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“It’s late.” She yawns and I smack my palm against my forehead.
“Shit, Eden, sorry. Did I wake you?”
“No, I was reading, but Walker’s asleep. Give me a sec.” From the rustling and click of what could be a door, it sounds like she’s moving to where she can talk. “Okay, what’s up?”
“I was talking to Gus, and he told me you’re meeting tomorrow to discuss Brent.”
“Yes. That weasel is causing no end of problems, and I have a sinking suspicion he’s up to no good.”
“Tell me how I can help.”
“You can’t right now, but once we know what we’re dealing with…”
“Keep me posted.”
“You got it. Are you still in LA?”
“Did Gus tell you?”
“Yes. That was cool of you to step in like that.”
“I’m not so sure. In some ways, it was selfish. I’m going crazy doing nothing.”
“What? I thought you liked things that way. No commitment, no working the grind, no—”
I cut her off before she goes on this usual teasing jag. “All right, I get the picture and I’ll have you know I’m changing, maybe even growing up.”
“No, don’t do that. I like you just the way you are. But seriously, what do you mean you’re changing?”
“I don’t know. I need a job, but I don’t wantanyjob. I want something I’ll enjoy, where I’ll make a difference.”
“Wow. I get it but I’m kind of surprised to hear this from you.”
“Ouch. That hurts.” I rub at the center of my chest as if she’d jabbed me there.
“Sorry. I don’t mean it like that. I kind of envied how you didn’t go the traditional route. You know how to live life, and your work…well, it’s just a way for you to pay the bills.”
“Whoa, don’t get too ahead of yourself. I’m not saying I want to become a workaholic. I’ll never live for my job. Uh-uh, that isn’t me. But I want something more than floating.”
“Sounds like you want roots. If so, why don’t you come work with me?”
“What? I don’t know anything about what you do.” I click off the TV.
“That isn’t true. You’re great at relationships and strategy and”—she pauses and resumes in a more mock-pondering tone—“I think you might be good with numbers.”
I snort at her poor sense of humor. “I’ve got a mathematics degree, Eden.” She already knows this, but it deserves repeating if only for the purpose of her joke. “I’m phenomenal with numbers.”
She giggles. “Tom, I’d love to have you on my team. I need someone I trust and who will tell me like it is.”
Eden runs a small consulting firm, working with mainly young entrepreneurs and start-ups.
“What? You’re already tired of all the ass-kissers that work for you?”
“No, it isn’t like that. I need a second-in-command and you’d be perfect.”
“And have you thought about what Walker would say?” I’m joking because Eden doesn’t ask for permission from anyone, but the question is valid.
“No. Why would I? Besides, he’d agree that it’s a great idea.”
