Chương 15 - Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars
Months later, Jessi invited Ivan back to her office.
Same mahogany desk.
Same enormous windows.
Another black briefcase sat between them.
Ivan laughed immediately.
“You cannot be serious.”
“Open it.”
“No.”
“Ivan.”
“No more mysterious briefcases.”
“Open it.”
He did.
Inside wasn't cash.
It contained documents.
Jessi had created the Laura Mercer Foundation.
Its purpose was to help working parents afford specialized medical treatment for children when insurance failed them.
Initial funding:
$8.5 million.
Ivan stared.
“You added zeros.”
“Inflation.”
He laughed.
Then became emotional.
“Why Laura?”
“Because she tried to expose what was happening before anyone else.”
Jessi pushed another document toward him.
“I'm offering you a position.”
Ivan groaned.
“Again?”
“Director of family security and assistance.”
“I have no nonprofit experience.”
“You had no executive-security experience either.”
“Your hiring standards are questionable.”
“Clearly.”
He read the proposal.
The salary was generous.
But that wasn't what mattered.
He would help families like his.
People one medical bill away from losing everything.
“I'll do it.”
Jessi smiled.
“No negotiation?”
“One condition.”
“Of course.”
“You take weekends off.”
Her smile vanished.
“Unreasonable.”
“Then no deal.”
“Fine.”
“And physical therapy.”
“You're abusing your negotiating position.”
“Absolutely.”
She extended her hand.
Ivan looked at it.
Then instead of shaking it, he pulled her gently closer.
Their first kiss was quiet.
No audience.
No dramatic music.
Just the conclusion to a conversation that had begun when he accidentally opened the wrong door.
When they separated, Jessi whispered, “Fiona is going to be unbearable.”
Ivan smiled.
May you like
“She already thinks she's responsible.”
“She probably is.”
