Page 15 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
“ . . . should be set to present my revised draft at the end of the semester,” Max was saying. “I’m hoping there won’t be major changes after that and I’ll graduate in May at the latest.”
“Great.”
“Yeah, so long as things go my way. I just want to get it over with and move on, you know?”
I nodded. “I’m sure you’ll get it done.” Closing my tablet, I slipped it into my bag and stood. “Good luck with the paper.”
“Leaving so soon? Aren’t you ahead of schedule?”
By fifteen minutes, in fact, but he’d disrupted my focus, and I wouldn’t get anything done as it was. I might as well head to a coffee shop off-campus and continue my work there.
“Hey, you want to grab drinks sometime? You seem like you need to unwind.”
My stomach churned at the invitation because grabbing drinks never meantjustdrinking. It meant conversations too. Even though he was right about me needing to relax, socializing had the opposite effect on me. Also, I didn’t want to talk about how delayed I was with my own dissertation. “I’ll think about it. Goodbye, Max.”
“Don’t think I won’t ask again,” he called out to my back. “You can’t avoid it! I know where you work, Martins.”
I clenched my jaw as I left the room, taking care to keep my steps unhurried when every part of my being wanted to rush out. Interactions like this always reminded me why I was better off keeping to myself. There were fewer expectations and distractions. Navigating relationships meant exerting significant energy—energy I needed to stay on the right track.
Though as annoying as Max’s follow-ups were, I had to thank him for reminding me not to lose sight of the most important thing.
My goals.
They used to be straightforward. Get my degrees, gain tenure at the university, and build a healthy financial portfolio.
Then I got into investment consultancy last year, and my doctorate took a backseat to my clients. What began as a semester-long break had extended to a full year and counting.
I needed to get back into my dissertation before I lost my edge. Consultancy was rewarding, but everyone knew how volatile the industry was. Completing my PhD would qualify me for tenure, and while the academe wasn’t the most exciting or lucrative career, it would give me the stability I needed. My business, on the other hand, provided an extra financial cushion. It was the perfect combination.
I just wished I didn’t have to write a damn book to achieve it.
chapter six
luna
Kriz
Lulu! I know this is SUPER last minute but can you cook asado for tom? Random craving!
Luna
Sure! Anything else?
Chloe
Banana bread
Kriz
Ooh good idea! I can do a grocery run
Luna
No need, I have to get some stuff anyway
Kriz
Yay, you’re the best!! I’ll venmo you
