Marjorie beams. As a proud alum, praising Monarch is one sure way to her heart.
Geraldine brings out a hot dish. She lovingly describes the recipe: ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and tater tots. Yum. I dig in, while Mats looks at his serving like it’s going to bite him.
Do you have career plans beyond college, Mats? Marjorie asks.
He puts down his fork and straightens, like he’s been waiting for this question his whole life. Or maybe he was just waiting for an excuse not to eat.
Absolutely. My parents run a boutique financial planning firm. My dad used to be a stockbroker, so he taught my brother and me a lot about the stock market. Most of my summer jobs have also been in finance. Once I graduate, I’m going to get a job in personal finance or sports management. When my brother retires from hockey, we’re going to go into business together.
What kind of business? she asks.
We’d like to help professional athletes manage their money. Because you only make big money for a short time, you have to be smart about it.
My mouth opens and closes with no sound. His plan is beyond impressive. Even my most organized friends don’t have a vision like this.
Mats continues, So far, Adrian’s career hasn’t been as big as he’d hoped, but we realized that makes his case even more compelling. If we can invest his league minimum salary into a portfolio that will guarantee him a solid base for the rest of his life, it would be a great example of what we can do.
Marjorie nods approvingly. No wonder you ask me so many questions about my career. You’re trying to learn all the time. Do you study business here?
Actually, I’m studying philosophy. But I take economics courses too.
Philosophy? That seems like an odd choice, she comments.
One of my mentors recommended it. He said that creative thinking is more important for entrepreneurs than knowing business terminology.
Very wise. Please feel free to come to me anytime you need a reference or referral, she urges.
As Mats thanks her, I cram more food into my mouth so nobody can ask me about my life plans. I have none. Unless you count the drunken night when Becks and I decided to open one of those female-centric sports bars. Our plan, written on a cocktail napkin, is guaranteed not to impress Marjorie or Mats. Luckily, the rest of the meal passes without any more questions about careers or our imaginary relationship.
On the drive home, Mats turns to me with a scowl. I was pretty shocked at that whole story you invented about how we met. I didn’t think you had it in you.
You make that sound like a bad thing, I reply.
Yeah. Usually when you lie, you blush or get twitchy. At least, that’s what I thought.
Oh. I’m a terrible straight-up liar, but I am good at embellishing to make a story better. I learned from the best; my dad’s stories got better with each telling.
Mats’s full lips extend into a sulky pout that’s, frankly, kind of hot. But that doesn’t explain how you came up with that whole story about watching me at practice.
This cross-examination is irritating, and I narrow my eyes at him. Why does this bother you so much? I saved both our asses back there.
He frowns as he looks at the dark road ahead. I don’t like lying. Or phony people.
I laugh. Don’t worry. It was all true. Well, true to some extent. You can tell from the story of how we picked you up in Minnie—the basics are true.
Wait. You used to watch me practise? he demands.
Yeah. I hesitate about sharing the next part, because Mats gets pissed when I mention my brother. I used to watch Jordan’s practices. I wanted to see how he looked relative to the rest of the team. And that’s when I saw you. You were so good.
Mats’s eyes widen. Really? So, everything really happened? Even the gym part?
Fuck yeah. One of the highlights of my week. Clearly, Mats never saw me any of those times.
I look at his handsome profile in the darkness of the car. There’s one more truth that I’m happy not to reveal. Before I hated Mats, I might have had a tiny crush on him. I was never going to ask him out, but if he had asked me?
My answer would have been Abso-fucking-lutely.
10
