“I thought you were a lawyer. Something corporate, right?”
I laugh. “I’m a lawyer, yes. And ‘something corporate’ pretty much sums up how interesting my job is. But I also have a degree in nonprofit management. I’ll help you if I can.”
He looks surprised. “Really?”
It feels good to have something to help focus my thoughts. “Lay it on me, Mars. What’s the worry?”
“Well, it turns out the nonprofit is less organized than I would have liked,” he admits. “Less well-funded. Less professionalized.”
“Uh-oh. How bad is it?”
He frowns. “It’s three people and a PO Box.”
I snort a laugh. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh. That is bad. I bet you made their day with your generous donation though.”
His scowl deepens as he leans back, crossing his arms. “This isn’t funny, Tess. This is not how I wanted to start my marriage. I don’t want the first action I take to be admitting a gross financial failure to my partners. I need them to see me as capable…responsible.”
“Okay, if it’s possible, I like you even more now,” I admit. “Are you worried they’ll take the money and run?”
“I’m worried they have no idea what to do with it,” he explains. “They admitted they’ve never handled such a large donation before. And there’s no plan in place for the longevity of the nonprofit.”
“Well…it sounds like you need to build the nonprofit from the ground up,” I reply. “You’ve got the cash and you’ve got a few eager volunteers. I think you could build something really cool. I’ve seen nonprofits accomplish more with less. This doesn’t have to be a lost cause.”
He nods, but I can tell he’s not quite convinced.
“What you need is a director of operations,” I explain. “Someone sharp with some relevant experience growing out a brand. And you need to expand out your donor pool immediately. You’d be surprised how quickly half a mil gets eaten up in a budget.”
He gives me an appraising look. “Very well. You’re hired.”
“What?” I cry.
“Director of Operations. You have the job.”
“Mars, I have a job,” I laugh. “A good job. High-powered corporate lawyer, remember?”
“Just give me six months of your time,” he says. “Help me get this on the right track. Whatever your pay is, I’ll double it.”
I laugh again. “Oh, you’ll double my current salary?”
He nods and I’m positive he’s totally serious.
“Okay,” I say. “I accept the position.”
His eyes go wide. “Really?”
“Yep.” I lean forward, rubbing my hands together. “Now, as my first act as your Director of Operations, I’m firing myself, effective immediately.”
“Why?” he grunts.
“I’m way overpaid.”
“Tess…”
“What? Don’t try and cover up one bad financial decision with another one. Mars, you don’t want me as your director anyway. I don’t know a damn thing about sea turtles.”
“Yes, but that’s not really necessary in the director role, is it?” he challenges. “What’s needed is a sound business mind capable of scaling up a brand, you said so yourself.”
“I’m flattered,” I admit, hoping it shows in my face. “Truly, Mars. And it honestly does sound like fun. But my life is in Cincinnati. My job, my apartment, my…family,” I add, my voice faltering a bit.
“I understand,” Mars says at last.
“You don’t know how much I wish I could say yes,” I admit. “Six months in Florida, are you kidding? A little beach air in my hair, all that delicious fried shrimp. Not to mention I miss Rachel like a piece of me has been cleaved away. She’s my best friend, Mars.”
“I know.”
“You three better be so fucking good to her,” I say, pointing a finger at him.
“We will,” he says, getting to his feet.
“You better,” I challenge, rising to my feet too. “Or I am gonna come down there to Jacksonville. And I’m going to chop you up into tiny little bits and feed you to those damn sea turtles.”
He smirks. “Noted.” Then he holds out a hand to me. “Come. We’ve stayed away long enough.”
I snatch up my shoes, slipping my finger through the straps. Righting myself, I let out a little breath. He’s right. It’s time to go back in there. For Mars, it’s the start of something new. For me, it’s the end. He gets to walk in there and say ‘hello’ to his new wife. I get to walk in and say a tearful ‘goodbye’ to my friend, the woman who has been the only home I’ve ever known.