Page 59 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
“Right.” I should get a plaque with those exact words and hang it in front of my desk. Maybe that would keep me going when the writing process grew tedious. I gave myself a week of research until the motivational words became necessary.
“Are you taking a leave from your classes?”
“No.” I took another drink.
“Your consultancy, then?”
“Also no.”
His jaw dropped. He shook his head. “You’re out of your mind. You know that, right?”
“I can’t take time off now. We’re in the middle of a bull run.” The market was trending upward, and experts predicted investments would reach an all-time high early next year. It was arguably the worst time for me to work on my dissertation, but it was also my final opportunity to do so if I wanted to finish my doctorate in Sterling.
I drained my beer and signaled the bartender for another.
“Do you not see the problem in this scenario?” Max asked, his brows drawn together.
“Of course I do,” I said. “But I have an assistant to make things more manageable.”
“That person better be a damn pro.”
Harry would do. What she lacked in experience, she compensated for in eagerness to learn. Thankfully, she was a quick study.
“How many associates do you have?”
“None.”
He put down his bottle with a thunk. “Certifiable,” he muttered. “You could drop the lectures, at least. That would buy you a little more time. Preserve your sanity.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You’re a stubborn one.” There went the head shaking again. “Anytime you need help or a round of beers, you let me know.”
“I appreciate the offer, Doctor Thorpe,” I told him.
Max’s face morphed into a grin. “Damn, that sounds good. It still feels unreal, let me tell you that.”
“I can imagine. Congratulations again. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“Thanks. Next year, it’ll be your turn.”
I nodded but said nothing. In theory, I’d taken one step closer to that goal by reapplying, but the reality of it felt as distant as ever.
“You know what else feels unreal?” Max pointed at me. “You socializing more. Tell me the truth—did you come off a breakup or what?”
Any other time, I would have avoided such a personal question. But Max had become a friend these past months and I saw no harm in answering. “My best friend moved to a different country last year.”
His eyes widened. “Oh, yeah. Jason Meyer’s girlfriend, right?”
“He’s Tala’s boyfriend.”
“That’s what I said.”
“No, it wasn’t.” I drank my beer while I let my meaning sink in.
He nodded slowly. “I got it. Didn’t know you were such a feminist.”
“I admire people who make their own path, regardless of their gender.”
