“I’m leaving BoCo. I gave my notice today. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh my god! See!” She leaps out of her chair and practically sprints around the table. “We are on the same wavelength, girl. Me and you. It’s some freaky shit.”
“I’m not sure I understand…”
“I want you to work forme, Tessa. Blow this popsicle stand and join my team. We don’t need BoCo.”
“Wait…” Is she serious? “You’re offering me a job?”
“Yup.” She smacks her lips. “I’m sure there are some legal things to work out in regard to the Aspen campaign since BoCo owns the creative copyright, but I’m willing to buy them out. And steal you away while I’m at it.”
Wow. Just… wow.
“I… don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes, silly!” She twirls, and her multicolored tutu lifts around her waist.
“But I’m moving.” Or so I hope. If Holden and Kaden decide to keep Dean on at the Magnolia Blue, I fully intend on making Montana my home. And if they don’t, I look forward to wherever life takes me, as long as Dean is by my side.
Cali blinks. “Girl, you know this is awork from homejob, right? Unless you want to travel with me from time to time and get the full Cali Nolan experience. Oh, maybe I can get you on a mountain with me. Or in a cave.”
A cave? Hard pass on that.
“You’re serious?” Because if she is, all my dreams will come true in a matter of days.
“I’m so serious. In fact, name your price and it’s yours.”
“Um, okay.” I mull it over for a second and throw out a salary that’s almost double what I make now. Go big or go home, right?
“Okay, but for real.” She gives a bark of laughter. “I’m recruiting you, girl. Tell me what you really want.”
So I do, and she slams her hand on the conference room table.
“Sold! And, of course, that includes health insurance, retirement, and profit sharing.” She rattles off the last sentence like it’s the fine print when it’s anything but.
“Wow. Thank you. I… I’m not sure what to say.”
She bats her lashes. “You’ve already said yes, sunshine. Welcome to the team.”
chapter 26
DEAN
“Let me get this straight,” Dean says after he picks me up from work and drives us toward my favorite restaurant on the outskirts of town. “You negotiated a new job… while on the job… at the job you just quit.”
“Yep. Pretty awesome, isn’t it?” What’s even better is the contract and formal offer from Cali’s team that landed in my inbox just before five o’clock, detailing everything she promised,includinga stipend for my home office. Wherever that ends up being.
He chuckles in wonderment. “You are such a badass.”
“Duh. How do you think I ended up with you?”
He swivels his head to the side, his smile as knowing as the sparkle in his eyes. “I’m so friggin’ proud of you.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here to celebrate with me.”
“Me, too.” Lifting our entwined hands, he kisses mine and then slows the car as we arrive at the restaurant. “Damn. Busy place for a Monday.”
“It’s always like this. Especially on Mondays and Fridays when they get their fresh seafood in.”
