“When do they want an answer?”
“You’re lucky they’re even giving you time, which is another indication you should ask for more money. But you’ve got until Friday at 4:00 p.m.”
“Okay. I probably don’t need that much time, but I do need some. I’ll let you know.”
“Should I send them any kind of counteroffer? Ask for the one-twenty?”
“No. If I take the job, I’ll take it as is.”
I heard her sigh on the other end of the line. Sure, she wouldn’t mind another $2,000, which would be her cut of an extra $20,000, but being greedy was not the way to make yourself a good name in this business. If I was worth more than the $100,000 they were offering, then I’d get a bigger offer in a year. And it would feel better too.
“Okay, Kal. Let me know soon, all right? This is huge. Congrats.”
“Thanks, Lucy. I will.”
I hung up and immediately sent a text to Ella.
**I need some serious advice when I get home.**
I waited for her response. It came after just a few moments.
**Should I put a bottle of wine in the fridge now?**
I smiled at her response.
**I knew we were friends for a reason. Yes, please.**
Although our conversation was stalled until Mattie went down, the poor baby was teething and wouldn’t allow her mother and me a word—understandably. When Ella and I finally sat down on her big, comfortable couch, I was glad to have a glass of chilled white wine.
“Okay, now that we’ve got some silence,” Ella said with an eye roll, “tell me what’s up.”
“I got a call from my agent today and she told me I’ve been offered a job. A really good job. An amazing job, actually.”
“What? That’s great news, Kalli!” Ella reached forward and clanked her wine glass against mine, saying, “Cheers!”
I smiled and clinked my glass against hers in return, took a sip, and then continued.
“The only thing is, it would mean moving to LA permanently. Or at least for six months. If the show gets picked up for a second season, it would then become permanent.”
“Wait, a show? Like, a series?” Her eyes were wide and I could see the excitement building.
“Yeah, it’s a new sitcom, a romantic comedy. Some pretty big names are supposedly signed on. I’d be the head costume designer. It comes with a really huge paycheck. But it’s permanent. And in LA, of all places.”
“Yeah, but, isn’t LA kind of the mecca for all this stuff? Either LA or New York, I would imagine.”
“Yeah, but LA is also where Riot is,” I said.
“Right. Gotcha.” She leaned forward and placed her wine glass on the coffee table, then turned back toward me. “Listen, I wouldn’t blame you for turning down a job because you were afraid you were going to run into him. The way it ended with him was… painful… to say the least.” She looked me right in the eyes when she said her next words. “But you shouldn’t let your experience with Riot keep you from living your life.” She placed her hand on my knee and gave me a few friendly pats. “If you want my opinion, I think you should consider the job as if he weren’t a factor. If you have some other reason for turning the job down, then consider that. But don’t let a failed relationship keep you from progressing in your career. Your career is yours, and you’ve worked hard to cultivate it. No one can take that away from you, and you shouldn’t let someone else control where it goes.”
I took her words in and thought hard about them. Ella had a point and if there was anyone who had sacrificed for her career, it was her. Hell, she’d even gone back to work at a store where she’d been shot. Because it was her store. She could have very well closed up shop and let the fear rule her actions, but she hadn’t. And if Ella could go back after being shot, I could surely risk maybe seeing an ex-boyfriend.
“You’re right,” I said, then took a sip of my wine. “I would regret turning this job down for such a terrible reason.”
“I think you would too,” Ella agreed, her voice soft and understanding. “You’re one of the bravest people I know, Kal. If anyone can move to LA and become the head costume designer for a kick-ass sitcom, it’s you.”
“Thanks.” Ella’s affection for me always caught me off guard. Never before had I met someone and instantly known I was meant to be best friends with her. Megan was a bonus. The two of them had, in so many ways, held me up when I wasn’t able to stand on my own two feet. The emotion was bubbling up in me and I drowned the lump in my throat with delicious wine, not wanting to cry on her couch like I had a million times in the months before.
After a moment of silent contemplation, I finally let out a large sigh. “I guess I’m moving to LA.”