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“No, Clay.” Elliot held onto the edge of the desk and leaned forward. This man had no professionalism in him at all. “I want you to be my accountant.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Was I hoping that this was going to happen? Sure, but I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t want to assume anything. “You know I don’t work with a firm, right? I have no business license or anything.”
“We’ll make it work, even if I have to pay you under the table.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening.” I stopped him.
“Well then, we will figure something out.”
I chuckled. “Okay, how about this, I’ll help you until you can find a properly employed accountant?”
Elliot smirked. “No deal. I really would like you to be my accountant.”
“Let’s just get these numbers not such a mess at first, and then we’ll talk about it, okay?”
“I could hire you. At least while you’re here, that would be a way to make it legal.” Elliot leaned back in his chair and began to run his thumb nail over his lip, his head lightly nodding.
“You won’t be letting this go, will you?”
Elliot shook his head. “Nope. So, first things first. Let’s get you a W2 and set you up a profile here. Let’s count today as your first official day.” He leaned forward and grabbed his computer mouse, already clicking away.
“You’re willingly hiring me?”
Elliot spun just as a piece of paper came out of his printer. He grabbed it and placed it on the desk, a pen on top of it. “That was always kinda the plan. Welcome aboard.”
Forty minutes later, I had papers signed and a salary agreed on; I was given a quick tour of the office. Elliot promised me my own office, but I simply asked to work from home most of the time, still visit the office of course, but my priorities shifted. I wanted the time with Ophelia. I was upfront with him. I expected him to turn into a “boss” instantly when his eyes narrowed and he gave me a side eye, but then his face formed a huge smile and patted my back.
“I don’t care where you work, as long as my finances get organized.” He laughed.
Then, with a document being sent to my computer with all the information I would need to get started, I sat on the bus, a smile on my face as I came to the fact that I finally had a job. A paying job. I was no longer a bum just crashing on Milo’s couch.
I dug my phone out of my pocket and opened Ophelia’s thread.
Clay: Elliot offered me a job.
The little bubble appeared quickly. I bit my bottom lip, waiting for her response to come.
Ophelia: That’s amazing! Now you get to tell your parents you don’t have to work at Home Depot.
Clay: Speaking of, dinner this Friday with them. You in?
Ophelia: I told you I was. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
I sent back a time I would pick her up and then locked my phone. I couldn’t help but think that everything was coming together because of Ophelia. She was the reason I pulled my head out of my ass. She was simply becoming my everything again, and I knew. . .
I was in love with her.
Chapter Twenty-Six
-Ophelia-
Even though I wouldn’t admit it aloud, the week went very slowly without Clay with me in the studio. I was ready to see him again, ready to have his hand in mine. The perfect way to end the busy week I had.
I pursed my lips, tilting my head to make sure my signature golden hoop earrings were in place, then I added a second layer of gloss to my lips. It was just dinner with Clay’s parents, something I had doneplentyof times in the past, but this time simply felt different.
Paul and Elizabeth Nolan were two of the nicest people I had ever met. They were always willing to have us over for dinner, willing to listen to our dreams,mydreams. Seeing as my parents, who were supportive in their own way, kept to the warmth of Georgia, Paul and Elizabeth were like my second set of parents.
My own parents stayed in their bubble, choosing the humidity over the rainy days Portland had to offer. They had come out for my graduation, meeting Clay then and actually said he was a great choice for me, excited as to what would happen for us, only to curse his name a few years later. I chuckled to myself, shaking my head. I couldn’t help but wonder what they would think of us now.
