###Chapter 7

Chapter 7: High expectations

In the quiet, early hours of the morning, Reese woke up to the sun peeking through her curtains. Her mind immediately replayed the events of the previous night: the celebration with Chelsea, the excitement about the opportunity Liam had offered, and the endless possibilities waiting for her. A surge of motivation washed over her, pushing her out of bed and into the shower. She needed to be ready; today was going to be a day of preparations.

Dressed and ready, Reese made her way to her small home office, laptop open and notes sprawled out from previous projects. She started compiling ideas and strategies, jotting down every thought that crossed her mind. If she was going to impress Liam and his team, she wanted to come prepared.

Halfway through her brainstorming session, her phone buzzed. She picked it up to see a text from Liam: “Good morning. Let’s meet for lunch to go over the details. Are you free around noon?”

Reese’s heart leaped. She replied quickly, her fingers almost stumbling over the screen. “Yes, that works perfectly! Looking forward to it.”

Time seemed to crawl by as she waited for noon to arrive. She kept working, adjusting her notes and running ideas through her mind. When the clock struck eleven-thirty, she grabbed her bag, did a quick check in the mirror, and headed out. She wanted to be a little early to get herself settled before Liam arrived.

The restaurant was a classy, modern spot downtown, and as she stepped inside, the scent of fresh bread and coffee greeted her warmly. A host guided her to a table by the window, where she could see the city bustling outside. Reese fidgeted slightly, her excitement bubbling under her calm exterior.

A few minutes later, Liam walked in, his tall frame and confident stride catching everyone’s eye. He spotted her and waved, a small smile curving his lips as he made his way over.

“Reese,” he greeted, taking the seat across from her. “Glad you could make it.”

“Of course! I’ve been looking forward to this,” she replied, her voice steady despite the nervous energy swirling within her.

They exchanged some small talk as they ordered, then Liam shifted the conversation to business, his tone becoming more serious.

“So,” he began, leaning forward slightly, “I’ve been reviewing your work, and I have to say, I’m impressed. You have a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling that’s rare.”

Reese felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment, but she kept her composure. “Thank you. I really appreciate the opportunity to work with you. I’ve been jotting down ideas and possible directions we could take. I want to make sure I’m bringing something valuable to the table.”

Liam nodded, seeming genuinely interested. “That’s exactly the kind of attitude I was hoping for. This project is going to require a lot of creativity and, honestly, a bit of grit. It won’t be easy, and I won’t sugarcoat things.”

Reese’s eyes lit up. She didn’t expect easy—she wanted a challenge. “I’m ready for whatever comes my way. I know I can handle it.”

Liam chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Good. I like the confidence.”

Their food arrived, and they paused the conversation briefly, each lost in their thoughts. Reese felt a new surge of determination as she thought about her goals, her desire to break through and prove herself.

Liam set his fork down, wiping his mouth before he spoke again. “There’s one thing, though. This project might involve traveling. Not constantly, but enough that it could disrupt your routine. How do you feel about that?”

Reese took a moment to think. Traveling would be new, but she was excited by the prospect. “I think it sounds amazing. I’m up for it, especially if it means getting to learn and experience more.”

“Perfect,” Liam said with a nod of approval. “I thought as much. I’ll be organizing a team meeting soon. I want you to be there to meet everyone and get a better sense of how things work.”

The rest of their lunch was filled with more details, planning, and laughter. Reese found herself feeling more comfortable with Liam, appreciating his straightforwardness and the vision he had for the project. By the time they finished, she felt a newfound confidence and excitement brewing within her.

As they stood up to leave, Liam looked at her with a thoughtful expression. “Reese, I have high expectations. I wouldn’t have reached out to you if I didn’t think you were capable. Keep that in mind.”

She smiled, her voice firm. “I won’t let you down.”

They said their goodbyes, and Reese walked out of the restaurant feeling like she was walking on air. This was her chance, and she intended to make every moment count.

---

Back at her apartment, she barely had time to settle in before Chelsea burst through the door, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“So, how did it go?” she demanded, practically bouncing on her toes.

