Page 43 of More Than Falling in Love

After telling them what train to take, I make sure they know where to go once they get to the stop.Just as I finish, my train pulls into the station.

“Thank you.”The woman smiles.“We really appreciate it.”

“I used to be the one asking for directions.Have a great day.”I wave as I slip through the doors, then grab a pole.Getting a seat at this time of day is rare.Standing makes getting work done a bit harder, but if I’m not holding on, I embarrass myself and tumble into others.

The mix of people fascinates me.One woman has a bag of brightly colored yarn and is crocheting an afghan.Several have ear buds of one sort or another.One guy is typing furiously on his phone.Ladies beside me are talking about last night’s party.And a gentleman near the door rolls his shoulders and stares at the bouquet of flowers he’s holding.It’s warm on the subway, especially with all these people crowded in, but he seems nervous.Hopefully, the flowers are well received.

When the doors open at the fourth stop, I step out and hike up the stairs.Music echoes through the station, and I check my pocket.I try to keep cash on me to toss into the bucket for musicians.

Smiling, I drop in a couple of bills, then take the next set of stairs.

Outside, the sidewalks are busy as New Yorkers make their way to work.Friends and coworkers chat as they walk, creating a din of conversation.I wait for the light to change so I can cross the street.As soon as it does, cars honk, impatient.Off in the distance sirens sound.It’s all part of what I love about this city.There is so much to see.So much life here.Even if Kent magically changed his mind about being just friends, I’m not sure what I’d do.

“Deep in thought?”Sarah bumps my shoulder as she comes up beside me.

“Where’s Damien?”I glance around, expecting that the happy couple would stroll into the office side by side.

“He left the apartment more than an hour ago.”She leans in close.“He’s a bit excited because he thinks we might get the official offer today.”

I hold up crossed fingers.“Here’s hoping.”

She pulls open the door to our building, and I don’t even make it to my desk before I’m getting bombarded.It will be a long day.

My phone buzzes,and I smile at the picture of Mason next to the butterfly net.Inside is a newly emerged Gulf Fritillary.Another text follows.

Kent:We captured a video of it coming out of the chrysalis.Sending it your way.

Just as the video arrives, Damien pokes his head into my office.“Meet me in the conference room.”He hurries off before I can answer.This may be the news we’ve been waiting for.

I shoot off a reply to Kent.

Me:On my way to a meeting, I’ll watch it after.Thank you!

I grab my lukewarm coffee and make my way to the conference room.

Sarah and Ollie are already there when I sit down.And Damien comes in a second later with Peter right behind.

We aren’t the only employees, but we are the ones who built this place from the ground up.Of the five, I was the last hire.

“An official offer arrived.”Damien holds up a folder.“I waited until we were all here to go over the details.But I think this is what we’ve been waiting for.”

Ollie grins.“Payday.When all our work finally pays off.”

These guys took a risk hiring someone fresh out of school, someone new to the city.But I poured my heart and soul into this job.Now I’m the marketing director of a start-up that’s about to be sold.Because I was one of the initial hires, they’re including me in whatever deal we get, for which I’m deeply grateful.

I sip my coffee, my insides vibrating with excitement.What am I going to do if this job is over and done with?I’ve been so focused on making this deal happen that I haven’t thought about the after.

Blinking away thoughts of the ranch, I lean forward.“I can’t wait.”

Sarah and Damien exchange a look.For them as a couple, this is a huge accomplishment.And whatever is in that envelope determines the path of their future.

Damien starts reading, and I nurse my coffee as I absorb the words.The numbers are big.Lots of zeros.He continues through the stipulations.

“And the final one is that everyone in this room will guarantee one year with the company to help with the transition.”

One year.It looks like I’ll be doing a lot more reading times over video chat.

He scans the room, his smile as wide as I’ve ever seen it.“What do y’all think?”

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