Page 121 of See You at the Finish Line

“Dad,” I warn. No one listens to me.

Paige’s smile is sincere, but there’s an edge to it. “I think it’s quite small-minded to assume a job is the only thing that can fulfill our lives, don’t you agree?”

I think we’re all holding our breath now. Did she call my dad small-minded? If I wasn’t in love with her before, I definitely am now.

My dad’s eyes flash with something I can’t place.

“I beg to disagree.” His gaze flicks to me and then back to Paige. “I think having stability and a sense of accomplishment, a sense of making the world better by providing essential care and help, is the most fulfilling thing one can do. It lifts everything in life.”

Paige nods like she’s considering the words.

“Interesting.”

One word. That’s all it takes. That single word holds her disagreement. I trade nervous looks with Isabel. I dare to glance at my mom, who has her glass raised to her mouth. Is she ... smirking?!

“What do you find interesting about that?” My dad’s voice is so calm. Like an ocean before a storm. I don’t think I’veever witnessed anyone but myself challenge him. Though I know my mom does it in private, I’ve never seen it.

“Interesting that you feel a job is the best way to benefit society. I would think that bringing your sons and daughter into the world and raising them to be amazing people would also impact the world in a positive way.”

Holy shit.

“I never said that was not an accomplishment.”

“But not as significant as your career?”

My dad is quiet. My dad.Quiet.

Paige continues when he doesn’t answer. “If you were to lose them, Mr. Ashford, would you still feel fulfilled?” Her voice does not tremble. This time I know the squeeze I give her thigh is of support. I’m not too proud to let my partner fight my battles.

She’s fighting for both of us. I’ll have to thank her later.

“Because I can tell you right now, having lost both my parents, there isn’t a job in the whole damn world that can fill that void.”

My dad stares at her and his stony face softens a fraction.Softens.

“And if you’re telling me that you value your son’s job over his happiness—if you’re tying his happiness to the arbitrary idea of ‘impact’ you’ve deemed acceptable—then you are telling me you really value your own selfishness. Which does not make a positive impact on society, I might add.”

My dad’s eyes widen. How many times have I tried to tell him the same thing? Though I’m not as straightforward.

“So no, to answer your question, I am not fulfilled solely by my job. I love it, yes, but I find value in loving others. In taking care ofthem. In helping them become the best people they can be. Because being a positive influence on someone’s life means I have a positive influence on the world, Mr. Ashford. And I find that very fulfilling.”

Paige takes a bite of coleslaw into her mouth as if she doesn’t care that everyone is staring at her with a mixture of awe and trepidation. I want to kiss her so badly right now.

My dad clears his throat and looks right at me. “I like her.”

“You’re fired,” Maxim sayswithout any emotion.

“Excuse me?” I say, surprised even though I knew this was a possibility. Especially since he's tried to fire me twice already.

“You heard me. You. Are. Fired.” He punctuates each word like I won’t understand him if he doesn’t speak slowly. “You are still within your probationary period, and this cannot stand.”

I marched into Maxim’s office first thing this morning to disclose my relationship with Adam. Fuelled by the weekend and my confrontation with Adam’s dad—and the subsequent gratitude Adam showed me—I was hoping being honest and forthcoming would work in my favour again.

I was wrong.

“Look, Maxim, I understand this is a rule, but there has to be some sort of grey area. What about married couples?”

“Are you getting married?”

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