Page 132 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“Do you want me to leave?” Annie asked.

“No. I’d like your opinion, too.” Plus, she might be a buffer in case I upset Emma. While Emma had loosened up from her previous rigidity of making all my choices for me, what I was about to ask might reverse the trend.

Emma studied me. “Why do I think I won’t like what you’re gonna say?”

“Define not like,” I said, stalling.

Emma scrunched up her face. “Just spit it out.”

Here goes. “You know, I’ve got my job search narrowed down to two companies.”

Emma nodded.

“Will they wait around for two more weeks? I mean, what if they move on? You know, choose someone different?”

“Serendipity,” Emma responded without hesitation.

I groaned. “Not everything is about serendipity.”

“What are you asking, Blake? Do you want to go home early?” Emma asked.

“Whoa, I didn’t see that coming,” Annie said. “You’d leave Robyn?”

I shook my head with vigor. Just the thought of it stopped me in my tracks. “Absolutely not. I’d fly out for the day. Leave earlyin the morning and come back at night. I’d only be gone one day.”

“Make them come to you,” Annie said.

I was busy rolling the idea around my mind when Emma said, “Yeah, it would show who really wanted you.”

“Serendipity,” Annie said, slapping the table. “I love it.”

“Exactly. Who’d make concessions for her.”

The seed grew in my head. “You know that’s not a half bad idea.”

“Not half bad.” Annie snorted. “It’s a damned good idea, if I say so myself.”

“It is. You’re a genius.” I jumped up from the table and wrapped my arms around Annie from behind. I glanced at Emma. “Mind if I go send them a message now before dinner?”

“Get out of here.”

CHAPTER 36

I couldn’t believe itwas already Friday. One week ago, Robyn and I had our first date. Since we’d spent every night together, the time had flown by, pushing us closer to the end of our retreat. Our departure flight was scheduled for next Sunday. My chest tightened at the thought of leaving Robyn.

I pushed the thoughts away. I needed laser focus today for my meetings. To my surprise, both firms agreed to meet me in Madison. So much for Emma’s serendipity. I’d still have to decide between the two.

I was up earlier than usual today, taking what had become my ritual morning run along the paths around Lake Mendota. Since I’d been in Madison, I’d rekindled my love of jogging. There was something about the fresh air, the quiet, and wide-open spaces that revitalized my love for something I’d let die in New York.

As I rounded the bend, I saw The Edgewater Hotel, where we’d be meeting. This morning, I’d interview with a team from Apex Horizon Equities and, later this afternoon, the group fromIronclad Capital Partners. At first, I’d thought I’d have to make a dash from one location to another to keep them separate, but Robyn convinced me to be transparent. The unorthodox arrangement made it much easier.

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I ran toward the hotel where my future would be decided. Since Monday, when they’d agreed to fly to Wisconsin, I’d weighed my options but was no closer to picking a frontrunner. Ironclad and Apex were similar, with stellar reputations, a long history of success, a strong financial position, and both headquartered in New York City. I doubted I could go wrong with either.

I’d convinced myself that I needed to channel Emma while I interviewed, meaning get out of my head and go with what my gut told me. Since I’d always been a spreadsheet type of person, this would stretch me.

I slowed to a walk when I arrived at the University of Wisconsin, wanting to cool down before I returned to Robyn’s apartment. She’d still been asleep when I’d slipped out. For some time, I’d lain in bed watching her sleeping before getting up. How could I leave her in a week?

“Get your head in the game,” I muttered to myself.