Page 86 of Tilly in Technicolor
Tilly scrunches up her nose then reaches up to give me a kiss. I hold her close for a second one.
“Time to go, lovebirds,” Amina says, knocking then opening the door, pretending to shield her eyes. “Get all your odds and ends situated.”
Tilly and I share a glance and silently giggle, then meet Amina and Mona in the hall and follow them out of the hotel.
“So,” Mona says, folding her hands on the table after we’ve all placed our orders. “Amina and I have been talking—”
“I’m sure that’s the extent of it,” Tilly says, giving me a gratuitous wink. I bite my lip hard to not laugh.
“I hate you,” Mona says. Tilly beams.
“As I was saying, we’ve been discussing the future of Ruhe, and we’d like to incorporate you into those conversations.”
Mona and Amina turn to me, and I tilt my head to the side as I listen.
“We’velovedthe work you’ve done this summer, Oliver,” Mona says.
“Blown away,” Amina adds, nodding in emphasis.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth on social media and our online sales. And some of the boutiques we’re working with have expressed interest in using your photos for ads in their stores. We’d like to figure out a way to keep this momentum going after the trip ends.”
I blink at them.
“What we’re picturing,” Amina says, “Is keeping you on as a Ruhe employee, even in a part-time or consultation role.”
“We know you’re starting school soon,” Mona continues,“and I’m sure you’ll be very busy, but we’d like to still pay you to take photos for Ruhe, even if it’s on a non-regular basis. You’ve built up a great image database for us so far, and we’ll continue to use those, but it would be wonderful to keep you on as you’re available.”
I process this, then smile. “I’d love to,” I say, meaning it. “It’s hard to know exactly how much time I’ll have when classes start, but even on weekends or whatever you need. It would actually help me to continue building a portfolio, too.”
“Fabulous,” Amina says, smiling then squeezing my shoulder.
“You’re a dream to work with,” Mona adds.
Tilly’s looking between us, leg bouncing. She’s uncomfortable.
“That leaves you,” Mona says, turning to Tilly. Tilly starts chewing on her lip.
Mona looks at her sister for a long moment, then beams at her. It’s the brightest smile I’ve ever seen Mona wear.
“I’m so proud of you, Tilly,” Mona says, reaching across the table and holding Tilly’s hand. “You’ve had so many clever ideas. Done such a great job in helping us build a fun, exciting website and newsletter that speaks to people your age. I hate myself for underestimating you as much as I did, but you’ve been a huge asset to this team.”
Tilly blinks rapidly at Mona but doesn’t say anything.
Mona clears her throat. “And, if you’re interested, we’d like to make you an official Ruhe employee. Full disclosure, the salary will definitely suck as we try to build capital, and it won’t be the most glamorous job, but we could figure out a way to coordinate with you on work visas or the like if you wanted to stay in London. Stay on with us.”
Tilly’s rapid blinking stops, and she stares with wide, frightened eyes at Mona.
Then she bursts into tears.
“Really?” she sobs. “You really mean that?”
“Of course, love,” Amina says, her voice soft and comforting. “We’d be honored.”
“And I could stay in London?”
Mona nods. “You can stay with me for a bit while we get things figured out.”
“Or me,” Amina says. “I have a two-bedroom flat if you get sick of the couch.”
