Page 36 of You & I, Rewritten

“Oh my God, woman…Will youshut up!” I hiss at Klair as we are waiting in line. After asking what we wanted, Graham is standing at the counter placing our order but definitely still within earshot.

“Jeez, okay! But I’m just saying…go you!” she says, putting her hands up defensively but still feeling compelled to give me a wink.

She’s not wrong, Graham looksextrasexy today wearing his slim chinos and chunky sweater, a very casual look compared to his usual suit-and-tie combo. Comfortably stylish but professional in every way.

“Yeah, yeah…let’s grab a table before he gets irritated with the pair of us!” I say, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and giving her a much-deserved squeeze.

“Ughhh…Get off!”

We both start laughing, way too loudly I might add, in search of a table, settling on a secluded booth in the corner.

Waiting for Graham to join us, Klair and I take seats across from one another.

“You seem really happy,” she says, reaching across the table and grabbing my arm. “Like,reallyhappy.”

“That’s because I am, silly.” She’s been in my life longer than almost anyone and knowing that she sees what I’m feeling means the world to me. “Beyond all ofthat,” I say, waving in Graham’s general direction, “for the first time in a while, everything in my life, personally and professionally, seems to be falling into place. I know you’re not supposed to say things like that out loud because, you know…jinxesand what not, but moving back, this job…it has all been worth it.”

“Well good, because selfishly, I don’t think I want to adult without you again.”

“It’s a good thing you don’t have to then,” I say, as she stares back at me with that look in her eyes, the one that only friends who’ve been through the complexities of life together have.

Graham’s timing could not be more perfect. Interrupting before either of us melt into a puddle of emotions, he slides our tray of food on the table and takes the empty seat in the booth next to me.

“Alight…I’ve got a turkey club and a side of fries for you,” he says, handing Klair her sandwich. “And an Italian Panini with a cup of autumn squash soup for this guy.” He passes me my lunch, brushing his hand against mine. “What did I miss?”

“Oh nothing,” Klair says, her mouth already full of her sandwich that I’m kicking myself for not ordering. “I was just threatening Will with his life if he ever decides to move away from me again.”

Turning his attention toward me, I see a look of panic momentarily cross his face.

“Relax…I’m not going anywhere!” I put my hand on his thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “What Klairmeantto say is that we were just talking about how good this move has been for me.” My clarification causes Graham to visibly relax, but his reaction gives me butterflies the size of pterodactyls.So he wants me to stick around, huh?

“Well, I’m definitely happy to hear that you’re enjoying your move to the company,” Graham says, picking at his sandwich. “While I have you both here…”

“No way, mister…You’re violating lunch-break rules. No work chat untilafterwe’ve finished eating!” Klair teases, throwing a French fry in his direction, which Graham picks up and throws it right back at her, causing us all to burst out laughing.

“He’s new to the lunch club so I’m granting him a one-time pass,” I say, before this turns into a full-blown adult food fight. “What’s up?”

Graham clears his throat, straightening his back in his seat. “I guess I just wanted to ask if either of you have noticed that the morale in the office seems to be…off?”

We’re both silent.

He looks at me, then across the table at Klair. “It’s that bad?” his voice softens, a sense of defeat in his tone.

“No!” Klair and I both say at the same time.

“It’s definitely notbad,just a little…intense?” she says.

Pressing my thigh against his, I add, “And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Has the office ever planned some sort of fun, group outing?”

Klair snorts.

We’re both looking at her, clearly waiting for her to explain.

“Come on, Will…you know Mr. Serious over here wouldn’t know fun if it bit him in the ass!” she teases.I volunteer to bite his ass.“Graham, I adore you…you’re the best editor and colleague I’ve ever worked with, but do you doanythingfor fun?”

Graham’s expression is unreadable as he stares Klair down from across the table. Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on the table and places his square jaw on his fists.

“What is thisfunyou speak of?” he asks, breaking into a grin, causing Klair and I both to laugh.

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