Page 25 of Hooked
“I don’t assume anyone I haven’t known since birth is probably a serial killer. That would be the difference between us. Also, the people I went to school with aremorelikely to be serial killers, not less.”
“Fancy private schools are weird.”
“You have no idea.” Tayla turned back to her closet. “I refuse to spend more time on this until he gives me more information.”
Emmie was lying back again, staring at the ceiling fan. “Are you really going to leave me?”
Tayla went to lie next to her. “Eventually it was going to happen. You knew this.”
“But I thought we’d just move houses, not towns.”
“I never promised I’d stay here.”
“I know.” Emmie reached for Tayla’s hand. “I just assumed that the low cost of living and stable real-estate-market values would seduce you.”
“I do love a low cost of living.”
“Economic prospects are better here.”
“That would be true unless I have the chance to do something amazing professionally in San Francisco.” She rolled toward Emmie. “I wouldn’t leave for another accounting job. I don’t like it that much, and honestly, I prefer making my own schedule like I can here with the bookkeeping business.”
“See, I knew you liked it—”
“But this isn’t an accounting job.” Tayla propped herself up on her elbows. “This is possibly getting in on the ground of something very big. This is new trends in the industry. This is a company with tons of buzz and the financial resources to back it up. This is possible stock options. Serious money. Financial freedom from my parents forever if it actually takes off.”
And rubbing success in their faces.She didn’t say that part.
“I know.” Emmie sat up straight. “Wait! This is an online company! What about telecommuting? You could telecommute!”
“The company website said they encourage person-to-person collaboration and keeping in touch with their local markets. Doesn’t sound like telecommuting is their jam. Besides, if I’m going to be pursuing a career in fashion, do you really think Metlin is the place I need to be? Street fashion here is…”
“Eclectic?” Emmie fell back on the bed.
“That’s one thing you could call it.” Actually that was a pretty accurate description of Metlin. There were as many students as there were farmers and mechanics. “Emmie, this is also about me moving back to the city. I moved to Metlin to help you—”
“Because you are thoughtful and awesome.”
“—but I never intended it to be permanent. And beyond all the cool business opportunities, this job could make a real difference in how the world sees and consumes fashion. SOKA promotes fair trade and thoughtful consumption. They’re like that fancy outdoor-clothing company that Jeremy probably owns stock in, except they sell purses and dresses and gorgeous fabrics instead of… I don’t know, windbreakers. They’re an ethical curator. How rare is that?”
“I hate it when you’re right, and it happens so often.”
“You love me.”
“I do.” Emmie rolled over and stared at Tayla. “So you should take this job if they want you. For all the important reasons, and also it would be hella fun, and also you could totally rub this in your parents’ faces.”
“I knew I picked you as a best friend for a reason. You understand my pettiness.”
“Your parents deserve it.”
“The only shitty thing about moving back to San Francisco would be I’d be leaving you here. And that will truly suck.”
“And leaving Daisy. And Spider. And Ox and Ethan. And Jeremy.”
Tayla felt a clutch of panic in her chest. Now that she was actually thinking about pursuing this job, she realized how much she had become invested in this town. Did she even have three friends in San Francisco that she liked as much as her friends here? Her closest friend in the city had been Emmie. And Emmie was in Metlin now.
She’d be leaving friends here. She’d also be leaving a job she enjoyed. No more coffee at Frannie’s Nut Shack while she tried to explain accounting software. No more free pie at Café Maya. No more joking about pink hair with the old dudes at Metlin Farm Supply when she went in to do the books. No more good-natured flirting with the hot barbers at Main Street Clip and Cut. Yeah, a couple were old enough to be her dad, but that didn’t mean they weren’t hot. She’d even miss Ginger’s biting humor at Bombshell Tattoos when she stopped in to do the books. That place was hilarious, even if it did mostly smell like stale beer.
She’d be leaving all that if SOKA offered her a job.
