“Do you do this when someone gives you a birthday present?”
“It’s not my birthday…yet.”
“We could pretend that it is.”
“I don’t think so.”
“As much fun as this conversation is, I have to get to a meeting.”
“Brad?”She wasn’t sure if he was still on the line.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.It was very thoughtful of you.”
The line was silent again.And she started to wonder if he’d hung up.
She was about to disconnect the call when he said, “You’re welcome.”
And then the line clicked, and he was gone.It was only then that she smiled.
She couldn’t believe he’d done something so kind.It truly was very thoughtful.He was certainly turning out to be different from her first impression of him.
But she wasn’t going to fall for him.She knew how painful long-distance relationships could be.The espresso machine was just a friendly gesture—a very friendly gesture.
Needing to set up boundaries, she pulled up an app and sent him her first payment on the espresso machine.
A couple of minutes later her phone chimed.She lifted it up and saw a message from Brad.
Was that really necessary?
She sent back a single word answer:yes.Her response was accompanied with a smiley face.
The deal was almost complete.
The beginning of February rolled around quickly.Brad had been busy, between the cyber breach and the fact that they were buying a magazine.Rumor Quill was expanding.They needed a way to get more eyes on their articles.
And a magazine had a longer shelf life than a newspaper.The meeting to close the deal was on Friday.Now he just had to get Reed to the meeting.As they were co-owners, it would take both of their signatures to close this deal.
Both he and Reed had been working on this deal for close to a year.And at last, it was going to be a reality.
He reached for his phone and dialed.On the third ring, Reed picked up.“What’s the word?”
“Great news.The attorneys went over the contract with a fine-tooth comb and didn’t find anything wrong with it.All it needs is our signatures on Friday afternoon.Tell me that’s doable.”
“Uh…”
“Reed, don’t tell me that you’re having second thoughts about the deal.”
“That’s not it.I was supposed to do some wedding planning stuff with Sadie this weekend.”
Brad had an idea.“Why don’t you bring her along?”
There was a pause as though Reed was considering the suggestion.“I don’t know.What’s she going to do while we’re working?”
He had a good point.And if Sadie was waiting around, Reed was going to be distracted the whole time.Brad gave the situation some more thought.
And then a plan came to him.He wasn’t sure it was his best idea, but if it helped the situation, then it would be worth it.
