Page 36 of Clear Shot

AIDEN: That’s bullshit, Hana. You know it is.

HANA: I want to hear what they have to say and see if there’s growth potential. If there is, it might be a worthwhile sacrifice. Start low, learn the ropes, and then move in for the kill.

I can’t help but chuckle.

She always makes me laugh.

One of the reasons we’ve always gotten along so well.

AIDEN: They’ll be lucky to have you. Remember that. Don’t short change yourself—you don’t have to settle.

HANA: Thank you. I appreciate hearing that. I wasn’t sure how things would work between us going forward after our…conversation.

AIDEN: Nothing has changed in terms of my willingness to help you.

HANA: You’re a good guy, Aiden.

AIDEN: Sometimes.

HANA: All the time. You shouldn’t sell yourself short either. Not many people would do what you’re doing for me.

AIDEN: Don’t waste the opportunity, okay? We’re in this awkward situation, so take advantage of it and get the job you want, the one you deserve. Why else are we doing this?

There are probably a dozen reasons.

We just don’t want to talk about them.

HANA: I’ll see you Thursday.

AIDEN: Good luck.

Funny thing is, I don’t mean it.

For some reason, I don’t want her to move to California.

It’s selfish as fuck, and I’m probably an asshole for wanting her to stay even though we’ve agreed we don’t have a future together.

The thing is, right now she’s mine.

My wife.

My woman.

And as crazy as it sounds—even to me—I’m not letting her go unless and until I absolutely have to.

Chapter 13

Hana

The interview went wellbut the more questions I asked, the less interested I became. Everyone I spoke to was lovely and the offices are impressive, but the salary is less than I was making in Philadelphia and the cost of living in San Jose is much higher. They also wanted me to be based in California, which I’m reluctant to do. If I’m going to stay in the US, I want to at least have the freedom to spend time with my brother and Claudia.

My conversation with Aiden also left me feeling conflicted.

I don’t want to take any job—I really do want to find the right fit that could potentially be long-term. But that would mean staying with Aiden longer and I don’t know how we’re going to manage since the chemistry between us is still intense. Frankly, I don’t know how we’ll go a month without jumping each other’s bones, much less a year.

And while I shouldn’t care if he sleeps with other women, I do.

Because it could impact my visa.