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It wasn’t even in the same ballpark of where he’d thought this conversation was going. “Let me get this straight. You want me—” he pointed at himself, “—to be the Director of Research at your university.” He pointed at Jonathan.
“First of all, it’souruniversity. And yes, that’s the general idea.” He took another sip of his drink. “Although, to be fully transparent, there are two other people on our short list. Obviously, you’re at the top, but the decision is not completely up to us. The board of directors also has a say.”
Grant nodded, still trying to wrap his mind around what was happening. “Sure. Makes total sense.”
“If you’re interested, and we hope you’re interested, we can move you to the next step of the interview process.”
Grant nodded again, feeling somewhat like a bobble-head doll. He should probably have thoughts about this offer, or at least some emotions pulling him one way or the other, but he was too stunned to think. So he went with the next best question he could come up with. “What exactly would that entail?”
“Good question.” Jonathan ticked off the list on his fingers as casually as if he were naming things he needed to pick up at the grocery store. “Interview with me and Dr. Ford. A meeting with the research team, who you pretty much know. And an interview with the chancellor. He told me to tell you hi, by the way.” Jonathan dropped his hands to his lap and got more serious. “The main thing you’ll have to worry about is an interview with the board. But, things will move quickly. We’re hoping to have someone in the position by the end of the summer at the latest.”
Conflicting thoughts pulled at him, physically causing his shoulders to slouch. He’d come here with every intention of saying no, but this was different. This was his dream job. When people asked what he wanted to be when he grew up and he could give an imaginary, in-an-ideal-world answer, this was it. This job was the perfect combination of the field work to satisfy his need for adventure and the office work that kept him grounded. And if that wasn’t enough, he’d also get the chance to work directly with the people who could make a difference in the lives of marine animals living in the wild and in captivity. How could he walk away from this?
On the other hand, taking the job would mean leaving here, along with everything he’d come home for. Was he prepared to do that?
“Do you mind if I think about it?”
“Not at all. You’re going to be at Dr. Simmons’ symposium next weekend, right? You can give me your answer then.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great.” Jonathan picked up the menu in front of him. “In the meantime, let’s order some burgers. You say this place is the best?”
“Nothing on that menu will disappoint you.” Grant stared at his own menu, although he had a feeling that with everything else weighing on his mind, he’d hardly be able to taste whatever he happened
to order.
Saturday morning, Molly woke up ready to take on day two of her new life. It was time for her tocarpe diemand adopt anhakuna matataattitude and whatever other catch phrase she’d missed out on in her previous perfectly planned-out existence. This was her opportunity to do whatever she wanted and live her best life.
Although, that best life needed to include unpacking so she wasn’t living out of suitcases for the next three months. It wouldn’t hurt to hit up a grocery store, either. It was hard tocarpe diemwith only half a bag of pretzels left over from her drive down.
But first, she needed coffee.
She popped one of the coffee pods she’d brought with her—thank goodness for that forethought—into her single-serve coffee machine and waited for it to fill the “Beach Hair, Don’t Care” mug she’d found in the cabinet. When it was finished, she clutched the warm mug between her hands and turned, surveying her apartment.
It was small but comfortable. Light spilled in from the giant sliding glass doors, making it feel bright and inviting, and even from where she was standing, she could see the ocean. Which reminded her, she hadn’t taken the time to enjoy her ocean view from her ocean view apartment yet. That problem would get rectified right now.
She pulled open the sliding door and stepped onto the fourth-floor balcony. It was incredible. The sand glistened in the morning sun, and the emerald water sparkled like it was full of jewels. She could smell the salt in the air and hear the faint rhythm of the waves rolling into shore, mixed with the distant cry of a seagull. Sipping her coffee, she let the scene settle over her. So maybe life hadn’t worked out the way she imagined it would, but waking up to this for the next three months didn’t stink.
She walked over to the railing and closed her eyes, breathing in the warm, coastal air and the fresh, new beginning.
“It’s a great view, huh?”
The unexpected voice caused Molly to jump. That was when she realized the ocean-induced tunnel vision had caused her to miss two important things about her balcony. First, her balcony was actually connected to the balconies of the condos on either side of her, divided only by large metal partitions that sloped down as they got closer to the railing.
The second was there were people standing on each of those balconies. To be more specific, there were two women—probably around her age—each standing on her own balcony on either side of Molly’s.
“You must be the new girl,” the bubbly lady on her right said. She had blond hair pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head. “I’m Ellyn. Welcome to the building.”
“Oh, hi,” Molly said, still slightly flustered.
“And that’s Hadley.” Ellyn motioned to the woman on Molly’s left with the long brown hair and the sundress, clutching a large cappuccino style coffee mug.
“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Molly.” She flashed them an awkward closed-lip smile because…had she even brushed her teeth yet? “Sorry, I didn’t notice you were out here.”
“We’re out here every morning. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your morning cup of coffee.” Hadley took a sip from her mug.
“Or two. We’re not judging if you need two cups,” Ellyn added. “In fact, you should start joining us.”
