10. Wren

10

WREN

W as it too late to back out now?

I thought I was nervous before, but now that I was actually inside the Orchids' facility, I was about to have a full-blown panic attack. Red, pink, and white assaulted my vision as I followed James. We passed by multiple staff members and they all looked curious about the new girl. Maybe because I was walking beside one of their players, or maybe because I looked seconds away from upchucking all over the floor.

Probably both.

"James, are you sure about this?" I questioned as he led me down a hallway of doors in which I could only assume to be higher-ups of the Orchids' franchise. "I mean, I don't even meet the qualifications for the job."

"I'm more than sure." He glanced over at me with a grin. "How hard could it be anyway? You have that blog, so you have to know a little somethin' about how social media works, right?"

I didn't know whether I should feel surprised or embarrassed that he knew about my blog. Knowing about it was one thing, but bringing it up to me in person was something else entirely. Especially when it was someone who knew me.

Someone who knew my story, and the thought of it made me uneasy.

"I know the basics, like I'm sure most people do, but managing an NHL team's social media…" I went to say, and immediately all feelings of uncertainty hit me. "I don't know if I can do that."

As we approached the end of the hall, James came to a stop at a door with the name Jim Dalton and below that said, Director of Marketing .

My stomach instantly flipped.

"Wren, you got this. You ever need help, just ask. I already talked with Jim and gave him a simplified version of why I needed you to have that job, and he was more than happy to give it to you."

Oh god.

What does a simplified version mean?

"The guys on the team will be more than happy to help you out along with Kate and I." Already, I could feel my heart going steady from his reassuring words but the lack of mentioning Mal's name prevented it from calming entirely. "We're all on your side here and want what's best for Mal."

Peering up into James's carefree expression, I sighed in defeat.

I was doing this.

I mean, I knew I would do it, but I was actually going through with it now.

No more contemplating.

"I know. I know." I nodded. "I just… I don't want to screw up."

The job, I didn't want to screw up, but with Mal, I didn't want to come back home without him. I didn't want to disappoint anyone, and I think James caught on instantly to what I was saying. His eyes immediately softened.

"You won't screw up." He placed his palm on my shoulder and squeezed. "I promise."

My chin dropped but I refused to let a tear fall.

I lacked confidence like most, but being here, I felt as though I had none. But if it meant I was one step closer to bringing Mal home, then so be it.

I've come a long way from the closed-off woman I used to be, and this was just a test of how strong I'd become over the years. So, finally, on the lift of my shoulders and a confident shift in my posture, I nodded to James.

I was ready.

Or should I say, as ready as I'll ever be.

And within seconds, he was opening the door.