Ben stood in the doorway holding a coffee.
“Chelsea?”
I looked from him to the boxes.
“You accepted a job in Oregon?”
His face changed.
“I was going to tell you everything!”
“Chelsea, let me explain.”
I held up the lunch bag.
“You accepted a job in Oregon?”
“I brought you your favorite sandwich and apple pie because I thought you were exhausted. Meanwhile, you’ve been packing up your office.”
He set the coffee down.
“I haven’t finished packing.”
“That’s supposed to help me, Ben?”
“No.”
“I haven’t finished packing.”
“When were you planning to tell Olive?”
His mouth tightened.
“After I told you.”
“And when were you planning to tell me?”
“Tonight.”
“After you applied?”
“And when were you planning to tell me?”
He nodded.
“After you interviewed?”
Another nod.
“After you accepted?”
“Yes.”
I stared at him.
“When did this start?”
“After you interviewed?”
“Four months ago.”
“Four months.”
“I didn’t know I’d get it. It was a long shot, Chels.”
“But when you did, you kept going without me. You never even told me it was an idea.”
“The position has fewer overnight calls, actual weekends, and better hours. They want me to lead part of the department.”
“It was a long shot, Chels.”
