“Of course he did,” I say softly. “It was a good idea. It just didn’t work out.”
He nods sharply. “So after that, I kind of… rethought things. I cooled off. And like a half hour ago, I went to see him.”
“What did he offer you?”
“A job.”
Hope starts to bloom inside of me. “A job?”
“Not with him,” Howard says. “But at Google. I start as soon as I graduate. I have the paperwork already. He works fast.” Howard laughs a little bit.
“He got you a job at Google?”
“And some money.” He grins at me. “Less than he originally offered, but this job… it’s worth so much more than money.”
I smile a little. “Congratulations.”
“This isn’t how I wanted it to happen, but I don’t care. Google! It’s my dream job.”
“Good, that’s great.”
“So anyway, he told me to come here and tell you. And to apologize to you. And now I did.” He’s grinning, clearly still excited about the job offer. “I guess it’s done with.”
“Right.”
“Anyway, good luck, Clara. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Thanks.” I stand up and he walks past me, back through my apartment. I follow after him, drifting on clouds.
“See you later,” he says, and leaves.
I stand there like a moron, staring at the door.
Mac’s silent for about thirty seconds before bursting out: “Well, what did he say?”
“He’s not telling anyone,” I say softly. “Jason… got him a job. Bribed him into silence.”
“Wow,” Mac says, laughing. “No shit. How’d he manage it?”
“I don’t know,” I say, opening the door. “But I have to go talk to him.”
“Good luck!” she calls after me as I run down the steps, out to the sidewalk, and hurry toward Jason’s house.I’m out of breath as I bound up his stoop. I knock on the door twice and it opens almost immediately.
“Clara,” he says, surprised. “I was just about to—”
I throw myself at him. I toss my arms around his neck and pull him against me, kissing him deep and slow.
He kisses me back, pulling my body against his.
We break apart after a moment. “Come inside,” he says softly.
I follow him into his apartment. He shuts the door behind me, smiling. “I’m sorry I left you hanging,” he says as I turn to him.
“You asshole,” I say. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeats, coming closer to me. “I had to scramble to get everything together. I guess you talked with Howard already.”
“Google? Really?”
“Their CEO owes me a favor,” he says, shrugging. “It cost me a lot, cashing a favor in like that, but…” He trails off.
I have tears in my eyes. I hate myself for it, but I can’t help myself.
He comes to me, pulls me against him, “It’s okay,” he says softly.
“No, it isn’t. We’re just going to keep getting caught and sooner or later, you won’t be able to bribe your way out of it.”
“No,” he whispers. “That won’t happen.”
“Jason,” I say, looking up into his handsome eyes. “We can’t. We can’t keep going on like this.”
“I love you, Clara. I’m not giving up on you.”
The words feel like hammers against my body. I stare at him, and the tears really come, rolling down my cheeks. “I love you, too,” I manage to say.
He wipes the tears away and hugs me close. “I love you, Clara. We’re making this work. I promise.”
“How?” I whisper back, voice choked.
“I’m quitting the university.”
I step back. “What?”
“I don’t need it anymore,” he says. “I got what I came for.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I got you.” He smiles at me. “I came here looking for talent, and I found it. You’re what I need, Clara.”
“Jason, I…”
“Stop. Listen.” He steps closer. “You’re smarter, more talented, better than any of those guys. You’re the best on this campus, Clara, by far. I need you. I want you to be my partner.”
“Partner?” The word feels like lead in my mouth. I don’t even know what it means.
“We’ll work on my project together and we’ll split it all, fifty-fifty. I’ll be the money, and you’ll be the brains. We’ll do this together, for real.”
“Together,” I whisper.
“Always.” He steps closer and kisses me softly.
I linger in that kiss, my mind whirling like mad.
He loves me. He wants to give half his company to me.
And I love him too. The thought of not being with him drives me insane. I hate thinking about not being near him at all times. I can’t picture my life without Jason now.
“Yes,” I say, breathless, when the kiss ends. “I’ll do it.”
“Good.” He kisses me one more time. “We’ll build something together, Clara. After this semester is over, we won’t have to hide anything. I’ll step down, you’ll finish your degree, and then…”
“Then we’ll just be together.”
“That’s right. Together, us against the world.” He grins at me.
“Just the way I want it, Daddy.”
He kisses me slow and hard.