Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ben’s office hadn’t changed since the first day Eliot set foot in it, which was comforting. He’d never been as nervous in his life as he was right now, so familiarity was soothing.
Even the dust on the bookshelf and window sill was exactly the same. The same half-full bottle of scotch—well, probably a different bottle of the same brand—sat on the filing cabinet behind the desk. The same worn-out chair slumped under the weight of Ben’s jacket.
The same Ben stood in the middle of it all, although he seemed completely different to Eliot now. A lot had changed in the past two years, so it was nice to know that a lot had stayed the same, too.
“So the higher-ups are really happy with our work lately,” Ben said, pacing behind his desk. “They, uh. They want to start a spin-off magazine, give you and me a little more leeway, get into the real hard-hitting journalism game.”
“Ben,” Eliot said, trying to focus on keeping his breathing under control. Trying not to think about all the people who were about to be staring at him.
“It’s just that we’ve been making waves, and people are standing up and taking notice. It’s a really exciting opportunity, but I can’t do it without you,” Ben continued, as if Eliot hadn’t spoken.
“Ben,” Eliot repeated, a little more firmly this time. If they didn’t get moving soon, they were going to be late.
“I could offer you a hybrid position, a senior editor spot where you’d still get to be on the ground if you wanted to be…”
“Ben,” Eliot said for a third time, raising his voice a little.
Ben finally paused and looked up at him.
“It’s my wedding day,” Eliot said more calmly, fiddling with his cufflinks. “I will do whatever you want me to do next week, when I get back from my honeymoon,” he continued. “But right now, I need you to come and give me away.”
Despite Ben’s preoccupation with the new magazine, Eliot was glad he had the other man with him today.
He wanted to marry Danny. He was sure of that. But the thought of getting up in front of a crowd and baring his soul in the particular way a wedding required was making him nervous as hell. More nervous than the first time he’d ever submitted an article and sat around feeling sick all day, sure he was going to be rejected and told to quit while he was ahead.
More nervous than his interview at Cocky.
More nervous than when Danny had asked, and he’d forgotten how to speak for a full minute before managing to say yes.
“Right, obviously, of course.” Ben finally grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair and put it on, stuffing his car keys in his pocket. “You look great, by the way.”
“I always look great,” Eliot said, deadpan.
“Well, yeah, but…” Ben waved vaguely at him. “You look… better, today. Happy.”
“I am happy,” Eliot responded, smiling brightly. It wasn’t a surprise that it was showing.
Every day he’d spent with Danny had seemed happier than the last. They’d had their arguments, and their stressful moments, and all the normal ups and downs of a relationship, but at the end of it all, Eliot was happy.
He hoped Ben would find that one day. Now that he had it, he couldn’t understand how anyone could live without it.
“So you’ll come on board once you’re back? That’s a promise?” Ben asked as he held the car door for Eliot.
“Promise,” Eliot said. He’d go where Ben went. They made a great team, and between the two of them they could do some real good in the world. “What does Marketing want to call it?”
“Ballsy.” Ben smiled wryly.
Eliot laughed. “I kinda like that. Ballsy.” He nodded, the name already growing on him. He was past the stage of his life where Cocky was enough, after all. He needed substance more than style these days.
“I knew you would. That’s why I didn’t argue.”
“You’re too kind to me.” Eliot grinned.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m a sucker for a journalist who’s good at their job.”
“Uh huh,” Eliot said, not believing for a second that there wasn’t more to it. Ben had a soft spot for him, and they’d built a strong friendship over the last two years.
