“Don’t do that because of me,” Edna insists.
“It’s done. We’re not leaving you.”
“Ever,” I reiterate.
Aiden
“Sweetheart, why don’t we go home? You can get cleaned up, we can grab a bite to eat, and then you can come back up here,” I whisper so that I don’t wake Edna. It’s four o’clock in the afternoon. We’ve been here all day, and we’re both exhausted.
“I’m not leaving, Aiden.”
My cell rings for the hundredth time in my pocket.
Lizzie kisses my cheek. “Answer it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Go. And bring me back a Diet Coke.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and slip out the door. “Hello?”
“Aiden, it’s Ryan. I have some great news.”
“Now really isn’t a good time,” I say, dragging my hand through my hair.
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m at the hospital with my neighbor. She had a heart attack and—”
“I’ll be quick,” he says. “We want you to relocate.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t say no just yet. I know it’s a big step, but it’s something we’ve talked about before.”
“Years ago, when I first started designing for you.”
“And now the time for that conversation has come. We want you here permanently as head of the gaming division. It comes with a fat raise, a corner office, and we’ll pay for all of your moving expenses. Aiden, this is the chance of a lifetime.”
Holy shit. This is my dream. This is what I’ve always wanted. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“Ryan, I—”
“Don’t say no. Finish up whatever you’re taking care of, then call me. In the meantime, I’ll pull together some final numbers. Tell me you’ll think about it.”
“I’ll think about it.”
There’s a pause, and then Ryan says, “This is a once in a lifetime chance, Aiden. Young men all over the world would kill for this opportunity.”
“I know.”
“Livewire is one of the top gaming companies in the world, and within the next few years, we’ll be seated at number one. We want you on our team when we get there.”
“Get me the numbers, and I’ll think about it.”
“Attaboy. We’ll talk soon.”
I end the call, shove my phone into my pocket, and laugh. I can’t believe this is happening. A top spot at Livewire and not just as a designer, but head of the gaming division. This is huge. Huger than huge. This is lifechanging.