10. Annie

ANNIE

August 2019 - Annie is 23, Sam is 25

There's a spring in my step as I make my way to my new studio apartment. I pull out my phone to call Chiara, my closest friend from culinary school, who moved to New York for culinary school from Italy. I hit call and walk up the first flight of stairs to my apartment.

She answers on the first ring. "Tell me you got the job!"

"I got the job," I laugh into the phone. It doesn't feel real that I just got hired to train to be the head chef at Austen's. It's where I've dreamed of working for years since I first got to New York and now it's happening.

"We have to go out to celebrate tonight. Wait, this weekend. I have my last test tomorrow and shouldn't stay up late," Chiara says.

"This weekend, for sure," I tell her, excitement bubbling up inside of me. "Mitch Austen is just like everyone says."

Chiara squeals. Mitch Austen is renowned in the culinary world of New York. He's the current head chef but just chose me to be his replacement because he's going to be opening new restaurants all over the city.

"Is he as beautiful as all the pictures?" Chiara sighs.

"Somehow, I think he's even more beautiful in person." My heart flutters in a way that hasn't happened in far too long. Yeah, my new boss is hot—or maybe I just think he's attractive because he's so talented. Either way, I'm lucky. "I'll have to introduce the two of you once I've been working there longer." He's a few years older than us, and totally Chiara's type.

"Oh, I love you! You are the best friend a girl could ask for. But I've got to run. Congrats though," she yells the congratulations part. "I'll text you so we can figure out plans to celebrate."

"Alright. Love you too," I tell her and then we both hang up the phone. I've got a stupid grin on my face as I head up the three flights of stairs to my apartment and unlock the door.

I pull out my phone and text Emily, because she needs to know the news, and I need to tell her all about my hot new boss. She and I aren't as close as we were in high school, but we still keep in touch.

Me

I GOT THE JOB!! And Mitch Austen is even more attractive in person than he is in any online photos.

I set my phone on the counter and pull out the pasta I made yesterday to reheat for my lunch. I'm buzzing with excited energy.

My phone vibrates, and I lunge for it, but it's a text from Sam, not from Emily. He knew I had my final interview today.

Sam

Any news yet?

He is somewhere out of the country, but I call him anyway.

"Hey, sunshine," he answers, and his voice is low and quiet like I just woke him up.

"Hey, I got the job!"

"Yes!" Sam shouts and I can hear him moving around. "I knew you would. I can't wait to come eat at the famous Austen's and have my food cooked by the amazing chef Annie Jones."

I snort. "You can eat my food any time, you know that."

"I know. But going to the restaurant where you will be the head chef, that's incredible."

The awe in his voice makes me weak at the knees. I sit on my bed which takes up most of the space in my tiny studio. "I mean, technically it'll be another year or so until I'm officially the head chef, I'll be under the current chef's wing while he trains me. But that's why I got the job since I'm fresh out of culinary school and haven't worked anywhere yet. He said it'll be perfect so I can find my style."

"That's amazing, Annie." Sam says my name with such reverence.

"Celebrate with me when you get back?" I ask him. Before he answers, I hear muffled conversations from his side of the phone. "Who's with you?"

"Hm?" Sam asks, distracted. "Oh, that's Christina. She was just wondering who I was talking to. But yes, when I get back, I'll take you out to celebrate. Wherever you want."

"Okay," I tell him, ignoring the disappointment that crashes through me. Sam's got another new girl. I shouldn't be surprised. Ever since we moved to New York and I told him to date other people, he has been. It's been almost five years since I shut things down between him and I still struggle with it. But, I can't exactly be mad, he did exactly what I told him to do.

"Has Noah shut up about Tally yet?" Sam asks, changing the subject.

"Nope," I tell him. Every spring, Noah mourns the loss of this girl he met years ago. Saying his only regret was how idiotic he was in not giving her his number. "But it's almost summer, so maybe he'll come around and be fine again soon. I'm taking him to a Broadway show tomorrow to get his mind off of it."

"Good, good," Sam says, but I can tell he's distracted. "I've got to go. I'll call when I'm back in the States."

"See you."

"See you, sunshine."

My elation seems to deflate a little after I hang up the phone. Sam is still mine in the way he's always been, but it's different now. He's dating Christina, and she's there with him and it's morning. That has to mean something.

My phone vibrates again, this time it is Emily.

Emily

Girl, I knew you'd get the job. I also just googled your new boss *HEART EYES* I hope you become best friends with him.

I swallow thickly as I type out my response.

I honestly can't believe that I got the job. And he is very, very attractive. All sharp lines and soft eyes. Gah. I'm pretty sure all of my co-workers are already in love with him. And I think I need a new guy best friend. I just talked to Sam. He's got a new girl. I just called him and it sounded like he was just waking up and he was with her.

My phone rings a minute after I hit send.

"I'm sorry, honey," Emily says immediately.

I slump on my couch, appetite gone. "I don't know why I feel so weird about it. He's dated other women before. I'm the one who told him to date other women. I shouldn't feel this way."

"I know, but it's always going to be weird when he's with someone else. Everyone back in Kersey always thought it was going to be you and Sam who ended up together."

I let out a laugh but it sounds more like a gulp. "Whatever."

"It's true. I've seen the way he looked at you. That man has loved you for a long time." Emily tells me and my heart pinches.

"I think he finally took my advice to heart and finally moved on." My voice sounds small, even to me. I shouldn't care so much. I can't give Sam the life he wants, and he should be able to be with someone who can give him that. "Maybe it's time I moved on too. Find a new crush."

Emily sighs. "Only if you're ready."

"I think I need to, so I don't break my own heart any more than I already have. Sam deserves to be happy."

"So do you," she tells me. I know she's right, I know that I really don't need a man to make me happy. But having a new crush would be good for me, healthy. A slow grin spreads across my face.

"I know the perfect new crush."

"Mitch?" Emily asks me as if she can read my mind. "Isn't he like a decade older than us?"

"So?" I ask. "It would just be a crush, someone I can dream about instead of Sam. It's perfect. Plus, he's only like seven years older than us."

I remember the stern smile that Mitch gave me after offering me the job, and how warm his hand felt when we shook hands before I signed the contract. I know better than to date my boss, but...at some point, he won't be my boss. Plus, it's just a crush.

"It's perfect," I repeat.

"If you're sure," Emily says, but I can hear the wariness in her voice. She doesn't think this is a good idea. I just have to convince her it will be.

"Trust me, I want to stay friends with Sam, like we've always been. I can't ruin that by letting any sort of feelings get involved. So this is perfect. I've got a new crush."

"I don't think it works that way." Emily sounds skeptical. Which makes me laugh, because growing up, she had a new crush every single week.

"It's the perfect plan."

I hear screaming in the background—she's got a two year old and a husband. She's got a life I've never even let myself want. "I've got to go, you'll keep me posted about how the job goes though?"

"Yup, talk to you later." I hang up the phone and stare at the screen. "Perfect," I tell myself. A new crush. Someone to focus on so I can just be friends with Sam like we've always been.