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I laughed and followed after him. When the boss wanted to take me out for a drink, I wasn’t going to argue.
Aaron and I headed to Harvey’s and took two stools at the bar. Happy Hour was getting ready to kick off, but we’d arrived early enough that we got our drinks within minutes of arriving. We shot the shit a little about the flight and the plans for the air show.
“So, now that the F-4 is ready to go, it’s time we talk about your future with the museum,” Aaron said, turning to face me shortly after we’d ordered a second round.
I perked. It was the conversation I’d been waiting to have for the last month. “All right. Let’s talk.”
Aaron grinned. “I’d love to have you come on staff, full time. I think with your experience, speed, and attention to detail, you’ll make a great asset to the business. I have quite a few projects in the works. Most of them are under wraps, which is why I didn’t say anything earlier. But, if all goes through, it looks like the Rosen Air Museum will be launching a second site on the East Coast. I’m planning to keep the shop here in Holiday Cove, but with a second museum to stock, I’m going to need a full time mechanic to keep everything up and running while I focus on acquisition and opening the new museum.”
“Congrats, man, that’s awesome!”
“Thanks. It’s all still sinking in at this point. It’s hard to believe the growth and expansion, but I was made an offer to enter a new market and I couldn’t turn it down. It’s another tourist town but the warehouse space will be double the size.”
I whistled. “Shit.”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “So what do you think? You want to stay on full time? You’ll get a pay bump, vacation time, benefits, all that jazz. Lana is working on the full offer so you can have it in writing. Still, I wanted to start the conversation and see if you’re even interested.”
I couldn’t help but think back to Carly stalking out of my bedroom that morning. The flash of memory threw me out of sync with the conversation.
“You don’t have to answer now. If you need some time to think about it,” Aaron offered, his tone with a little confused.
I held up a hand and gave a shake of my head. “No, no. I don’t need time. I want the job.”
Aaron arched a brow. “I thought so, but…”
“I do. I was just thinking about something else for a second there. It’s been a long couple of days.”
Aaron relaxed and laughed. “I know. I don’t know how Gemma does twelve-hour days all the time. That woman is made of steel or something.”
I joined him in his easy laughter, throwing in my agreement.
“Carly too, she works about that doesn’t she?”
I nodded and paused to take a pull from my long necked bottle. “Yeah. She’s gonna run herself into the ground.” I thought back to my suggestion earlier that morning. “You know anyone that would be looking for a part-time job? I’m trying to get her to hire someone now that Alesha’s leaving and won’t be around to help out.”
Aaron considered it for a moment and then snapped his fingers. “Yes, actually, I do. I have a cashier at the museum. You’ve probably seen her, dark, short hair, probably eighteen, nineteen. Her name is Lindsey and she’s always bugging Lana for more hours. I’ll tell her to go bug Carly for an application. Maybe that will get her going on hiring someone.”
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. I bet Carly’ll be happy to hear you’re staying in town,” he added, grinning at me.
“I sure hope so.”
Aaron set down his bottle. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I’m sure you’re right.”
Aaron eyed me but didn’t push for more information. He polished off his beer with another long swig.
I changed the conversation to the air show and we talked about the other planes that were scheduled to be there with the F-4 and downed a plate of nachos before winding down. When the plate was empty, Aaron checked his phone and sighed. “I should probably call it a night. Damn, it’s not even seven o’clock and I’m done drinking for the night,” he said after pocketing his phone. “I’m turning into Boomer. I used to always make fun of him for being an old man. Now look at me.”
He shook his head as he hopped down from his stool and I followed suit. Aaron settled the tab with the bartender and we headed back to the lot where he’d parked his old Army Jeep. He drove us back up to the museum and pulled up alongside my truck to let me out. “Hey, why don’t you take the day off tomorrow and enjoy the long weekend with Carly and her fam. I’ll see you Monday and we can talk numbers and sign your paperwork.”
