“The Parthenon,” I repeat.
“Yeah. Remind me why there’s a Parthenon replica in Nashville?”
“I really couldn’t say.”
“Can we go?” he asks. “I have so many questions.” And since I’m with love with him, of course the answer is yes.
We pack up our suitcases now so we can grab them and head to the airport right after our excursion. Jerry and Dad spent New Year’s Eve at Jerry’s sister’s lake house, and I’ve already bidden them farewell, no clue when I’ll see them next, or where I’ll be coming from when I do.
On the drive to midtown in Dad’s car, Alex and I are mostly quiet. I don’t know what he’s thinking so hard about, but for the first time in a while, I know my own mind.
Alex is my person. You don’t keep secrets from your person, especially not ones they’re wrapped up in.
I have to tell him about the acquisition, today.
Other than one field trip in middle school, I’ve never paid much attention to the Parthenon, but now that I’m really considering it, I have to admit it’s pretty cool, all sprawling and stately. When Alex and I get out of the car, we look at it, then awkwardly glance at each other, and then look back at the Parthenon. Simultaneously, we burst out laughing.
“Well.” I gesture. “There it is!”
“Can you go inside?”
I check my phone. “Closed today.”
Alex nods, his hand shooting out to grab me. “This Parthenon,” he murmurs in my ear, still laughing, “is somehow both exceeding and falling wildly short of my expectations.”
“Artdoesmirror life,” I quip.
The buzz of my phone dissipates the electricity snapping between us.
“That your folks?” Alex asks.
But that ringtone isn’t for a phone call; it’s a corporate call through our company chat app from the recruiter assigned to my job application. Together, Alex and I look down at her name blinking across my phone screen.
“It’s New Year’s Day,” I say, shell-shocked.
“Answer it,” he whispers, letting me go.
With shaking fingers, I accept the call and press my phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Casey? Sorry for calling so late. Or—wait, I guess it’s not that late for you?” Her voice is clear and distinctly British.
“It’s four thirty.” I gulp. “In the afternoon.”
“Oh! Great. I justhadto let you know as soon as I got word! LC is officially offering you the travel cost manager position.”
Alex overhears. He grins wide, pulling me against his chest.
“Oh.” I readjust my phone, slippery in my palm. My heartbeat isbeat, beat, beating against my eardrums. “That’s great to hear.”
“Yes! I’m sure you’re busy, but I thought telling you now would be a nice holiday surprise before we all get slammed with work tomorrow. We’re offering a twenty percent increase on your current salary. The start date would be the Monday of the first week of fiscal February, so I think that’s, like, the last couple of days of calendar January. I know it’s soon, but we’re very eager to have you.”
“Okay.” I am numb.
One month.
One month one month one month—
“I’m going to send over an email with the offer letter, the benefits, the moving support package, work visa information, et cetera. Take a look at the documentation and we’ll talk tomorrow. Okay?”
