Free Annihilate Me by Christina Ross

about when they can expect the next novel.   And I mean novel .   Not novella.   Who can do that
in a few months?   I can’t.   That timeframe is unreasonable if they
want the book to be good, which of course they do.   I appreciate their enthusiasm, but let’s
get real.   Writing a book takes
time.   But still they want it
yesterday.   And if they don’t get it
yesterday?   It’s on to the next
author, who might be more prolific than me.   I’ve seen it too many times.   I’ve watched too many careers tank.   Maybe I should cut this book into a
series of shorts.   Maybe that would
appease them.   Hell, I don’t
know.    But I think that would
be cheating them, so I won’t.   I
also refuse to get in your way because of my own dilemma.”
    “You’re
not.   Tomorrow, I’ll agree to the
job.   I’ll give db Bistro two weeks’
notice.   Then, we’ll find a new
apartment together.   You and
me.   Something better than this
joint.   We deserve it.   We deserve a real prize of an apartment,
and we’ll find it.   But I won’t do
any of this without you.   Do you
hear me?   None of this happens
without you.   I will refuse it all
if you’re not with me.   You mean
that much to me.   OK?”
    She
leaned her head back against the sofa and sighed.   “Jennifer—”
    “OK?”
    “I
just don’t think—”
    “OK?”
    “Fine,”
she said.   “OK.”
    “You
mean the world to me.”
    “I
don’t think I’m going to mean the world to Alex.   I think I’ll be in the way.”
    “He’s
not like that.   He’ll understand the
situation.”
    “I
love you, Jennifer.   And I’m beyond
happy for you.   But I don’t think
you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
    “What
do you mean?”
    “We’ll
see.   And I sure as hell hope that
I’m wrong.”

 
 
 
 
    CHAPTER EIGHT

 
    The
next night, when I gave my notice at db Bistro, Stephen hugged me and wished me
well.   “I knew we wouldn’t be able
to keep you long,” he said.   “Not
someone like you.   I just wish it
had been longer, because I will miss you.   But go out and live your dreams, Jennifer.   We’ll be fine, so stop looking so
guilty.   OK?”
    I
couldn’t have asked for a better exit.   The next morning, I told Alex that I would accept the job.
    “Please
tell me you’re not joking.”
    “I’m
not.   But Lisa and I have to find a
new place to live.   It’s not safe
here.   You know that.   We each feel threatened by being
here.   I need you to be patient with
me until we find a place.   That’s
going to take a lot of work.”
    “It
doesn’t have to.”
    “Why’s
that?”
    “Wenn
has properties all over the city.   If you’d like, I’ll ask Blackwell to assist you.   She knows them all, and she knows them
well.   She herself lives in one of
our buildings.   You could be
neighbors.”
    “Very
funny.”
    “She
not that bad.”
    “I
know she’s not.   Actually, she’s
grown on me.   But I think another
building might be best.”
    “Give
it a shot—it’s not like you’re going to get a discount on rent, because I
know you’d never have that.   This is
just an easy way to cut through the clutter.   I’ll have her call you and we’ll nail
this down fast so you and Lisa can get settled.   Wenn provides moving assistance for all
new employees, so you will be moved at no cost.”
    “Alex—”
    “That’s
a fact, Jennifer.   I’m not doing you
a favor.   Certainly you’ve heard of
other corporations providing moving assistance.   That’s all this is.”
    Of
course, I had.   “All right.”
    “By
going through us and because you now work for Wenn, this will be an easy
transition by New York standards.   No boards.   No bullshit.   And you know why?”
    “Because
you own Wenn?”
    “Exactly.   Expect a call from Blackwell.   She’ll find you a great place.   And soon.   Because I want to see you soon.”
    “Same
here.”
    “I
already miss