Page 61 of Calculated Chaos

I’m flabbergasted.

“I honestly thought you were a couple until I picked up on cues that you weren’t. So I just assumed it was a matter of time until you both figured it out. Better late than never, as they say.”

“It was a surprise to both of us. Neither of us have dated men before.”

“Sometimes we don’t see what’s right in front of us. Obviously, you’re soulmates. Soooo…” She leans in with a conspiratorial smile. “Are the gender bits working out okay?”

I laugh, feeling my cheeks heat up. “It’s working out.”

“I’m so happy for you, Hollister.” She squeezes my hand. “You deserve happiness, and leaving your dad was so brave. You deserve better than him too.”

“Thanks, Sara. I appreciate your friendship. At least I got you out of that job.”

“Yep. Can’t shake me now.”

We order mimosas and a pastry platter, chatting about all kinds of office gossip, but then a shadow darkens our table, and I look up to see my handsome man standing there, looking slightly concerned.

“Hey,” I say, standing and kissing him sweetly.

Axel kisses me back, his eyes shifting curiously to Sara. “What’s going on, Hollister?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just told my dad off and walked out of my job. Sara quit too and now we’re day drinking.”

The look of shock on his face is priceless. I take his hand and drag him into the booth.

“This is the beginning of the new me,” I announce.

Chapter Twenty-Five

AXEL

My internal panic subsides when I see that Hollister is happy. He’s grinning from ear to ear as he sits in the booth and makes room for me. Sara smiles happily.

“The cat’s out of the bag too,” she says. “I’m happy for you both.”

“Uh, thanks.”

“Big day,” Hollister continues, putting a mimosa in front of me. “Told Dad off, quit my job, came out to my assistant-slash- friend.” He shakes his head. “And the craziest part is that I feel lighter than a feather. I swear I could walk on clouds.”

“That’s amazing, babe.” I kiss his cheek. “I’m super happy for you. Tell me what happened with your dad.”

“He just came at me like he does. He was threatening to never give me the promotion because I wasn’t reliable. I took one sick day. One. HR has had to pay me out for my sick days every year because I don’t take them. The first time I take one and he loses his shit.” Hollister scoffs. “It was just too much. The final straw.”

“He’s such an ass,” I murmur.

Hollister nods. “Maybe it’s everything that’s happened since my birthday, but there’s a new me trying desperately to rise from the ashes, and I want it to happen. I like who I’m becoming.”

“I love it, but I love you no matter what.”

Sara releases a dreamy sigh, reminding me of her presence. Hollister’s cheeks turn pink while I just shift in my seat with a dopey grin on my face.

“Adorable,” Sara says. “Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do, Hollister?”

“Not really.”

I nudge his arm. “Yes, you have. The café.”

He rolls his eyes. “I know. I thought about it again, but I don’t know anything about how to open a café. That was just a youthful dream.”

---