No Strings

“You can’t steal someone’s husband. He obviously wanted to be with her. Besides, we’re no longer married. Our divorce was finalized today, and I moved my stuff out.”

“And you really let him get away scot-free?” When I told her I would agree to whatever Neil wanted, she offered to hire a lawyer to fight him. Since he cheated, she thought I’d have a shot at walking away with some money and maybe even the house.

“I don’t want anything from him. None of it was ever really mine.” It might’ve been my dream—the doting husband, the loving home, the kids, the dream job—but it wasn’t my reality, and fighting with him over stupid, materialistic possessions wasn’t going to change anything. Our relationship was over several months ago when he turned to another woman instead of his wife.

“You’re a better person than I am. What are you going to do now?”

My stomach sinks at her question. “I don’t know. Start over… For tonight, I plan to just check into a motel.”

“A motel? No way! Move here.”

“What?” She can’t be serious. She lives in New York, almost a thousand miles away.

“Our CFO retired unexpectedly, and Lucas and my dad have been interviewing people to replace him. It’s perfect timing! You’ve spent the past four years working for a construction company. You’re more qualified than anyone they’re interviewing.”

“Brianne, you’re crazy! A CFO? Me?”

“Yes, you! You’re a freaking math genius! You could move here and start fresh. Plus, you know how much I miss you. And you would love living in New York.”

She’s lost her mind. That has to be it. I can’t possibly pick up and move my entire life to the East Coast. At the same time, is it really such a crazy idea? Not to work for her family’s architecture and construction company because there’s no way they would actually hire me, but to move to New York. I’ve only been there twice, but she’s right. I did love it.

“I’m a licensed CPA in Tennessee,” I point out.

“So, you’ll transfer it to New York.” She’s quiet for a moment before she says, “I texted Lucas, and he said he can interview you tomorrow.”

“I can’t fly out there tomorrow!”

Brianne laughs. “Through video chat, silly. Although I hate the idea of you staying at a motel and am tempted to get you on a flight out tonight. I’m not sure if the company jet is in use…”

“One, I’m fine staying at a motel.” I’ve lived in worse. “Two, are you serious? He’s willing to interview me? This isn’t a pity offer, is it?”

“Savy, you’re practically the smartest person I know, and when it comes to math, you might as well be an alien. You can do math in your head quicker than I can with a calculator. You got your degree and MBA in the time it took me to get my single design degree. Sharp Architecture and Construction would be lucky to have you. This is not a pity offer. This is a smart business decision with the bonus of having one of my best friends living in the same zip code as me.”

I can’t be considering this. It’s insane. Absurd. Senseless. Yet…

“I would have to find a place to live.” New York isn’t cheap, and it’ll take time to save—

“Shut up! You’d live with me, of course! I have the extra room, and my father owns the building, so if you want to live on your own once a place opens up, you can. He would rent to you for cheap since you work for the company. And before you argue, he does it for all of our employees. There’s also a garage where you can park your vehicle. Though I would recommend you sell it since having a car here is kind of pointless. It would give you some extra cash in the bank.”

“Bri.” She has this all figured out, and I can’t think of a single reason to say no. I might not have the marriage, or the family, or the love, but at least I could have a career, which would allow me to create my own future without depending on anyone but myself. Maybe I set my expectations too high. Instead of looking for love, I should’ve been working for security. Love got me a broken heart, but a career will give me stability, which is more important.

“Eeek!” she shrieks when I don’t come up with a new argument. “It’s totally happening. You’re moving here!”

“You don’t even know if your brother and father will hire me.” She might be a part of the company, but her brother and father own the other two-thirds. Brianne focuses on what she loves—design—and leaves them to make the business decisions.

“Oh, I know they will. The interview is just a formality. What do you say?”