Chapter Thirty-Seven
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Riley was in a better mood the next morning. Jack had called to wish her a Merry Christmas and to invite her to a black-tie New Year’s Eve party that one of his friends, a senior partner at the law firm, was having in his penthouse apartment. “We’ll do gifts then, before we go. Since we won’t see each other until then. And we’ll be celebrating, I think? I heard the good news. Though I’m a little surprised you didn’t call to tell me yourself.”
Riley felt a twinge of guilt. She’d thought of calling him, but hesitated because she didn’t want him to assume she was taking the job. “I’m sorry, Jack. They called right before I left for the airport and yesterday was nonstop. They did make an offer. And I heard from the other company as well.”
She paused for a moment and he jumped in, “Oh, so that’s it then, you’re taking the other job and didn’t want to tell me?”
“Not at all. They actually called to let me know that I didn’t get it. They are going with an internal candidate.”
“Oh! So, you’ll be accepting the law firm job. It’s really a great opportunity, Riley.”
“I know it is. I just need the weekend to digest it. I told them I’d let them know early next week.”
“Well, of course you’ll take it. It’s a no-brainer. You don’t have anything else pending, do you?” Jack sounded so sure that this was the job for her. There was no doubt in his mind.
“No. Nothing else.” Riley wished she was as enthusiastic as Jack about working at the law firm.
“Well, I’m excited for you. Call me next week once you’ve called them and officially accepted. And we’ll plan to ring in the New Year and celebrate.”
Riley shook her head. Jack was so determined but she knew he meant well. The New Year’s Eve party did sound fun.
“Thanks, Jack. I’ll call you next week as soon as I talk to them.”
“Great, and tell your mom I said Merry Christmas, too.”
“I will.” Riley ended the call and turned to her mother, who had just walked into the kitchen. “Jack wishes you a Merry Christmas.”
Her mother smiled. “That’s nice of him. What is he doing for the holidays?”
“His parents live in Hartford. He’ll be heading there. He invited me to a New Year’s Eve party—black tie.”
“That sounds fun. Fancy. Do you have anything to wear?”
“No. I’ll have to go shopping. You know, I had the funniest dream the other night. I was trying on suits for the new job and nothing fit. Hundreds of suits. I kept trying them on one after another.”
Her mother gave her a long look. “Well, hopefully you’ll have better luck with the dress.”