“Adulting sucks,” Julie said. “I miss the days of college when we’d just hang out without looking at a calendar first.”
“Well, you guys are busy, I get it. Especially this one.” Dean nodded to me. “This is why we need to keep up with the video chats.” He turned to Julie. “You live ten minutes away, and we haven’t seen you for months.”
“We can start the video chats again,” I said before Julie could reply. I knew she didn’t want to talk about her new illness or her job loss, and although he’d mean no harm, I didn’t want him to get on her for keeping to herself over the past few months.
After all she’d just told me, about being sick, her job, and her dick of an ex, my mind was going a mile a minute, trying to figure out a way to help her. As much as we talked, I missed a lot being so damn far away. The number of miles hadn’t changed between New York and North Carolina, but after learning all she was able to keep from me for so long, the distance seemed even greater.
“There is a possibility of NameTech opening a branch in New York. They asked me if I’d be interested in running it, but nothing is definite yet. So, you may have to get used to seeing my face more often.”
My firm had just gone through a merger when they’d recruited me out of college. My first boss had told me NameTech was originally a placeholder until they could figure out what to name the new company, and one of the executives thought it would be funny to keep it. Turned out, the interim name was sticky enough to gain recognition and for the company to double in size during my first five years.
“Really?” Julie’s head whipped around, her eyes wide as they found mine. “That’s another promotion, right?”
“It would be, but other than running the office, everything else would stay the same. It’s not certain, so don’t get too excited.”
“No shit! That’s great. And I could tolerate you if you moved back.” Dean smirked around his beer bottle.
“I could too, I guess,” Julie said, a smile lighting up her face in a way I hadn’t seen since she’d spotted me in the lobby. I almost hadn’t mentioned it because I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up—including mine—but I wanted this promotion for a lot of reasons.
I was never supposed to stay in Charlotte for long, but I’d gotten promoted and married, and I’d settled there when I wasn’t looking. After my marriage had ended in less than a year, since my twenties, I’d transitioned into an easy bachelor’s life, enjoying the city and the mild weather, in between working my ass off.
“We’re just grateful that you both made it here now.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Although I’m surprised Mrs. Calabrese is okay with a Vegas wedding for her only son,” I teased.
“That’s another story,” Maria said with a long sigh. “It’s more wedding than you would expect in Vegas, but I’d like to think it’s a little better than being married by Elvis.” Maria raised a brow at Dean. “We wanted something nice that we could share with the people we love but keep it small and about us.”
“I still think Elvis would have been cool. Maybe for our tenth anniversary we’ll come back and have him renew our vows.” Dean inched closer to Maria and kissed her cheek before glancing back at us. “The Elvis chapel I looked into had a greatest hits music package—”
“Yes, babe. I know,” Maria said, rolling her eyes as she patted his hand. “I’m really sorry we can’t walk down the aisle to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’”
“Eh, it’s okay.” He shrugged and tugged her into his side. “As long as you’re walking down it to me, I don’t care what music plays.”
“Oh my goodness, look at you guys.” Julie bunched her shoulders and pressed her hands into her cheeks. “Who knew you’d be this adorable when you finally got married?”
“We should take a shot for every time someone says finally.” Dean shook his head.
“That’s a good way to get alcohol poisoning on your wedding day,” I said, stifling a laugh when Dean glowered back at me.
“Yeah, don’t do that.” Julie waved her hand back and forth. “I’m going to head upstairs and pass out.”
“Tired?” I asked, trying and most likely failing to keep the concerned edge out of my voice.
She lifted an eyebrow at me and exhaled a long breath.
“Just worn out from the long trip. Nothing more,” she said, giving my wrist a quick squeeze under the table. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner.” A small smile ghosted across her lips as she stood. “I’m touched I’m part of the small crowd of guests.”
Maria nodded back with a watery smile.
“We love you guys,” she said, her voice cracking as she rose from her seat to give Julie a hug. “Wow, marriage is making us both sappy.”
“Nah, that’s how it’s supposed to be.” I bent to kiss Maria’s cheek. “So I hear,” I said, throwing her a wink.
“Hey.” I shot up and grabbed Julie’s arm. “I’ll walk you back.”
“You don’t have to leave early on my account.”
“Dinner is over, right?” I looked back at Dean. “Nothing until tomorrow?”
