Page 39 of It’s Me, but Different
“The rest of your life?”
“The rest of my life,” she confirms. “I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to teach Ana Sofia to ski black diamond slopes all over the world. I want to help Theo with his math homework. Well, maybe not that last one, because you know I was never very good at studies. I guess what I'm trying to say is I want to be part of your family.”
“And if I accept?”
“And if you accept?”
“Harper's offer. Staying at Silver Peaks. Trying this with you.”
“Would you do it?”
“I think so,” I respond, and saying it out loud, I realize the decision is almost made. “I have to think about it a little more, talk to the kids to see what they think, but I'd say you have an excellent chance that I will, Miss Sloane Merriweather.”
Chapter 17
Esme
“Esme Torres speaking,” I answer while watching through the window as my children play with Lumi outside.
“This is Margaret Wilson, from Henderson & Associates.”
The sharp voice of the Denver firm's senior partner brings me abruptly back to reality. Margaret never calls just to see if you're doing well.
“Margaret, how are you?” I ask, though something in her tone immediately puts me on alert.
“I'll get straight to the point, Esme. I need your answer about the offer we made you to become a partner at the firm. And I need it now. We have three other candidates waiting, and the partners' committee meets tomorrow morning to make the final decision.”
I collapse onto the couch with my heart pounding so hard I start to feel it in my temples.
“Margaret, I thought I had until Friday to…”
“Plans have changed,” she interrupts me with that coldness that characterizes all her negotiations. “We need the answer now, or I'll contact the rest of the candidates. Esme, you're a very good lawyer, we all know that, but you're not the only one. We also want commitment to the firm, and you're not showing it,” she adds.
The phone practically slips between my fingers. Through the window, I can see Silver Peaks' snowy mountains starting to glow under the sunset light. Surrounded by this beauty, Margaret's aggressiveness seems even more shocking.
“Would there be any kind of flexibility in the schedule in case my children need it?” I ask, though I've practically decided to accept Harper's offer and stay here.
Margaret lets out a dry laugh, as if what I just said amused her greatly.
“Forget that shit, Esme. If you want to be a partner, work like a partner. Whatever hours it takes. You earn a lot of money, yes, but a lot is also demanded. From now on, your life is the firm. If it's any consolation, kids adapt; they always do. You'll have more money to keep them happy with the latest consoles and all those silly things they like. I don't know, because I don't have children,” she adds, hanging up before I can respond.
I stare at the phone in my hand like an idiot. I have one afternoon left to decide my life.
But actually, the decision is already made.
These days at Silver Peaks, watching the happiness on my children's faces, have been special. Seeing Ana Sofia enjoy herself while pushing herself to improve on the ski slopes or Theo lose that constant sadness he's carried since Luis's death… has made me see reality. Money isn't everything. I want to be present in their lives. I want them to grow up in a place where they can breathe fresh air and, above all, where they can be children.
Harper's offer is perfect. A job I'm passionate about, tranquility, a good place to raise my children, and enough money, considering how cheap it will be to live in Silver Peaks.
And also. Sloane.
Sloane, who seems to have matured.
Sloane, who seems to adore my children.
Sloane, who last night made me feel alive in a way I no longer remembered.
I just need to talk to Harper to clarify a couple of practical details and I'm ready to tell the Denver firm to keep their job offer. Because my heart is already here, at Silver Peaks.