Page 50 of Executive Benefits

My phone vibrated. I pulled it from my pants pocket and smiled when I saw it was Julia’s number. “Dammit,” I said. I shouldn’tbe happy to just talk with her. I should be able to cut off my emotions and just keep it business-related.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Hey, Nick,” Julia said, her voice warm, and my neck hairs stood at attention hearing it. It wouldn’t be too much longer and I’d be able to move on.

“How’s the demo going?” she asked.

“Good, actually.” I rubbed the back of my neck, pressing the hairs down and spinning to sit in my chair. “I just got to take the first swing at it, and now the pros are doing it.” I sighed. I wasn’t sure if the release of the breath had to do with the demo or it had to do with the relief at hearing her voice, but I wasn’t going to examine the weight lifted off my chest right now.

Probably ever.

“That’s great to hear. So, I wanted to go over the next steps and what to expect,” she said.

“Sounds great,” I said. “Are you, uh, still planning on coming to the grand re-opening?” I asked. I could kick myself for sounding so much like an ass.

“Yes, of course,” she responded, sounding more normal than I felt. I guess it really just was fun for her. I had to get better at dating. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she finished. And for one moment, I thought I heard something more in her voice—or maybe I wanted it to be more.

“While we’re in the demolition and building stage, I’ve been laying down a good social media campaign, and it’s getting good results. I’d like to come by and take a few pictures to share with the followers, and it’ll get their interest, plus they’ll feelconnected to it. It’s an amazing way to get them interested and excited to see the final product. It’s also a great way to get them amped up for the reopening.”

I looked around my office and knew that pretty soon, it would look and feel different. “That, uh, sounds great. Thanks so much for your hard work. Let me know before you come over. I’ll have to let the foreman and crew know.”

She paused. Or the call dropped. Either way, I was met with silence and anxiety twisted in my chest. “Well, alright,” I said. “I’ll see you around, I guess.”

I hung up before she had a chance to respond.

I dropped my phone down on the desk and stood, grunting with the overwhelming information that things I always wanted to change were changing. And that I had a say in it. Hell, I was doing exactly what I wanted to do for the first time in years.

But also, I’d developed feelings for someone I shouldn’t have developed feelings for. Not only was she doing business with me, but she made it clear that she wasn’t interested in anything else, “Bah,” I grumbled, trying to sort through my feelings and thoughts.

It was time that I focused on something good in my life.

I was moving forward.

I pulled open my filing cabinet and took out the tumbler and snifter of bourbon. I slammed the memory of having sex with Julia after we drank from these very glasses away and I placed one on the top of my filing cabinet. I poured the dark liquid into the glass and topped it off a little higher than I might if I were just drinking to drink.

Today, I was drinking to celebrate, and I was going to soak in the moment.

Then, I’d get to packing up the rest of my things so the movers and the painters could come in when they were ready to.

I took a long swig of bourbon, letting the smoky spice fill my nostrils and mouth, holding it for a few beats, then swallowed it. The warm burn of alcohol spread throughout my chest, and I leaned into the moment.

Things were going to turn around for me.

I sat back down and poured myself another drink and let the idea of a new life overtake me.

24

JULIA

Isat in my car outside The Bridge and chewed on my lip. I didn’t think he knew I was outside, and I didn’t know if I should go in. But I wanted to.

I’d done a lot of thinking, and my thoughts always came back to Nick. I didn’t know what the future would hold for us, but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t try, or at least try to try.

My phone rang.

It was Mia.

I didn’t know how she always knew what I was thinking, but it always happened between us. If she was thinking about me, I’d call her and vice versa. We called it best friend's intuition. “Hey,” I said. I opened my mouth to give her an update on the restaurant’s transition.

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