When I reach the sixth floor, I say hello to the receptionist then make for my office. But Riya stops me before I reach the door.
“Psst. Heath!” Her bracelets jingle as she calls me over.
“Yes?”
“Did you hear?”
My brow creases. “Hear what?”
“Sandy spilled the beans in the break room. She was grabbing a granola bar, and she said—”
Heels click-clack across the hardwood floor. Emily sweeps her red hair off her neck, waggles her manicured fingers. Jo is beside her, a smile brewing.
“I’ll tell you later,” Riya adds.
“Sure,” I say with a grin as she takes off.
“I have exciting news,” Emily declares, clasping her hands.
I can’t wait to hear that Jo won the post. I couldn’t be more thrilled for my woman. “I hope it’s that you selected Jo Brennan for VP. She’s the best person for the job, bar none,” I say. That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but.
Emily tilts her head and rubs her knuckle against her ear. “Heath, did you just compliment a co-worker and recommend her for a job you applied for?”
Even people can’t wipe the grin off my face today. “I did. She’s energetic and passionate and driven. She’s everything you want.”
Emily gestures for Jo and me to go into my office, so we do, and she shuts the door behind us. The two of them sit on the couch, and I take the chair. Then, I wait. This isn’t my moment.
Emily straightens her spine, sits taller. “Jo is ideal for the reasons you’ve said. She brings all the vigor and passion we need.”
“She does,” I say.
“Thank you,” Jo says, and I can tell she’s holding something in. If it’s a secret, it’s one I want to know.
Emily’s eyes stay on me. “But your knowledge is unparalleled. It’s hard to live without that. Your insight. Your contacts. And you two are an excellent team,” she says. She glances between us, taking a beat, punctuating it with a deep breath. “And so, I hope you’ll be willing to work together as co-VPs.”
I like surprises. They’re fun and keep me on my toes.
And this is a surprise I would have loved a month ago, even a few weeks ago.
But it’s not the job or the life I want.
I’m lucky to have this second chance at love and maybe a second chance at a career too. Most of all, I have a chance to carve out the life I truly crave, and my day in Paris showed me what that could look like. I’m just lucky that I get to take a chance at that life with Jo by my side.
I smile graciously, nod in acknowledgment, then give my answer. “Thank you. I truly appreciate that. But I’m going to decline and give my one month’s notice.”
Jo’s face is mostly impassive, but a smile is sneaking up on her lips. I don’t think it’s because she wants me to quit, but because she’s happy for me that Emily wanted us both to stay.
Emily’s smile, however, vanishes. “Is this because you only want the job if you can have it all to yourself?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “No, not at all. I’m not that egocentric. I’d just rather . . . do other things.”
Jo dips her head, her hair hiding her face as if she can’t stay poker-faced any longer. Maybe the secret is that she’s keeping my secrets. That she knows my heart. Last night I told Jo that visiting the Musée d’Orsay affirmed what I said to her on Friday night.
I love art. But I don’t love my job. And now another career path is calling out to me.
“What sort of other things?” Emily asks.
“I’ll figure that out.” I know the answer, but it’s private and I don’t need to share. What I can share is this: “Some of it will include art market consulting, though, and if I do that, I’ll work remotely.”
Like I’ve been craving.
“Then you’ll consult for us,” she says, unrelenting.
I blink in surprise. For a woman who took more than a month to make a decision, she’s suddenly incredibly decisive.
I laugh. “I will?”
“Yes! You’re starting an art market consulting business. I should be your first client. This last month has shown me what I want for this auction house. I’m greedy and ambitious. I have no problem telling you that. I want HighSmith to be the best. That’s why I considered both of you for the post. You’re both among the best. You both bring something to the table. Heath, if I can’t have you as a co-VP, I’ll take your knowledge and insight as a consultant. I won’t let anyone else have access to your brain.”
Jo smiles broadly now. “It is a very big brain, Heath.”
I roll my eyes.
“So, you’ll do it?” Emily presses. “You’ll consult for us remotely?”
I could play coy. But what’s the point? Consulting is part of my new career path. When I told Jo all the things that I wanted to do next, she said sounds like you’ll have a bunch of side hustles.