I make a face. I hate when he whistles at our children like they’re animals.
I hate it more when it works.
Since we have perishables, we decide to hit a drive thru on the way home. By the time we’re driving home, both boys are asleep in the backseat, mouths open, heads tipped awkwardly against their car seats.
I bite my lip.
“So, uh,” I start. “You remember Jeremy?”
Logan tilts his head. “From college?”
I shake my head. “No. From that symposium thing you took me to years ago. He runs BayCare Security.”
“Oh,” Logan says. “Yeah. He was there with his wife.”
I nod, nerves bubbling up. “He’s divorced now. Apparently, his ex got his business partner in the divorce, and he kind of… offered me a job. Well,” I lift a hand quickly, “his job. The business partner’s.”
The words start spilling out faster.
“I mean, I’m obviously not qualified for the position, but he can’t afford a big salary right now. When he heard I’m not working right now, he offered it to me. I know it’s been years, but at one point I was actually good at my job and-”
“Babe,” Logan cuts in gently. “You’re rambling.”
I inhale slowly, then exhale.
“So… what do you think?” I ask. “About me going back to work.” I lick my bottom lip. “The kids are in school and programs until three anyway. And his office actually has daycare, so…”
“You’ve been thinking about this,” he says.
I nod.
“Wow,” Logan says. “I didn’t know you wanted to go back to work.”
I shrug. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
“Right,” he says, turning onto our street. “Well… nice.”
Nice.
“What?” I ask.
I don’t exactly need his permission, but I’d expected more than that. Some enthusiasm. Some reassurance. Something.
Jeremy runs a business similar to Logan’s, but he’s not a competitor. And Logan himself once said he was a good guy.
“Yup,” Logan says as he parks the car. “Nice.”
Then he turns in his seat and softens his voice. “Boys. Boys. We’re home.”
The kids groan, then immediately perk up when he mentions the food. They scramble out of the car, laughter echoing down the driveway.
I stay where I am for a second, watching.
Nice.
That word digs in deeper with every passing minute.
We bring the groceries inside. Eat at the counter while the boys chatter nonstop. Get them bathed and tucked into bed. Feed the dogs. Lock the doors.
