Page 69 of Resisting my Roommate

“Becca?” I all but shriek, dropping my dishtowel and throwing my arms around her, giving her a tight hug. “What are you doing here?” I pull back.

“A family friend is getting married in Tahoe this weekend, and everyone says this place has the best beer this side of the Mississippi. I had to come check it out for myself. Never in a million years did I think I’d run into you!” She beams as she clutches my hands. “How are you? You look…happy.”

“I am happy,” I say without a single ounce of hesitation.

This is the happiest I’ve been in a while. Maybe ever.

I’ve lived most of my life anticipating what’s next. I’ve never been content to just enjoy the moment. To just be.

Lately, that’s all I’ve been doing… Enjoying the moment. It’s been amazing for my soul. Exactly what I needed after Carson.

“I’ve actually been meaning to reach out, but life’s been crazy lately. When I got your email about job leads a month or so ago, I didn’t respond because I wasn’t in a position to help, but I am now.”

I furrow my brow. “What do you mean?”

“I recently started working for Ever Clear Industries as their social responsibility manager.”

“Ever Clear?” I respond, searching my mind to place the name. Then it clicks. They’re a huge food conglomerate. Even so, I’ve been around long enough to know that many of these huge corporations have an entire department dedicated to improving their image through social responsibility projects.

“I know. I know. I went to the dark side.” She laughs. “But let’s be real. At some point, we all need to make a living. And working for Ever Clear allows me to do that while still making a positive impact.”

I can’t argue with that, especially knowing how highly sought after someone with Becca’s skills and experience would be. During our time together in Zambia, she was a natural leader and mentor to many of us newer volunteers, guiding us through the challenges of acclimating to a different culture and way of life.

“I have a pretty good team, but most of them came up in the corporate world. No one with the kind of background you have. Their experience with social responsibility is what they’ve read in a book or learned during college classes. There’s not a single Peace Corps alumni amongst them.”

“Okay…,” I draw out, somewhat uneasy about where this is going.

“I was planning on reaching out to you after the weekend to see if you were interested in coming to work with me. But here you are. It’s like kismet.”

I blink repeatedly. “You want me to come work at Ever Clear?”

“I get it. They’re supposedly the big bad wolf, but theyaredoing good work. Part of my role is making sure all of their projects align with sustainable practices, environmental responsibility, and community impact. My team is in charge ofseveral initiatives to bring clean water to rural communities all over the globe, as well as educating women on the importance of clean water. As you know, clean water disproportionately affects women in many lesser developed countries.”

I nod, all too familiar with the issue facing many of these countries. During my time in the Peace Corps, my focus was on working with women, teaching them ways to enact change in the hopes of decreasing infant mortality rates.

“The pay would easily be four times what you made at AquaPath.”

I all but choke on my saliva. Four times what I made at my last nonprofit job? That’s more than I thought I’d ever make. Hell, it’s more than Carson made at the finance firm.

“I know you said in your email that you were looking for something in the nonprofit sector, but you can still make a difference, even when working for a larger corporation.”

I let her words sink in, my mind racing with possibilities. I’ve been searching for a job, a way to finally stand on my own without relying on anyone else. As grateful as I am to Jude for everything he’s done for me, the truth remains… I still need his help to stay above water.

But the job Becca’s offering would give me the one thing I’ve craved all my life — true independence.

“Where would I work from?” I ask, wanting to get all the information before I agree.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, there will be a great deal of international travel involved. But when you’re stateside, you’ll be based out of New York.”

“Wow. That’s…far.”

“Don’t worry. The company offers relocation reimbursement and can even put you up in one of their corporate apartments while you find something more permanent.”

I nod slowly, taking it all in. “I see.”

“I understand I’ve thrown a lot at you, and while you’re working.” She waves her hand around at the taproom. “Take some time to think about it. But promise you will consider it, Abbey. I said it when we met all those years ago. And I’ll say it again. You’re meant to do big things.”

“Yeah,” I say noncommittally. “Maybe so. When do you need an answer?”

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