Page 86 of Love in the Lab
Her nose wrinkles, and she shakes her head. She mumbles something that sounds like, “Or maybe I’ve already missed my chance.”
“What was that?” I ask.
She shakes her head again. “Nothing. Anyway, I’m really sorry. And despite how I reacted earlier, I’m really happy for you, sis.” Standing, she bends down to give me an awkward hug.
I squeeze her hard. “Love you, kid,” I say through brimming eyes.
“Love you.”
My family is apparently still getting used to the idea of Jonathan as they take turns staring at him the next morning at breakfast. We’re all sitting around the table with a spread of breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, and fresh fruit in front of us.
“So, Molly,” Nicole starts, “with all the excitement yesterday, I didn’t get to ask you about your presentation. How’d it go, Dr. Delaney?” She pauses, an uncertain expression on her face. “Or now is it Dr. …” Nicole trails off as she stares at me and then darts her eyes over to Jonathan. “I just realized, I don’t know …” Her cheeks turn pink, and she leans toward Adam sitting next to her, as if for support. “Jonathan, what’s your last name?”
Jonathan has a mouthful of cinnamon roll, so I answer for him. “It’s Stanch. But I’m not changing my name. I’m still Molly Delaney.”
Nicole nods, while my mom gapes at me. “You’re not taking your husband’s last name?” she asks.
Jonathan wisely takes another large bite of his breakfast. Under the table, he lays his hand on my thigh and squeezes.
I shake my head. “It doesn’t make sense to change my name. I already have so many publications under Delaney. It’s easier to just keep the same name.”
Plus, just thinking about all the bureaucratic processes and paperwork changing my name would entail makes my head hurt.
My mom pinches her lips together but makes no further comment.
“To answer your question, Nicole,” Jonathan cuts in, his mouth finally empty, “the presentation was fantastic. Molly knocked it out of the park, hence the Charleston job offer.”
I blush. “I wasn’t the only one presenting. Jonathan and our boss were great, too.”
“Tell us more about the Charleston job,” my dad says.
Nicole claps. “You’ll be so much closer to me now! Charleston’s only about four hours from St. Anastasia. Adam and I will have to drive up to help you get unpacked.”
“It’s an exciting position—an opportunity for me to lead my own lab studying harmful algal blooms in a cooperative way with other labs around the country. They want me to start the second week of January. I’ve heard Charleston is a beautiful city.”
“No beignets though,” Jonathan teases.
I wave my hand. “I’m sure Charleston has other delicious baked goods.”
“Biscuits,” Olivia offers. “Charleston is known for biscuits, both sweet and savory. The team always looked forward to it when we traveled to Charleston for games.”
“What about you, Jonathan?” my mom asks. “What are you going to do about a job after this move?” The question could be based in curiosity, but it sounds more like disapproval.
Jonathan glances at me, and I see a rare glint of uncertainty in his eyes. I jump in to answer. “Actually, as part of my contract, I’m going to negotiate a job for Jonathan, too.”
My dad looks surprised. “You can do that?”
“Yep. It’s called spousal accommodation and is more common than you’d think.” I hold my chin high. “We think I’m enough of a commodity that the Hollings Lab will be pretty open to giving me what I want.”
“Youthink;Iknow. They want you bad.” Jonathan grins. “You might even be able to get them to pack up your stuff and move it for you.”
I gasp. “Someone else can pack for me?” I’m so dreading the packing and unpacking part of moving. “But anyway, spousal accommodation isonereason, but certainly not the most important reason, we decided to get married.”
Neither of my parents look pleased with that explanation. Jonathan must notice, too. “I know it might sound like I’m just out here riding Molly’s coattails, but you need to know that I love your daughter, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make sure we’re together. I don’t care where I am as long as I’m with her.”
“Jonathan is actually turning down a job in New Orleans—PI at a new lab at NOSU—to move with me. He has options.”
Jonathan bumps his shoulder against mine and holds my gaze. “Any option that isn’t with you isn’t really an option for me at all.”
