“I’m going to move you to a different team. I get the sense that you haven’t been feeling as strongly about the luxury goods side of things lately, am I right?”

I stare at him. I’ve not had a lot to do with Lance since I started in the Brisbane office, and I’d only met him a few times before that, so I have no idea why he’s so understanding or how he’s noticed that I’m not as interested in my current duties.

Lance regards me closely when I don’t respond straight away. “You’re wondering why I’m being so nice, aren’t you?”

“A little bit, yeah.” I give him an apologetic smile.

He sighs and sits back in his chair.

“I’m sure this isn’t considered professional,” he says, and I sit up straighter, becoming wary. “I know Richard.”

This is definitely not what I was expecting. “What?” I don’t even bother trying to be professional.

The minute he mentioned Richard, this ceased being a professional conversation.

“I have friends in the same circle as Richard, and we’ve crossed paths a few times. When you transferred here, I was a little surprised, and then I found out what he did. So I ignored Cynthia’s complaints until now because I knew you’d been through a rough patch. And I’ve not had any cause to be unhappy with your work, but I could see that your passion in Sydney hasn’t translated to your time here.”

I’m really having trouble figuring out how to respond to his confession and the veiled insult about my lack of passion. He lets me silently work through this, waiting for me to answer in my own time.

“I don’t know how I feel about my boss being aware of my personal life,” I say slowly, and he nods.

“I understand that. It’s why I’ve left things for the past few weeks, but I am also aware of how Cynthia can sometimes be. I thought of moving you across to our social media team. I know you’ve got a knack for that, which means working with a different manager if you’re open to that solution?”

The social media team is a step down from my current role, and we both know it. This is his way of making it seem like he’s a caring boss when he really wants the problem to go away.

“Sure. If that’s what you think will work.” I shrug.

His eyes narrow a little, but he nods. “Yeah, I think that will be the best option. You can start with them tomorrow if you’d like. And you can work from home the rest of the day to hand over your current projects.”

Wow. So, I got a demotion, and I am being sent home for the day. I want to care, but this is all just cementing the fact that I need to find a new job.

“Okay. If that’s what you think is best.” I get to my feet, and Lance follows suit.

He smiles at me, opening the office door for me to walk out, and I cringe inwardly. He gets to feel good about himself now, like he’s done me a favour by moving me to a different team rather than dealing with an employee who is a known bully. Seems on brand with the company’s way of dealing with issues.

I head to my desk and grab my stuff, walking out without chatting to anyone else. Sure, I’ll go home and work on handing over my projects.

Right after looking for a new job.

Just Jake

How did your meeting go?

Brianna

Well, I’m still employed, but they moved me to a team that is basically a demotion. So I’m sitting on Seek right now.

Just Jake

That sucks, Little B. Maybe it’s time to start looking at places where you can start using your photography skills?

Brianna

Maybe.

I’m not feeling particularly enthused by anything this afternoon. None of the job ads I’ve seen look even remotely interesting, and it took me ten minutes to sort out the handover for the projects I was working on. Even though I had stopped enjoying my job, I was still good at it.

I know that Jake means well when he suggests I should find something related to photography, but I wouldn’t even know where to start. I’m not game enough to try to become a full-time influencer, even though I have a decent following on social media with my travel photos. I work with influencers and know how hard they have to hustle, but it’s not my thing.

I grab my book and head for the terrace, with Maddie following close behind. When in doubt, go and hide in the pages of a romance novel. That’s become my new motto.

My phone pings again, alerting me to another message, and even though I am ready to switch off, I can’t ignore it when I know it might be Jake. Even on my worst days, I can’t switch off from him.

Just Jake

Have you given any more thought to coming here? It might help you disconnect from work.

It’s like he can read my mind, even from this distance. I love spending time with Jake in the apartment or anywhere else. When I’m with him, everything else just fades away.

I stare down at my phone while I chew my thumb nail absently, shaking my head at myself as I type out my reply.

Brianna

How’s this weekend?

Just Jake

This weekend doesn’t work for me, that’s too long. How about right now instead? Does that work for you?

Kidding. This weekend is perfect.

I smile and take a deep breath. Even this small exchange with Jake is enough to lift my spirits.

I decide to do one last check of the job ads before calling it a day, and am surprised when I come across one that has just been listed. A family-run tourism company advertising for a marketing manager who is willing to travel the state taking photos and creating campaigns to get Aussies out to the outback and see more of our country.

Now that I’ve seen the ad, it’s all I can imagine doing with my career. I quickly put together a cover letter and apply immediately, desperate to stand out from the hundreds of other applicants I am sure will apply.

I may not have the experience they want in a marketing manager, but I have the drive and know I’m the right one for this job.

In a moment of self-doubt, I screenshot the ad and send it to Morgan.

Morgan

Oh my god, yes! You would be perfect for that job.

Brianna

You think? It would be amazing, but I’m not sure I’m what they are looking for.

Morgan

If they don’t at least interview you, I will be sending them a strongly worded email with lots of exclamation marks. You know how I love exclamation marks.

Morgan does love the exclamation mark, and has been known to use it at any given opportunity.

I drop my phone on the couch next to me and start absently picking at the skin on my fingers. This is the first job I’ve applied for since beginning with the agency. It was my first job, and I hadn’t thought about how I’d feel when actively applying for another one. The nerves are making me feel ill, and I focus on my breathing to try and calm myself, focusing instead on seeing Jake this weekend. I haven’t felt as unsettled as this since I moved here, and I know a large part of that is because of Jake.

Realising this was the perfect opportunity to create some content for my social media, I begin researching things to do around Stanthorpe, and soon, I’m calm and in my happy place, looking forward to seeing Jake in a few short days.

Morgan

And hey, if you’re going to have a job like that, where you’re travelling so much, you could just move back to Mum and Dad’s. You’d barely be home.

Brianna

Why would I move back in with Mum and Dad? Is this about me living with Jake again?

Morgan

I just worry that he’s getting feelings for you and is going to get hurt.

Brianna

Morgan, for the love of God, let it go.