Page 113 of Semantics

“Just that if we’d met in a bar or something instead of through school.”

“And you were single?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know what would’ve happened. I guess I’m just glad we ended up here. I would’ve loved that plaque, though. Would’ve looked nice in my cubicle at work when I was just starting out.”

“What? You would have taken it to work with you?”

“My first boss went to that school, actually. Weird coincidence, but he was Dutch. I told him that I went there, and it was fine, but it would’ve been cool to show it off because he didn’t get into the regular business program there, and I got into the much harder one meant for the more advanced students.”

Violet chuckled a little and replied, “Well, for whatever it’s worth now, I’m sorry.”

“Babe, I’m kidding. I don’t care about that anymore,” Stella told her as she sat up.

“I know. I meant that I’m sorry for all of it; how I behaved.”

“Well, I’m sorry for my part in it, too.” Stella said and kissed her. “Now, can we get back to what you’re worried about?”

“I don’t know when their investment will kick in.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can stretch things for the next six or so months, but at our current run rate, we’ll be out of money in five.”

“What? You didn’t tell me that.”

“I may or may not be able to squeeze another month out of it, and I’m glad that they want to meet with us again, but at the same time, if they take a while to approve it and then not give us the money until after that, it could be cutting it close. It’s my fault, really. I thought we’d be okay. I thought we’d get Cerebral implemented quickly, but with the time Arlowe says it’s going to take to get it to work well, it might not make enough of a difference. I don’t want to let them down, but I only have a little left in my savings. I’ve been pulling from my trust fund. I still have some savings left from gifts I got as a kid, but that’s supposed to be my emergency money. I guess this is an emergency, but it wasn’t supposed to get this far, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. I need that money for myself, you know? It was supposed to be for me to live off of, but I’ve put pretty much everything I’ve got into–”

“Hey,” Stella said, running her hand over Violet’s cheek. “It’s going to be okay. Asset will come through.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Will you let me help?”

Violet bit her bottom lip and asked, “How would you do any more? You emailed two VCs. Only one reached out.”

“I’ve got another one I can reach out to, but there are other options, you know?”

“Like what?”

“We don’t have time to talk about it right now. I know you have to go. But just be open to the idea of something else, and I’ll think about it today, okay? Can we talk tonight?”

“We’re dating; we can talk whenever you want.”

Violet kissed her quickly.

“We’re dating, huh?” Stella asked with a smile.

“Obviously.” Violet winked at her. “I’ll text you after the meeting.”

“Wear my clothes home, babe. Save some time.”

Violet smiled softly and asked, “Do you really think it’s all going to be okay? Be honest, Stella.”

“I do.” Stella kissed her this time. “I’ll walk you out. Do you want me to make you coffee or anything?”

“No, I’ll get it at home, but thank you.”