This is the seventh part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, and Part VI before continuing.
“Wow, you might have to do public appearances while high more often,” Kiara said when Dana got back to the green room.
“You’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad?”
“I made you sound like a housewife from the 1950s who’s only job is providing the breadwinner with food and liquor.”
Kiara waved a hand in front of her face as though she were swatting away a physical manifestation of Dana’s concern. “Don’t be ridiculous. We both know I was making more money than you before this book came out. And we both agreed that it was best you avoid saying anything at all about my involvement so I could keep my job.”
“I know. It just doesn’t feel right.”
Kiara took both Dana’s hands in hers and looked right into her dilated pupils as she said, “This is right.”
Dana hesitated a moment before saying, “What about your idea to launch your own publishing company?”
“What are you talking about?”
“When you handed over that USB and I pointed out that you could lose your job, you said you would use the money I made from this article to launch your own publishing company.”
“That was just to get you to stop worrying about me losing my job. And since I didn’t lose my job, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Don’t you want to start your own publishing company?”
“Maybe someday, but not right now.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
Dana looked at her for a long moment before saying, “Give me one good reason why you should not quit your job and start your own publishing company tomorrow.”
“Well, first of all, I’d have to give two weeks’ notice.”
“No you don’t. That’s just a courtesy. But even if that were true, what’s to stop you from turning in your notice tomorrow?”
Kiara just looked at her. Her mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to think of something to say, but every excuse she could think of was just that – an excuse. She didn’t have a good reason.
“You really think I can do this?”
“I know you can. The real question is do you want it badly enough to try?”
The end.