“I still want to be independent,” Ali added quickly. “I don’t want to just… become Dylan’s shadow, you know?”
“You won’t. You’re too damn smart for that.”
Ali smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing.
“I’ve got some names I can send you,” Kallie said. “And I’ll ask around about apartments. You’d be surprised how many boutique firms in this town would fight for someone with your credentials. You’re licensed in Florida too, right?”
“Yeah. Dual-state certified since last year.”
“Even better,” Kallie said. “Send me your resume tonight, and I’ll make a few calls tomorrow.”
Ali blinked back tears. “Thank you. Really.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait until you see what downtown rent looks like,” Kallie said with a laugh. “Talk soon, Presley.”
As the call ended, Ali set her phone down and leaned back against her pillows.
She wasn’t sure when—or how—she’d tell Dylan.
But for the first time in a long time…the future didn’t scare her.
Ali had just settled in at her desk with a fresh cup of coffee—her favorite mug, chipped at the rim and reading"Accountants Make It Count"—when her phone buzzed.
Kallie:
Check your email. I found someone you need to talk to.
Ali’s stomach flipped. She nearly sloshed coffee onto her keyboard as she set the mug down and opened her inbox. There it was—an email forwarded from Kallie with a short, clipped message at the top:
“Ali, This is Camden Vaughn. Managing partner at Vaughn & Ellis, downtown Orlando. Smart guy, good firm. Boutique-size but with a strong client roster.He’s intrigued. Interview is Friday at 11. Dress like a badass. — K.”
Ali blinked at the screen, rereading the words.
Interview. This Friday.
The email below was short and professional—Camden thanking her for her interest, asking if she’d be willing to set up a preliminary meeting on Zoom. It wasn’t just real now—it washappening.
She clutched the phone to her chest, the kind of giddy nerves bubbling up that made her want to laugh and cry at the same time.
Her fingers hovered over her screen before she typed:
Kallie. Are you magic? Be honest.
The reply came almost immediately:
Nope. Just extremely well-connected and slightly terrifying when I need to be. ?? You’ve got this. Let me know if you need anything before Friday.
Ali exhaled, heart racing, then tapped open her calendar.
Now she just had to figure out:
What to wear,
