and I are starting our own software firm creating web
tools.”
“What?” My eyes widen in surprise.
“Are you serious?” I raise the gelato to my lips, enjoying the burst of lemony
flavor. Come to think of it I have noticed that he and Sev have been spending a
lot of time together. Sevastion is this Russian guy that Declan is good friends
with who’s some important programmer at Microsoft. They met playing soccer
together.
He watches me, apparently enjoying
my surprise. “Yes, I’m serious.”
“You’re starting your own company.”
I’m completely dumbfounded. I’m not even sure what to say. “How far into the
planning stages are you?”
“Quite a ways, we’ve already
gotten most of our start-up funding. Sev and I have both taken out business loans
and we think we’ve found an office space downtown near Pioneer Square.”
“Wow, but what about your job
right now? Are you sure you want to give that up? You just got promoted.”
“I know, but this is what I’ve
always wanted to do. At some point you have to take a chance and go for your
dreams, or what’s the point of anything?”
I nod. “Well, then I’m happy for
you. Now that you’re telling me this, it’s easy for me to imagine you being
your own boss.”
Declan grins. “Because I’m such a
control freak?”
“Partly,” I say grinning back. Declan
could be an incredible pain in the ass about how he wanted things done, though
I had to admit he was usually right. “You’re always so confident and in control.
Plus I think you’re talented. I’ll bet you guys are going to do really well.”
“Thanks,” he says and pauses, “you
know, you could come with us if you like.”
“Quit my job? Wow, how very Jerry
Maguire of you to ask.”
He shrugs and takes a bite of his
vanilla gelato. “It’s an idea. We could use someone as creative as you.” He
must be noticing the dazed expression on my face because he starts to laugh.
“I’m not trying to pressure you or anything.”
“I know,” I say sheepishly. “I’ve
just gotten so comfortable where I am right now. Maybe it would be good for me
to take a chance on something new though. Let me think about it—okay?”
“Fair enough.”
“When do you think you’re going to
give your notice at work?”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m not
entirely sure yet. I’m hoping to tell them by the end of the month.”
“That soon?” I suddenly feel panic
rising as the reality of what he’s told me sinks in. I won’t be seeing Declan
at work every day. “We’ll still be friends, won’t we?”
“Of course we will. We’ll always
be friends. Are you okay?”
I nod, embarrassed because I feel
tears filling my eyes. I swallow, trying to get the lump in my throat to go
away. I can’t believe I’m reacting this way. “I’m okay,” I finally manage to
say.
He leans in closer and studies me
with his deep blue eyes. “Hmm, I know exactly what you need. It’s called gelato
therapy. Would you fancy another?”
I look at the last remnants of the
cone I’ve almost finished eating. So much for any worries I had about not
getting fat eating ice cream for breakfast. “Sure, why not.”
Declan grins and I watch as he
goes up to the counter. He’s wearing dark burgundy jeans and a short sleeved
indigo shirt. I don’t know what it is, but despite living in the states for
years now, Declan doesn’t look American. There’s something about the way he
dresses, that before he even opens his mouth and speaks, you can already tell
that he’s not from around here.
He turns to me. “What flavor?”
“Crème brulee.”
He raises his eyebrows and makes
an impressed face. I find myself smiling, despite the sinking feeling I have
inside. Change happens. I should know that better than anyone because I’ve always
embraced it. It’s just that I can’t imagine not having Declan in my life every day.
Only Declan would have me sitting here at ten thirty in the morning eating not one,
but
tools.”
“What?” My eyes widen in surprise.
“Are you serious?” I raise the gelato to my lips, enjoying the burst of lemony
flavor. Come to think of it I have noticed that he and Sev have been spending a
lot of time together. Sevastion is this Russian guy that Declan is good friends
with who’s some important programmer at Microsoft. They met playing soccer
together.
He watches me, apparently enjoying
my surprise. “Yes, I’m serious.”
“You’re starting your own company.”
I’m completely dumbfounded. I’m not even sure what to say. “How far into the
planning stages are you?”
“Quite a ways, we’ve already
gotten most of our start-up funding. Sev and I have both taken out business loans
and we think we’ve found an office space downtown near Pioneer Square.”
“Wow, but what about your job
right now? Are you sure you want to give that up? You just got promoted.”
“I know, but this is what I’ve
always wanted to do. At some point you have to take a chance and go for your
dreams, or what’s the point of anything?”
I nod. “Well, then I’m happy for
you. Now that you’re telling me this, it’s easy for me to imagine you being
your own boss.”
Declan grins. “Because I’m such a
control freak?”
“Partly,” I say grinning back. Declan
could be an incredible pain in the ass about how he wanted things done, though
I had to admit he was usually right. “You’re always so confident and in control.
Plus I think you’re talented. I’ll bet you guys are going to do really well.”
“Thanks,” he says and pauses, “you
know, you could come with us if you like.”
“Quit my job? Wow, how very Jerry
Maguire of you to ask.”
He shrugs and takes a bite of his
vanilla gelato. “It’s an idea. We could use someone as creative as you.” He
must be noticing the dazed expression on my face because he starts to laugh.
“I’m not trying to pressure you or anything.”
“I know,” I say sheepishly. “I’ve
just gotten so comfortable where I am right now. Maybe it would be good for me
to take a chance on something new though. Let me think about it—okay?”
“Fair enough.”
“When do you think you’re going to
give your notice at work?”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m not
entirely sure yet. I’m hoping to tell them by the end of the month.”
“That soon?” I suddenly feel panic
rising as the reality of what he’s told me sinks in. I won’t be seeing Declan
at work every day. “We’ll still be friends, won’t we?”
“Of course we will. We’ll always
be friends. Are you okay?”
I nod, embarrassed because I feel
tears filling my eyes. I swallow, trying to get the lump in my throat to go
away. I can’t believe I’m reacting this way. “I’m okay,” I finally manage to
say.
He leans in closer and studies me
with his deep blue eyes. “Hmm, I know exactly what you need. It’s called gelato
therapy. Would you fancy another?”
I look at the last remnants of the
cone I’ve almost finished eating. So much for any worries I had about not
getting fat eating ice cream for breakfast. “Sure, why not.”
Declan grins and I watch as he
goes up to the counter. He’s wearing dark burgundy jeans and a short sleeved
indigo shirt. I don’t know what it is, but despite living in the states for
years now, Declan doesn’t look American. There’s something about the way he
dresses, that before he even opens his mouth and speaks, you can already tell
that he’s not from around here.
He turns to me. “What flavor?”
“Crème brulee.”
He raises his eyebrows and makes
an impressed face. I find myself smiling, despite the sinking feeling I have
inside. Change happens. I should know that better than anyone because I’ve always
embraced it. It’s just that I can’t imagine not having Declan in my life every day.
Only Declan would have me sitting here at ten thirty in the morning eating not one,
but
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