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“And you are now? Financially, I mean? Since I suppose that’s what you’re talking about.”
He nods. “That’s also part of why I’ve waited so long. I had some… stocks that officially vested this morning. Now I can sell them and put the money somewhere safe. That, combined with everything I’ve saved over the years should be enough to hold me for some time. More than enough. I had an unexpected big expense recently but…” He looks at me. “It was worth every penny. And I can manage for a bit.”
“Huh? What unexpected expense?”
He sighs, eyes glazed over. “I just… need to figure out what’s next.”
I nod and lean down to give him another kiss. Softer, this time. Gentle. “It’ll be okay,” I whisper against his lips.
He shrugs. “I’m sure this all sounds super attractive, right? A man in his thirties who has no idea what he wants to do when he grows up?”
I snort. “Who the helldoes? That’s such a luxury, Will. Don’t you think? Most of us…” I take a deep breath. “Most of us are justsurvivingninety nine percent of the time, Will. That’s why I try my hardest to focus on the good. The silver lining.” I bend down and kiss him on the cheek this time.
He rolls his eyes, but there’s a small smile on his face. “You and your silver lining.”
His frustration makes me laugh. “Seriously. Like, doesn’t it feel like an enormous privilege? Being in the exact industry you want to be—knowingwhat you want. I find it hard to believe that can exist for the majority of people nowadays.”
“You seem to be in the right industry. In the right job.”
I purse my lips for a moment as I think through his words. “Yes. I think I am—at least for now. I think it’s the first time I feelpassionateabout something, and I’d love for it to turn into something bigger. But who knows where I’ll be in a year? Or five. Or ten, for that matter. And that’s a horrible thing to say, but sometimes it feels like the truest thing. We’re all here, doing the best that we can. All we can do is live life the best way we know how, surrounded by the people who make us happy.”
He smiles and pulls me down to his chest, wrapping me in his arms so that I can fit snuggly into that perfect nook that I’ve claimed as my own. “Like you?” He kisses the top of my head. Inhales deeply, filling his lungs so much my head rises with the movement.
My smile is goofy and embarrassing. “I make you happy?”
“You make me the happiest, Bridge. Always. Forever.”
I press my lips together to physically keep myself from revealing how Ireallyfeel. How much I care about him.
* * *
Later,at work, Will’s words from this morning have me living in a love-filled haze. If I were a cartoon, I’d bet everything I own, every last dime in my bank account, I’d be surrounded by a cloud of pink fog with hearts in my eyes and a goofy grin slapped on my face. I’m sure I’d almost be running into anything I walk by, not paying attention to a single thing around me while a chorus sings nothing but love songs in my head.
Yeah, I’ve got it bad.
So bad, in fact, I don’t hear Lena the first three times she calls my name from her office. It’s not until she walks over and shakes my shoulder that I realize anyone is even talking to me.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she hisses.
“Sorry, I— I spaced out.”
With a roll of her eyes, she scoffs. “Come on. We need to go.”
“Need to go… Where exactly?” I ask, a bit terrified by the manic look in her eyes.
“Let’s take a coffee break. Outside. Coffee shop a couple of blocks away.”
“Lena, what’s happening?” I let her drag me to the elevators, coats left behind.
“I can’t talk about this on company property. So let’s go.”
WILL
Few things can match the feeling of freedom. Though is what Will has truly freedom? Sure, after the agreed upon six week transition period, he’ll officially be unemployed and can cut ties with the people who fill him with so much toxic energy. But the fact remains that he lied—a lie of omission, but a lie nonetheless. And while the lie isn’t an issue now, it’s something he will have to carry on his shoulders for the rest of this relationship—which, by the way things are going, could mean the rest of his life.
At least he hopes so.
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