"We couldn't be prouder to have you on board, Andrew. Your work over the last few months has been exemplary. You're going to make a fine partner." John Novak holds my hand in his firm grip as we pose side by side and shake hands for the promotional photographs that Shelly, the HR Manager, will post on the company website.
“Thank you, sir. This is a dream come true. I look forward to working with both of you.” He smiles brightly under his bushy, graying mustache.
“Call me John. We are partners now, Cliffer. What do you say we get some lunch to celebrate? We might even be able to convince Eric to leave his office,” he chuckles.
"As entertaining as that sounds, I think I'm going to take the rest of the day off and celebrate with my… Ryan." God, I can't wait to say husband or at least fiancé.
"Oh, of course, go get that man of yours. You take the rest of the day, and I'll see you first thing Monday morning for the management meeting." With a heavy slap to my shoulder, he leaves the room, heading to Eric's office, likely to try and force him to go for lunch. I doubt he'll be successful. I'm convinced that man is chained to his desk. I guess being Denver's top defense attorney comes with its drawbacks.
Walking out of the boardroom, I refrain from skipping down the hall like a preteen as I reach for my phone. It's only ten thirty A.M. right now, and Ryan might still be sleeping off a hangover from his art show last night. I dial his number anyway, there is no way he won't jump right out of bed to meet me for brunch. The guy always takes advantage of the opportunity to eat. I listen to the call ring out, then frown and try again. How much did he drink last night? It was an open bar, so he could easily have been celebrating hard.
When the call rings out again, I pull back my phone, staring at it like it has the answers for me. Shit, he's not mad at me for missing it, is he? No, no way.
He knows I had to file the final documents after the judge's ruling yesterday, and yeah, I probably shouldn't have fallen asleep at my desk again, but it's been one hell of a week, and he gets it. Jumping onto the elevator to the underground parking facility, I smirk at the sign on the back wall that will soon include my name. Nothing could wipe the smile from my face today. Nothing.
I look at my phone again. I’m dying to share this with someone right this fucking second. Cliffer gang it is.
Me:Hello my dear siblings. Guess who made Partner today?
Kim:Was it Ben? He deserves it bro!
Val:You did it?
Pete:Kim, you are brutal. Congrats man! You worked hard for it.
Me:Finally! I feel like it took ages.
Kim:So, goal number one achieved. When’s the wedding then?
Me:Val! You weren’t supposed to say anything!
Val:Oh, I’m sorry! I thought you meant not to say anything to Ryan. We don’t have secrets in this family Andrew.
Kim:What she means is that she’s a gossip. You should know better, Drew!
Pete:What the fuck? Why didn't I know anything about this? Did you proposed?
Me:Not yet! Why are you jinxing me?
Kim:Jinxing? Are you kidding me? If there is a perfect couple out there, it’s you and Ry! It’s a given at this point.
Me:Fingers crossed guys. I’ll keep you posted.
Val:Congratulations again, bro. We’re proud of you. Give the folks a call, they’ll be so happy.
Me:I will. Thank you. I wouldn’t make it without your support.
Pete:And Ryan’s dick.
Me:And I’m out.
I'm still laughing as I start up my car. My brother Pete is a dumbass, and you never know what he'll come up with or just how brutal my sister Kim will be. But they are my support system. They are always there when I need them, which works both ways. I love my family.
As I drive home, my fingers tap on the steering wheel to the beat of the song on the radio. It has been my goal to make Partner at the firm, and even though John kept hinting that it was time I took over the Corporate division, I still can't believe this is happening. And there is only one person I want to celebrate with. So I'm going to go home and wake his delectable ass up with a sloppy blowjob, then take him out for an over-priced brunch, Mimosas included.
Then I'm finally going to ask his ass to marry me in the middle of the Civic Centre Park with this custom-made Captain America ring that's been weighing down my pocket for a month.
A massive smile breaks when I think how much he will love this ring. Brushed steel with a star engraved in the middle and dividing lines to make it look like the shield, It's perfect for him. It's perfect for us.
