Page 64 of Share with Me

“You don’t sound enthused.”

“Dad said work is good for the soul.” It wasn’t much of a defense, but it was all Brinley had. She had wanted out of Brooks Investments for a long time. She had taken Parker’s place after he passed away suddenly. She should have said no. But her MBA had said yes. Dad knew sales wasn’t her forte nor point of interest.

Truth be told, she’d rather be a historian. That didn’t bring in any income, did it? But who cared, really? Her inheritance would be enough for her to live at least five lifetimes over. She could buy up the entire St. Simon’s Island if she wanted to.

“But you don’t enjoy it,” Ivan said.

“It has ups and downs.”

Ivan seemed to be waiting for more.

Brinley didn’t give it to him. “You’re a curious guy, aren’t you?”

“I’m curious about you.”

“Well, I don’t particularly love being in sales, not the least bit all the traveling I have to do to get new clients for Dad’s company, but I enjoy the independence and I’m sort of good at it.”

“You can be good at things you like to do too, you know. Why choose something you don’t like?”

“I’m doing this for my brother, Dill, so the burden wouldn’t be entirely on his shoulders after we lost Parker.”

“And it makes you happy to help others.”

Brinley shrugged. “Let’s get to the top.”

“So we can get back down again.”

“Haha.”

The door opened to a blustery December. The sun was up in the sky, but the winds were swirling all around them. Above them was a smaller balcony encircling the giant Fresnel lens, out of use since ages past.

“I’m glad they rebuilt this lighthouse,” Brinley said.

“They did?”

“There’re probably some old photographs downstairs. I don’t recall much since it’s been a while since I visited the museum. All I remember is that the original lighthouse was built in 1810 and destroyed during the Civil War, you know.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“And how long have you been living on St. Simon’s?”

“I’m more into music history.”

“Can’t put on blinders. History is all around you.”

“So if you could do anything, you wouldn’t be in sales. You’d be doing something related to history.” Ivan stopped walking and reached for the iron railing.

“Not just any history but the history of coastal Georgia.” Brinley stood next to him.

“That specific. So why not do the career you like?”

Brinley wondered how much to tell him. She decided not to say anything. Didn’t want to get his hopes up about her leaving Dad’s company and moving to St. Simon’s permanently. They just started to know each other.

Still, they had kissed, if it meant something.

“Obligations,” Brinley said.

“Obligations? I know how that is.”

---