"That's the irony," Paul said. "The board removed all timeline restrictions yesterday. You have as much time as you need to complete the research. Your position is secure, though you'll be under review. They're bringing in an external reviewer to validate all findings."
"And the patients?" Finn asked. "Eric andthe others?"
"They'll continue with the protocol under Dr. Herrera's supervision.”
They were in good hands. The best. That fact made this whole thing a little easier to swallow.
"I’m sorry that you won’t be able to see it through until the end," Paul offered.
Finn felt Elena’s eyes on him.
"I can write you a recommendation letter. Your work here has been exceptional, despite... circumstances." Paul finished.
“Thanks,” Finn said, the word coming out rougher than intended.
Paul looked between them. "Look, I know you're both good people doing important work. If it were up to me..." He shrugged. "But it's not."
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur as Paul went over project details with Elena. When they left Paul’s office, they stood in awkward silence in the hallway. Paul had given Elena a laundry list of tasks that had to be done this afternoon. Finn, however, had no plan beyond leaving this building.
She looked at him, and he could see her trying to find the right words. “I have a million things to do right now,” she said, clearly frustrated. “But we’ll get coffee tonight and talk it over. Okay?”
“Okay,” Finn agreed.
He wanted to say more, but what was there to say? He was jobless and she was swamped.
“Seven?” she asked.
“Seven.”
Twenty minutes passed, and Finn had just finished loading his car with the last of the belongings from his desk. He took one last look at the Institute. It felt as though his entire life had led him to this place. And he had no regrets about his time there. But he suddenly felt very empty.
He got in his car without a destination in mind, just needing a drive to help process his situation. The numbers were pretty straightforward. He had been on a research assistant's salary. Rent in Seattle was expensive. So were his student loans. Money was pretty tight even before he lost his job. Now? Now he had enough funds to stay for maybe two more months unless he found a new form of income.
It was only about a week ago that he made the promise to Elena that he wasn’t going anywhere. He meant every word. But if he couldn’t find work, the choice might not be his to make.
It was a lot to figure out. At least he had nothing but time on his hands until seven.
They sat across from each other in a corner booth, two cups of coffee between them.
"Traffic wasn't too bad getting here," Finn offered.
"No, not bad at all."
Finn searched for something else to say, something safe that wouldn't lead them into the conversation they both knew was coming. He decided he was going to say something about the weather.
"Cancel your lease and move in with me."
The words came out of nowhere, cutting Finn off before he could start.
"What?"
Elena leaned forward, her expression determined. "Just until you get on your feet. You have no income, Finn. And I know how expensive rent is here."
Finn set his cup down, trying to process. "Elena, we’ve onlybeen together officially for what, a week? That's pretty fast to be moving in together."
"We already spend most of our time together," she pointed out.
"Working in a lab is a little different than living together," he ran a hand through his hair. "And what about Miguel? We haven't even talked to him about this."
