Devoted Read Free Page A

alone way out on the
edge of town and kill me.

 
    CHAPTER
THREE
    EMMI
    After Zoe and I had breakfast, I went to the University Newspaper office. I was a little nervous about seeing Sarah, since she had
been snippety with me lately over Braxton, but I had photos that I needed to
turn in to her. I still had the ones of the fight and
the ones I’d taken of Braxton, and the ones of him and me. I didn’t know what
Sarah was going to think, nor if she’d even publish the ones of me and Braxton, but I still had my job to do.
    I made my way through the offices and the printing room in search of Sarah. I finally found her in the conference room where we had our
staff meetings. She looked up when I came in and she
actually looked happy to see me.
    “Hey, Sarah, are you
busy?” I asked. She had a pile of paperwork in front
of her, it looked like job applications.
    “Hi, Emmi . I ’m
not too bad. I was going to call you today; actually, I’m glad you came by.”
    “I’m sorry, I should
have brought these photos in yesterday but I just got a little overwhelmed
and…” My stomach suddenly felt sick. Was her animosity
going to affect my job?
    “ It’s okay, Emmi . Sit down, today is fine for the photos. I
wanted to talk to you about something else.”
    I sat down, but I made sure to pick a chair out of striking distance. Not that I thought she would strike me, but you can never be too
careful. I really hated thinking that way about her. I liked Sarah before all the jealousy nonsense started.
    “I’m going to graduate
at the end of this semester and that means my job here as head photography
editor is going to be open. They’ve left it to me to assign my own replacement
and I can’t think of anyone more qualified than you.”
    I was staring at her as she talked, but I wasn’t sure I was really processing her
words. I was literally stunned. I think my mouth probably hung open for a full minute before I realized how stupid
I must look and closed it.
    “Me? Really?”
    Sarah smiled. “Yes, Emmi . I know you’re probably suspicious of my intentions since I’ve been anything but
cordial lately. I owe you an apology. I knew that Braxton and I weren’t going anywhere a long time
before you came into the picture. It just took me a
minute to get my head back on straight when I realized that he had actually met
someone he was willing to settle down for. I honestly
thought it would never happen and I just had to sort through some feelings
about that. None of that should have been directed at you though and I’m truly
sorry that it was.”
    “Wow, um…thank you,
Sarah. It’s okay, really. I know that a lot of people are probably shocked
about me and Braxton . I do
appreciate the apology though. As far as the job… I ’m
ready to dance naked on the rooftops right now! It would be a
dream come true for me. The advantage this would give me when I start looking for a job will be tremendous. I truly cannot believe it.”
    Sarah laughed. “Well,
pinch yourself, you’re not dreaming. This has nothing to do with me being regretful about my behavior either. The job is
seriously about your talents. I recognized your
talents right away and you’re a hard worker on top of it. I know you can do this
or I would never recommend you.”
    Her praise meant a lot to me and I almost felt misty-eyed as I told her, “I’m
sure you know what a great opportunity you’re lying at my feet here. I am just so thankful and happy; I don’t even know what to
say. Thank you, Sarah, so much.”
    “You’re welcome. We
have a staff meeting this afternoon and I ’ll let them
know that I’ve chosen you and you’re willing to take the position. Then the
editor will be contacting you from there with the details.”
    I squealed, I knew it wasn’t professional, but I couldn’t help it. Then I jumped up and hugged her. I couldn’t help that either. She only laughed at me ; I
think she got how exciting it was for me. I couldn’t
wait to tell