I sit back. I get that. “And they did.”
“Yes.” He looks pleased.
“But now you have to tell them.”
“I will.”
“And you really want to hire me?”
“You are perfect for what we need. I was going to try to poach you anyway.”
My specific skill set is “dumbing down” the science. I can sit in meetings with scientists and engineers and developers of all kinds and understand every word, but then I can turn around and explain it in regular terms to literally anyone else. From scientists in other related fields to first graders, I can make the science accessible. That means I can get people on board with projects. I can help with marketing a new product, I can help mitigate PR nightmares, I can convince investors to give more money, and I can help educate the public about why they should be supportive and excited about…whatever.
In this case, it would be new green energy programs and projects in small communities.
I would be great at that. I don’t just understand the science. I also understand small towns.
“I would love to work with you, Graham,” I say. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Would you…”
I lift a brow. “What?”
“Would you be willing to work in Sapphire Falls?”
I laugh. “Yes. Are you going to be paying me enough that I can buy my own place?”
He grins. “Yes. Eventually.”
I groan. “How long are we talking until that can happen?”
“We’re thinking spring.”
“It’s November!”
“I know. Sorry. I can loan you some money.”
I shake my head. “No. It’s fine. I have savings I can use if I need to.” My parents have tons of money, and they would happily give me anything I need. “Living with Mom and Dad is fine. There are actually nice things about it.” I grin and reach for a cinnamon roll. “I mean, you’re the second-best baker in the family.”
Our mom owns a bakery in Sapphire Falls, and if I don’t gain at least five pounds living at home, I’m doing something very wrong.
“Hey, wasn’t Clark coming over? I thought you wanted him to meet Ginny,” Margot says.
Clark. It’s weird that Graham’s best friend’s name is the same as the name my guy used last night. That might be a problem for me. Because when I hear it, heat swirls through me and I’m immediately back in that hotel room last night.
Graham nods. “Yeah. Something came up. But you can meet him the next time he visits Sapphire Falls.”
I smile stiffly and nod. “Sure.”
“He’s been a couple of times to check out the town and meet Dad and everyone,” Graham goes on. “But we’ll be making more regular visits now that we’re going to start building the new office and everything.”
“Your mom and dad really like him,” Margot says with a smile.
“They must, since they agreed to go into business with him,” I say. “They’re going to be proud ofyou,though, you know,” I tell my brother.
He smiles. “I know.”
“So when will you guys be in Sapphire Falls next?” Clark must be an interesting guy. My brother is wonderful, and they’ve built Innovative Energy Solutions into something really impressive. But Clark must be the people person because Graham is nerdy, quiet, and a little socially awkward at times.
