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“Or we could enforce stricter gun laws.”
“Sure. But till then—”
“Can’t you do all this while continuing your graduate work? The Department of Defense isn’t going anywhere. There will always be opportunities.”
“I told you their opening offer, right?”
I’m not proud of the fact that money factors into this decision. The starting salary of almost two hundred thousand a year feels like I won the lottery.
“You’ve done incredible work so far. A mind like yours will always be of value to many people.”
“I’m done being poor,” I blurt impatiently. “It’s time, Grandpa. And if I make more, I could help with—”
“Bryce,” he interrupts. “Don’t say it. My medical condition hasn’t been ideal but I’m managing fine. Do not take a job because of some ill-formed notion of helping me.”
“I know, Grandpa. If I take this job, it is entirely based on what I think is right for my career.”
“Do you promise?”
“I do. The thing is, I want to make something of myself now. Not next year or after a doctoral degree. Now.”
He raises a brow. “Would this have anything to do with impressing someone now?”
Grandpa has always been my confidant through the years. We’ve talked about school and hobbies as much as crushes and dates. He’s a romantic, so of course he’s constantly fishing for information about my love life. Which, to be honest, is the farthest thing from romantic.
I’ve spent a few nights with Blakely, the barista from the Engineering building. Hookups, however, are not worth sharing with my old-fashioned grandfather.
“Me. I’m doing this for me.”
If annoyance leaks into my tone, it isn’t directed at him. It’s entirely about the fact that when he mentioned “impressing someone,” all I could think about is Ana, who is leaving Ohio with no intention of looking back.
Anastasia Petrov factoring into my decisions? You don’t say.
“You have my support no matter what you choose, Bryce. I’m so proud of you.” He speaks chokingly and wipes the corner of an eye. “We’ll celebrate tonight. You’ll announce your decision over dinner? Although you’re not a musician, this is noteworthy news.”
Repressing a cringe-induced groan, I say, “I’ll wait till after I’ve signed a contract.” The job isn’t fully secured till then.
Everyone can wait till next week to find out. I arrived early tonight to get Grandpa’s advice privately.
Within the next fifteen minutes, the rest of the family gathers in the kitchen to put together the hodgepodge of dishes we contribute every Sunday.
“Ana is running late. She’s waiting for cupcakes to cool before decorating them,” Aunt Maeve explains.
“We would have waited for her, but she’s meeting friends after, so she’s driving herself anyway,” Sergei adds.
“Where is she going?” I ask like an idiot who can’t mind my own business.
“Trivia night, or something,” Aunt Maeve says vaguely.
“She’s making cupcakes,” Mom says incredulously, “and you left her alone?”
Sergei laughs. “It’s a leap of faith but she did make omelets yesterday without burning the house down.”
Before moving to Ohio, Ana didn’t know how to turn on a stove. That’s the downside of growing up with a household chef.
“Give her some credit,” Aunt Maeve says. “She’s a perfectionist. Besides, practicing how to cook is important before she goes away for college.”
“I can’t believe she’s graduating in two months,” Dad says. “You guys must be so proud of what she’s accomplished this year.”