Reese laughed, tossing her bag onto the couch. “It went amazingly! Liam was so supportive, and he laid out a lot of the details. He thinks I have potential, Chelsea. He even mentioned that I might have to travel!”

Chelsea’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? This is getting better by the minute! I knew this was your big break!”

Reese grinned, feeling a swell of gratitude for her best friend’s unwavering support. “I honestly couldn’t believe it either. He even invited me to the team

____

Later that evening, Reese returned home, feeling a mix of excitement and exhaustion. She closed the door and let out a deep breath, reliving every moment of the day in her mind. It was hard to believe how quickly things were changing; only a few weeks ago, she would never have imagined herself here, so close to a real breakthrough.

Chelsea, sensing Reese’s arrival, poked her head out from her room. “There she is! So…?” Her eyes were bright with curiosity, barely able to contain her excitement.

Reese smiled and set her bag down, making her way to the couch. “It was incredible, Chelsea. Liam introduced me to the team, and I got to pitch my ideas. They were all listening, actually taking me seriously.”

Chelsea practically squealed as she hurried over, plopping down next to her. “I knew it! They’re lucky to have you—you’ve got that spark they’re looking for. I’m telling you, this is just the beginning.”

Reese laughed, a warm feeling filling her as she thought about it. “Liam even told me I did a good job afterward. He seemed genuinely impressed. I mean, I know there’s still a lot to prove, but it feels like I’m finally getting somewhere.”

Chelsea grabbed her hands, her face beaming with pride. “Girl, this is your moment! You’ve worked hard for this, and now it’s all paying off. You’re going to be amazing; I just know it.”

Reese’s smile widened, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you, Chelsea. You have no idea how much it means to me, having you by my side through all this.”

“Oh, please,” Chelsea waved her hand dismissively, though her eyes glistened with warmth. “You would’ve done the same for me, no question. But don’t think this means I’m done celebrating with you yet.”

Reese grinned, already guessing where this was going. “What did you have in mind?”

Chelsea gave her a mischievous look and hopped up. “You, me, and a little karaoke session right here! We need to release all that tension, and I’ve got just the playlist for it.”

Reese laughed, nodding as she stood up. “Alright, I’m in. Let’s celebrate!”

They spent the next couple of hours singing at the top of their lungs, laughing and dancing around the small living room. Chelsea picked the most upbeat, empowering songs she could find, each one lifting Reese’s spirits higher and reminding her of the joy of having a friend who believed in her so fiercely. With every song, her confidence grew, the anxiety and pressure melting away in the lighthearted fun.

Eventually, the playlist slowed, and they found themselves sprawled out on the couch, catching their breath. Reese felt an overwhelming sense of peace as she looked around her cozy apartment, her heart full. This was home, in every sense of the word.

Chelsea broke the silence, her tone turning serious. “You know, Reese, I think this could be huge for you. It’s not just a job or a project—it’s your chance to build something that’s entirely yours.”

Reese nodded, her mind already racing with the possibilities. “I feel it too. There’s so much I want to do, so many ideas I want to bring to life. And now… it feels like I finally have the space to make it happen.”

Chelsea reached over, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “And you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here, every step of the way.”

Reese smiled, feeling that familiar warmth and security. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, you’re never going to find out,” Chelsea replied, smiling back. “Now, let’s make a toast. Here’s to a future filled with success, creativity, and, of course, more karaoke nights.”

They raised their imaginary glasses, laughing as they clinked them together.

As the night wore on and Chelsea finally retreated to her room, Reese sat by herself in the quiet apartment. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as the events of the day replayed in her mind. Liam’s words, the team’s interest, the thrill of sharing her ideas—all of it settled in her heart, creating a steady, calming rhythm. She felt an unshakable resolve, a confidence that had grown roots and wasn’t going anywhere.

There was so much left to do, so many challenges ahead, but for the first time in a long time, she felt ready for it all. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but with friends like Chelsea and opportunities like the one Liam had given her, she was certain she could handle whatever came her way.

As Reese finally drifted off to sleep, one thought remained, burning brightly in her mind: This is just the beginning.