Page 71 of Only the Wicked

“Miles Johnson is a co-founder. We dropped out of B-school at the same time, founded a start-up at the right moment, sold it, and when I had the idea for another venture, he handled all the aspects I hated. Daisy is a programmer—an engineer. She’s been with us for years. And yes, they’re colleagues, but close friends.”

“Only one partner?”

“Well, there’s me. CTO.”

“The programming nerd?” She smiles.

“The creator,” I correct. The company wouldn’t exist without me. “Miles is CEO. And then we have a CFO.”

“Do you not like him?” If she picked up on that from my tone, then I need to watch how I say things.

“It’s not that. We go way back. Harvard, actually. When Miles and I dropped out, he stayed on. Got his degree. Worked for a VC firm. We snagged him when we started up ARGUS.” I pause, searching for any flicker of recognition. We’re not a household brand. But she’s silent, listening, so I continue. “He took a chance on us, and I don’t have an issue with him as a person. But I worry we’re at a stage now where we need someone with more experience. We have capital needs.” I run my hand through my hair, as I consider how to simplify the problem. “He’s pushing for standard solutions, and we need someone who has a more creative approach and long-term strategy.”

“That’s got to be tough. Given you’re friends.”

The insightful comment reminds me why I like her. She’s intuitive. Miles has never considered my position on Alex isn’t without internal conflict.

“It is. But bringing someone in with more experience, in the long run, is best for Alex too.”

The flight attendant enters the cabin and lets us know we’ll be landing momentarily and returns to the cockpit.

Sydney adjusts her seat, allowing the seat to return to the upright position, and the shift underscores the end of vacation and the inevitable consideration of next steps.

“So about that resume…”

Her eyes widen slightly with guarded surprise, but I’m not scolding her for not having sent it yet.

“Like I told you, I know recruiters. But if you’re not in a hurry…” I lift a shoulder, letting her know I have no intention of pressuring her.

“I’d appreciate that. Any connections you think might be a good fit would be great.”

Her response is a bit too professional for my taste. There’s a distance in her tone that wasn’t there in the Highlands, as if she’s already shifting back into job-search mode. I don’t like it.

“Are you wanting to stay in D.C.?”

Back in the Highlands, our conversation never drifted to the future. But as we close in on D.C., my inner gears automatically shift to reality.

“I’m not sure,” she says, and I get it. I’d never let a location drive a career decision. “What about you? Did coming home to North Carolina make you rethink where you’re living?”

Nana would love it if I moved closer. But she’s never complained about our scheduled video calls.

Would I like to move? Sure. I’m tired of San Francisco. There’s too much traffic and the weather sucks. But I spend so much time in the office, either at home or at our headquarters, my home base doesn’t factor.

But maybe that’s about to change.

“Have you been to San Francisco?”

She tilts her head and emits a slight sigh before answering, “Yes.”

If I’m reading her correctly, she believes that’s a silly question. The unstated obviously I’ve been hangs in the air.

“When you come visit, I’ll take you somewhere you haven’t been.”

“Where’s that?”

“I don’t know. Give me a list of where you’ve been.”

She half-laughs and leans to look out the window as we descend.