CHAPTER19
Aidan drove down the quiet streets of Sapphire Bay toward David’s home, his fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel. He couldn’t shake the image of Jackie’s warm smile at the opening of her new store just the day before, and he knew what he had to discuss with David could change everything.
Pulling up to his friend’s house, Aidan studied the snow-covered front yard, the smaller footprints crisscrossing the driveway that could only belong to Charlie and Andy, David’s stepsons. So much had happened in David’s life in the last year that it made what was happening in Aidan’s seem much less important.
But it wasn’t. For someone who prided himself on having clear, measurable goals, Aidan’s personal life was a disaster. After he broke up with his previous girlfriend, he’d vowed to tread carefully if he ever met anyone who made him believe he’d found the woman who could make his life complete.
For some reason, all that common sense had flown out the window when he’d met Jackie. Before he knew what was happening, he was head over heels in love with her and, at the same time, considering moving hundreds of miles away.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of his truck and walked up to the front door, giving it a firm knock.
“Hey, Aidan,” David greeted him as he opened the door. “I got your message. Come on in.”
“Thanks for seeing me so early. I need to talk about something and it couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”
David led him into the living room, where they sat on the comfy chairs. “You must have just missed Charlie and Andy at The Lakeside Inn. Diana’s teaching them how to bake healthy snacks for dogs. They want to buy a canoe and selling the cookies will help.”
Despite his nerves, Aidan grinned. “That sounds like they’ve learned something from you and Andrea.”
David smiled. “I just hope someone buys the doggy treats. Otherwise, we’ll have a two-year supply in the garage. How can I help?”
Aidan hesitated while he gathered his thoughts. “I’ve received a job offer from Nordic Technology in Miami,” he began, watching for any reaction from David. “It’s a great opportunity, but I wanted to talk to you about it before I make a decision.”
David’s eyes widened. “That’s something I didn’t see coming. When did they offer you the job?”
“A couple of weeks ago, before I went back to Manhattan. I’d be in charge of the team that’s developing a new exoskeleton for spinal injury clients. It’s ground-breaking work and has the potential to change the way everyone treats any diseases or accidents that impair a person’s movement.”
David nodded. “I saw a documentary about what they’re doing last year. Wasn’t their CEO a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award?”
“She ended up winning it. With the publicity the award generated, Nordic Technology secured funding for the prototype phase. The trials were so promising they’ve had approval to fast-track the project to the next stage. They’ve just started using the technology on people with severe spinal trauma. If that’s successful, they’ll move to full commercial production next year.”
David leaned back in his seat. “They must be offering an attractive package to make you want to leave BioTech.”
Aidan nodded. “They are, but it’s not the salary or the other conditions that’s making the decision difficult. I enjoy my job at BioTech. You’ve allowed me to try different things and encouraged my team to think outside of the box. You don’t find that in many organizations.”
“I want everyone at BioTech to be proud of what they’re doing and reach their full potential,” David told him. “And that includes knowing when it’s time for someone to leave. But I don’t get the impression you’re ready to leave.”
“I’m not. In an ideal world, I’d like to finish the camp and see it open before I move anywhere. If this job hadn’t come up, I would’ve been happy staying at BioTech.”
“If you accept the job, when does Nordic Technology want you to start?”
“At the end of January.”
David sighed. “Now I’ll take off my manager’s hat and speak as your friend. What on earth are you thinking? Your team has achieved so much in the last twelve months. They need you leading them to finish what you started.”
“They don’t need me,” Aidan insisted. “They’re more than capable of implementing the next update.”
“You say that as if it’s a standard upgrade. It isn’t. What happens in March will leave what we’ve done in the past looking like an old dinosaur. What about your brother and your promise to him?”
Aidan wiped his hand across his jaw. “I knew you’d mention that.”
“Someone has to. You’ve worked huge hours to stop what happened to James ending someone else’s life.”
“Once the camp opens, I’ll have achieved what I set out to do. James would want me to do what’s best for me.”
David frowned. “As much as I hate to say this, I want you to do what’s best for you, too. Just promise you’ll give me plenty of notice if you’re leaving. I can’t afford to have your position vacant for months on end.”
Aidan nodded. “I’ll give you enough time to find someone else.”
