Just knowing that—in her own tiny way—she was helping her brother and the rest of R.I.S.C. make the world a safer place gave Emma a sense of pride she hadn’t felt with any other job.
Figures.
Even though she played a very small part in the process, she’d finally found something she was good at that actually helped make a difference. Too bad it was only temporary.
Oh well. Such is life, right?
“Actually...” Jake shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “We’re looking for someone to manage the offices for our new Charlie and Delta teams. I told you about them, haven’t I?”
“You did.” Emma nodded.
“Charlie will be based in Richmond, and Delta’s out of Chicago. You’d have your pick of which city, and—”
“Wait.” Emma cut him off. “You’re offering me a job? I mean, afull-timejob?”
Jake grinned. “I am. You’d do the same thing you’re doing here, only the position would be permanent. Of course, that means moving to either Virginia or Illinois. I’m not sure how you feel about that.”
She felt both excited and nervous.
Excited for the possibilities of starting a brand-new life completely on her own...and nervousness because she’d be starting a brand-new life, completely on herown.
Emma loved her parents dearly, and she was very close with both her brother and their sister, Alyssa. But unlike Alyssa, who was perfectly content staying in Texas for the rest of her life, Emma wanted to travel. See the country, and eventually more.
And she’d just been handed a golden ticket to begin that new journey...alone.
“Wow.” She blinked back at Jake. “That’s...amazing. I’m so flattered you trust me with such an important position within your company.”
“It is important. More so than anyone truly understands. Which is why I want to make sure the person I choose is someone I know can handle the responsibilities that come with the job.”
Emma could practically feel her head swelling with every word the man spoke.
“Can I have a few days to think about it?” She rushed to add, “Not that it isn’t an incredible opportunity. It’s just that—”
“It’s a big decision.” Jake’s brilliant blue eyes softened. “I get it. Listen, the other offices won’t open for another couple of months, so why don’t you take the week to think it over.”
One week to decide her future. That was plenty of time...right?
She nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
Glancing down at her watch, Emma took note of the time. “I’d better get going if I’m going to be back in time to open the doors. You sure you don’t want me to grab you something?”
“I’m good.” He went back to his desk. “I’ll get one of the guys to watch the front until you get back.”
See? Great boss.
“I’ll try to hurry.”
With a head full of possibilities, Emma left the office and headed to the large conference room at the end of the hall. She peeked her head through the open doorway.
“I’m going for coffee,” she announced loudly so the black ops team that was busy chatting away would hear her. “Any takers?”
The men in the room—along with Mac, Emma’s almost-sister-in-law—all swung their heads in her direction. Of course, it was the person she knew better than anyone else on the team who responded first.
“I’ve told you before, Sis.” Her brother pointed to the two-pot coffee machine at the back of the room. “You’re welcome to drink the coffee we have here for free instead of going all the way downstairs and across the street to pay six dollars for the same damn thing.”
“It’s not that far, and the stuff you’re drinking isn’t even close to the same thing.” Emma crossed her arms and leaned against the door’s frame. “Coffee is meant to be more than just a drink, Sean. It should be anexperience.”