Page 29 of Love in Times of Contempt

Alex took a deep, strained sigh. "I'm sending my immediate resignation to my employer tomorrow. If they haven't made it clear they intend to fire me, yet. I've been gone for a few days which I'm sure didn't land well with them."

Liam, Ana, and Ely watched him without a word; Liam caught himself holding his breath. Even though he'd uttered the words, a little voice in his head doubted their veracity. Perhaps Liam had gotten it wrong.

Silence continued around them, growing heavier with every passing second. Alex arched an eyebrow in challenge, not caring that things were getting awkward.

"Does that mean you're taking the job?"

Ana had been the first to speak, putting Liam's question into words. Alex didn't respond right away; Liam's attention stayed focused on his brother.

Alex spoke to Ana, as if he could pretend she was the only one at the table. "I wouldn't be quitting my current job if I didn't have something lined up. Your business plan looks solid. There's a good balance between the for profit side and the social side. I think there are some things that will need adjusting, but that can come with time. If you still plan to be flexible with it for the first year."

"We still plan for it to be flexible," Ana said. "But I think at this point we also need a concrete answer… tell us you're takingthisjob. With the three of us."

Alex kept his eyes on Ana, and Liam was thankful for it for the first time. He believed that, were Alex to look back at him, he'd see the vulnerability Liam felt, clear in his eyes.

Alex tapped a finger on the table. "I'm assuming the plan is to have an strategic meeting per trimester for the first year, at the least. Probably two. You should add that specifically to the plan, so that it doesn't fall through the cracks."

"That was always the plan. Like we've said before—" Ely started, but Alex interrupted her.

Alex gazed at the water feature again, but responded to Ely. "Still, you should have a meeting per month, at least, with your peer. Keeping things on track."

"I'll be sure to keep mypeeron track." Liam wasn't used to hearing Ely irritated, but her voice tended to change when she talked to Alex. "Now, is that peer going to be you, Sandy? Yes or no answer."

His heart beating fast, Liam waited for confirmation.

Alex flicked a hand between Liam and Ana. "Unless you've changed your minds, yes, I'm taking the offer."

This time, their silence only lasted three heartbeats.

"Welcome on board!" Ana said, reacting first once more.

A mix of dread and hope flooded Liam's heart, and he'd have stayed quiet hadn't Ana's foot tapped on his shin.

"Yes," Liam said, "I'm glad. I know you will be amazing in this role."

He could only hope those were more than vacuous words.

Chapter Eleven

LIAM HAD TRIED TO prepare Ana for the whirlwind to come, but he doubted she knew exactly what to expect. She'd been to a couple of big events with him, and she'd been to film festivals before, but not one this big, and not while with him. He had the experience to know how things changed when you were this well known. He could only hope he and Ana would sail through the storm victorious and with not too many bumps.

The plane landed and he and Ana were made to wait in it for a bit but, after about twenty minutes, they made their way out, holding hands. He preferred having the small connection with her at all times; it comforted him.

"I'm still not used to flying privately," she said next to him, shaking her head. "Seems like such a waste of resources."

"You know why we do it," he began, but she interrupted.

"Yes, I know. I'm still shaken by it, that's all."

"Liam, Ms. Lira, good evening." Becca, Liam's publicist— who would work with Ana for the weekend— greeted them at the door of the private hanger. "If you'll follow me, I'll tell you about the plans for the next few days. Your luggage is already on the way to your hotel room."

"Call me Ana, please."

"Sure thing, Ana," Becca replied, while guiding them through and out of the building.

A driver waited for them. They got in the car without speaking. The two sets of passenger seats faced each other, and Ana sat next to him on one and Becca in front of them on the other. The car began to move.

Becca reviewed her tablet, quickly tapping through. "Okay, you have a packed schedule, which should surprise nobody. Did you receive the agenda to your emails?"