‘I was Uptown for a meeting this morning, so I decided to just come home for lunch. And I could say the same for you,’ she replied arching an eyebrow. ‘What’s going on? Why areyouhome? Let me guess, did the office lose power because of this weather? I swear, I don’t know why more backup generators aren’t used. The threat of data loss alone—’
Greg smiled and cut her off. ‘No, babe, nothing like that. Actually—’
‘Then why … what happened?’ Karen’s face changed suddenly. ‘Oh crap, did you get fired? Did they fire you? Is this about that one account of yours? Carmichael, that son-of-a-bitch … ’
Greg had to admit, he loved her intensity and the way her mind worked, but sometimes she could be really dramatic. With event marketing he guessed it came with the territory. ‘Karen, honey, no. I didn’t get fired. Everything is OK.’
‘Oh thank goodness. Don’t do that to me ever again.’
She took a deep breath and raised a hand to the back of her hair, as if making sure she was still well put together in light of her recent scare.
.
‘It’s not that. Like I said, I didn’t get fired,’ he continued, unable to resist a smile. ‘Actually, I quit!’ He laughed as if the admission out loud had allowed his soul to take flight right there in the middle of their foyer.
The smile dropped from Karen’s face. ‘You what?’
Greg grinned even more brightly. ‘I quit. I told them all to shove it this morning. I’m not going to go through another holiday season working eighteen-hour days and missing out on life. I have bigger and better things to do, we both do. Like my folks always say, we should work to live, not live to work. And now you and I have the opportunity to spend more time together, and I can help Dad out more too, try and make things easier for everyone. So what do you think?’
He reached forward and pulled Karen towards him, encircling her with his arms, but she didn’t melt into his embrace like she usually did. Greg looked at her, suddenly nervous.
‘Well I … don’t know what to think.’
He frowned. ‘But I thought you’d be happy. You’re always talking about how we can never go anywhere as a couple because I’m forever stuck at the office. That’s all changed now.’
‘Greg, I’m happy foryou, but not happy forus.’ she said shortly. ‘You didn’t tell me you were going to do any of this; I thought we’d be making decisions together by now. This … you quitting your job is a big deal, one that really affects our future. A one-income household … ’ she shook her head.
Money … was that all she was worried about? Greg felt relieved.
‘Oh honey,’ he grabbed her hands and held them. ‘Things will change a little, that’s all, just for a little while. Maybe not so much eating out, or as many cab rides … no big deal.’
‘Not as many cab rides … youareplanning on working somehow?’
Greg barked a laugh. ‘Of course I am. I was just getting round to that bit.’ He smiled. ‘I can’t believe you thought I was just going to turn into some unemployed bum … ’
Karen exhaled. ‘Phew. So have you been interviewing? Why didn’t you tell me? Is this about that executive position at Wells Fargo? I remember you mentioning it to your dad ages ago, but then didn’t hear anything about it. It is, isn’t it?’ She smiled broadly. ‘Oh, Greg, this is fantastic – we should go to St Barts for Christmas to celebrate!’
Not meeting her gaze, Greg grimaced.
Indeed, he had spoken briefly to his dad and Karen about an open position at Wells Fargo a while back. He had even interviewed for it, and had been offered the job, but ended up passing on it. In essence, while the move would have been vertical, it would have meant even longer hours, the last thing he wanted. He didn’t think that taking it would have improved anything other than his bank account. Because of this, he had never mentioned his decision on the offer to Karen. He knew he should have, and realised now it was a sort of sin of omission – but really, what was the point in bringing it up in the first place? Especially if he had already decided it wasn’t for him?
And as for going to St Barts for Christmas this year with everything else that was happening? Not a chance.
He pulled away gingerly and looked down at her glowing face, now realising that maybe he should have told her about the Wells Fargo decision, or even in advance of the choice he had made today. Did he mess this up?
‘Actually, this isn’t about the Wells Fargo position,’ he replied. ‘Come on, let’s go in the living room. I’ll tell you all about it.’
He led the way down the hallway that opened up into the entertainment-friendly kitchen-cum-living room. Karen followed him hesitantly, as if she was Superman and he had just offered her a surprise that might well be laced with Kryptonite.
‘Come on, babe, sit down,’ Greg smiled encouragingly as he took her hand and led her to the Pottery Barn couch that she’d insisted they get a month ago. Karen had moved into the townhouse over a year before, and since then he had accumulated considerably more than twice as many possessions. He thought back quickly, trying to remember if he had put that piece of furniture on a credit card or had paid cash for it.
It was cash, he recalled eventually, feeling slightly better that it wasn’t accruing interest right that minute.
Karen sat down and crossed her legs. ‘OK, so if it’s not Wells Fargo, where is it?’ She was still talking interviews. ‘Where’s the new position, and when do you start?’
‘Well, actually I start today,’ he said simply. He had felt so confident this morning that she would be excited by his decision, by his choice to be his own boss. Now he hoped he hadn’t been wrong and overplayed his hand.
Her eyebrows went up. ‘Today? You quit your job today and you are going to start somewhere new?’ She pulled up the sleeve of her suit jacket and looked at the Movado watch he had bought her last Christmas. ‘But it’s almost two o’clock. How are you starting a new job today?’
