Second Chances (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 32 - all i ever wanted was to be enough for you

Ricky and Nini walked hand in hand into the big ballroom, and walked over to their seats where Nini's boss was waiting. Nini had convinced Ricky to be her plus one to this publishers' association gala thing. Ever since he told her about his job search, she'd been helping him a lot and trying to refer him to a lot of people. Truth be told, Ricky really needed the help and he was glad he came clean to her. Nini said this night would be perfect for networking since everyone and anyone in the industry would be attending, including the photography people as she put it, and Ricky was glad to have any reason at all to visit his amazing fiancé.

"Nini, Ricky! So glad you could make it!" Doyle said shaking his hand and giving Nini a friendly side hug. "It's nice to finally meet you, Ricky."

"The pleasure's all mine." Ricky said.

"Thanks for inviting us, Doyle." Nini smiled kindly, before a group of women waved over at her from afar. "It seems my presence is required in the other side of the room. Is it okay if I leave you two alone for a sec?"

"Yeah, go ahead, babe." Ricky squeezed her hand. "Doyle and I will be fine."

"Of course! It was unfortunate that we didn't get to meet when you helped us out with the YAC Fundraiser." Doyle said to him. "Your work is incredible. I'm a fan!"

Ricky blushed at his words, but reminded himself that Nini probably put him up to it. Even so, it was great to have people tell him they loved his work. The conversation flowed naturally and Doyle even asked Ricky whether he would be interested in photographing for future editions of Figment.

"Why don't we get a drink, Ricky?" Doyle stood up, "There's some people I think you should meet."

__________

Soon enough, Ricky found himself in a circle of men, all seniors in the publishing industry it seems. He'd exchanged business cards with three people so far, and they all verbally offered him senior or editorial positions at their magazines. But somewhere along the way, he found himself scanning the room for his girl, and after finding her deep in conversation with an old man who was probably an executive he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was wearing the most gorgeous glittery silver gown, and he was suddenly trying to memorize the men in this room who probably looked at her a little too long throughout the night, so that he could give them a piece of his mind later.

"Ah.. I see you're looking at Nina Salazar-Roberts." A random guy slid beside him and rested his arm on Ricky's shoulder. "The one that got away."

That got his attention. Did Nini have a secret ex-boyfriend he didn't know about? Ricky had only talked to this guy for about five seconds but he was ready to punch him in the face. "I'm sorry what?"

"It's not like that." he said extending his hand. "Sorry, I should have introduced myself first, I'm Benjamin Maz, I'm Editor in Chief for New York Magazine."

Ricky took his hand, "Ricky Bowen. I'm a photographer and her boyfriend."

"Ah. So you're the lucky guy." He said chuckling.

"So how do you know Nini?" Ricky asked straightforwardly.

"Well.. I offered her a job once, but she rejected me."

"Oh. She never told me about it." Ricky said. "What was the job?"

"I was a young editor at NY Mag, and I'd stumbled upon her profile. We talked and I interviewed her. I offered her a job as a features writer, but she'd told me that the timing wasn't right. She couldn't move to New York, and chose to stay in Salt Lake instead."

A young editor? When did he offer her this job? and why did Nini not say anything about it to him? "I'm sorry, when did you say this was?"

"Oh, a long time ago. It was probably five years ago."