Chapter 6 - The Job Offer
Three weeks later, Amelia placed a folder on Dante’s desk.
He looked at it.
“What’s this?”
“My notice.”
His expression immediately darkened.
“No.”
Amelia blinked.
“You cannot refuse my resignation.”
“You refused termination.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
“Because I was right.”
“So am I.”
She folded her arms.
“The threat is over. That was our agreement.”
“The threat is over. Your employment isn’t.”
“Dante.”
He opened the folder.
“You have another job?”
“No.”
“Then why leave?”
Amelia hesitated.
Because Lily had become attached to him.
Because Amelia had too.
Because every morning Dante asked whether Lily had eaten breakfast before asking about his own schedule.
Because he had quietly arranged for accessibility improvements at Lily’s specialist clinic and refused to put his name on the donation.
Because Amelia had started looking forward to his impossible meetings, his dry remarks, and the rare smiles he pretended not to have.
She finally said, “Because this stopped feeling like a job.”
Dante went silent.
“That scares you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Lily comes first.”
“She should.”
“I don’t bring unstable people into her life.”
“Am I unstable?”
“You employ men who refer to armored vehicles as transportation.”
“Fair.”
Despite herself, Amelia smiled.
Dante closed the folder.
“I’m not asking you to choose between Lily and me.”
“I know.”
“I’m asking you not to choose for me either.”
She looked at him.
Dante continued.
“I spent years assuming anyone close to me eventually wanted something.”
“And?”
“You wanted a paycheck.”
“Still do.”
“I know.”
“Specialist bills are expensive.”
“I know.”
“Rent is expensive.”
“I know.”
“Groceries—”
“Amelia.”
She stopped.
He looked almost nervous.
Dante Moretti.
Nervous.
“I want you here.”
Her smile disappeared.
“Professionally?”
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
“And professionally?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
“That might be the worst romantic speech in history.”
“I had other material prepared.”
“Really?”
“No.”
She walked closer.
“What happens if this doesn’t work?”
“You leave.”
“And my job?”
“Remains yours if you want it.”
“My salary?”
“Unchanged.”
“My authority?”
“Unfortunately unchanged.”
She smiled.
“And Lily?”
Dante’s expression softened.
“She decides what I am to her. Nobody else.”
Amelia looked at him for a long moment.
Then she picked up her resignation letter.
And tore it in half.
Dante leaned back.
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a probationary yes.”
“For how long?”
“Ask me in six months.”
“Six months?”
“You’re difficult.”
“You've mentioned that.”
The office door opened.
Lily walked inside carrying her rabbit.
“Are you fighting?”
“No,” Amelia said.
“Yes,” Dante said simultaneously.
Lily sighed.
“Adults are weird.”
She climbed onto the sofa.
“Are we going home?”
Amelia looked at Dante.
Then at her daughter.
“Not tonight.”
Lily smiled.
“Good.”
Dante tried not to.
May you like
He failed.
---
