Page 48 of Not That Into You

He nods, thinking that over. “Would you ever work for a firm?”

I bite my bottom lip. “I don’t know. Maybe.” Taking a deep breath, I decide there’s no harm in telling him more. “I was actually offered a job at a studio I frequently work with.” And I’m beginning to think a steady paycheck and benefits would be nice.

Cameron’s gaze whips toward me. “Really? Which one?”

“Design 454.”

“Hm.” He frowns. “When did they offer you the job?”

“A little over a week ago. They told me they were going to hire another designer full-time and that the job was mine if I wanted it.”

“Monica, that’s awesome.” He smiles at me. “Are you going to take it?”

I look out the passenger window again. “I don’t know. It’s a cool studio, mostly women. They take on interesting projects and seem to live their values. But...” I lift my shoulders and let them drop. “I don’t know. I’m not sure it would work out. I’ve always been a freelancer.” I glance at Cameron. “On the other hand, if I don’t accept the job, I probably won’t work with them anymore because all the work they hire me to do would go to the new person.”

“Hm. A catch-22.”

“Yeah.” Which is why I’ve been struggling with the decision. I don’t want to lose Design 454 as a client, but I’m still not sure I want to become their employee.

“On the plus side, if you worked for them, you wouldn’t have to chase down payments.”

“True.”

He turns to look at me, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“What?” When he doesn’t answer, I look from him to the windshield. “Eyes on the road, buddy.”

He smiles before glancing forward and then back at me.

“What?”

“You know, you’re more than just a pretty face.”

I snort, ignoring the warmth spreading through my chest. I shake my head before readjusting my glasses.

He’s still looking at me.

“Cameron.”

“Hm?”

“Cameron!”

“Yeah?”

“Look where you’re going!”

The Jeep bumps over something in the road.

My eyes widen as I gasp. “You just ran over an armadillo.”

Chapter 14

Monica

Cameron turns onto a sandy dirt road, and we bounce along uneven ground toward a long, red building that resembles a ramshackle barn.

“Is this a farm?”

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