Page 98 of A Whole New Play

“Oh?”

I nod. “Yeah. He… he offered me a job.”

Carter stiffens. He tries to hide it by relaxing his shoulders immediately. But I still notice. “A job?”

“Yeah. Well, actually, he offered to interview me for a job,” I correct myself.

But based on what Will said, he’s already done his research on me and my job experience and thinks I’m up for the job. The interview is more of a formality so his partner, Henry, can meet me and decide if I’ll be a good fit for the work culture they’re trying to establish. As long as I don’t come across as completely incompetent, I’m pretty sure the job is mine.

“That’s… wow.” Carter clears his throat. He sits down across from me, leaning his back against the wall. “Tell me more. What’s the job?” He props up a leg and rests his elbow on his knee, watching me expectantly.

I don’t know if his casual demeanor is an act for my benefit. In case it is, I approach my explanation with caution.

“It’s for a startup.” I tell him what I remember about the company’s product, making a mental note to research what I can about supply chain product optimization before my interview.

His long dark lashes fan his face as he blinks at me in surprise. “They want you to be CFO. Really?”

“Yeah,” I laugh weakly. “Crazy, right? I’m so not qualified.”

“Don’t do that.” He frowns. “You’re smart, Valerie. If anyone could step into the role of a CFO and kick ass, it’s you.”

The compliment makes my stomach flutter.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He dips his chin. “So, when is the interview?”

“Friday.”

“This Friday?”

I nod. “At five o’clock. Since this week is a home game, I assumed you’ll be back home by then.” The Rough Riders coaching staff take it easy on players practice-wise in the days leading up to a game. “I can still pick up the twins from school and bring them home before I head downtown for the interview. Is that okay?”

“Of course, it’s okay. I’ll make sure I’m back. Or, if not, I’ll have one of my parents come look after the twins so you can leave when you need to.”

“That works, too.” Carter seems supportive. That’s a relief. At least, it should be.

I can’t help but feel like we’re dancing around each other—neither of us is willing to call out the elephant in the room. If I take a new job, I can’t be the twins’ nanny. He knows that. But he doesn’t know that this job in particular could put a heavy strain on our relationship. A strain that’s almost fifteen hundred miles of distance.

“So, the interview is downtown. Is that where their headquarters will be?” Carter asks, unaware that the question is going to lead down a path to bad news.

I lick my dry lips. “No, I’ll be meeting Will and his partner at their hotel downtown. They booked one of the conference rooms for the interview.”

“Hotel? They don’t live in Dallas?”

Here we go.

I take a deep breath.

“No.” I pause and press my lips together briefly before adding, “The company is going to be based out of California.”

His eyes widen. “California?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” He drops his gaze. “Oh…”

Guilt pierces my chest. But it shouldn’t. I have nothing to feel guilty about.

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