Negotiating Tactics

Twenty

Alex

“I’m sorry,but can I cancel dinner tonight?” I said to Noah as I sat at my desk, my phone tucked between my ear and shoulder.

It was late, and soon the office would be completely empty. But I still had work to do, which meant another desk dinner tonight, and sadly, no time to spend with Noah.

“I’m surprised you didn’t text me,” he responded.

I’d considered doing just that but thought he deserved a phone call.

I didn’t want him to think I was hiding from him. Plus, I just wanted to hear his voice.

Hearing his voice would comfort me, even as my dream slipped through my fingers. These last weeks had been stressful with me working as hard as I could to outrun the deadline.

Deep inside, I knew I wouldn’t make it.

My stomach lurched, the feeling not all novel over these last few weeks.

The stress was getting to me, and I knew I couldn’t keep this up, but one way or another, it would be over soon.

“I just wanted to hear your voice,” I said, deciding to be honest.

“Well, thanks. And you can cancel. I’ll have your dinner sent over,” he said.

“No need. I have something here,” I responded.

I waited for him to argue, but he didn’t, which wasn’t like him at all.

Still, I tried to push away the uncertainty that had reared its head. Besides, I was the one who turned him down. I shouldn’t expect Noah to argue with me.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“It’s fine. Don’t work so hard. And call me when you get home,” he said.

“Okay,” I responded.

“Good-bye, Alex,” Noah said.

“Bye, Noah,” I responded.

He hung up the phone, and I did too, trying to push the concern at the back of my head out of my mind and stop the thoughts from spinning up trouble where there was none.

Noah had been as wonderful as always, but he had also been tense.

Which was strange.

Or at least I thought it was.

It wasn’t like I could call myself an expert on Noah.

But still, I’d always gotten the sense that I understood him, and this…weirdness didn’t seem like him.

Then again, from what Birdie had told me, he had never been in one place for this long.

Maybe sitting still was getting old.

Or maybe I was getting old.

I pushed that thought aside before it could take root.

I trusted Noah, trusted him enough to know that if he had a problem with me—or anything else for that matter—he’d say so.

It would do no good to try to read his thoughts.

If nothing else, he had earned that level of grace.

I pushed my phone aside and considered whether I should eat the walnuts in my desk or order something.

I settled on a diet soda and walnuts, my stomach rejecting the idea of anything else.

And then I looked at my emails, trying to decide which project to tackle first.

I managed to concentrate for an hour before I leaned back and let the futility of all of this hit me.

I needed seven thousand dollars in two weeks, and even if I pushed to the max, there was no way I would hit the amount I needed.

That reality was crushing to even consider, but the sooner I accepted it, the sooner I’d be able to come up with a different plan.

I grabbed the phone before I could stop myself and dialed George’s number.

“Alex,” he said after he answered the phone.

“Hi, how are you?” I asked, smiling at how pleased he sounded to hear from me.

“I’m doing wonderful, chouchou. Do you want to schedule the closing?” he asked.

“Um…” I twisted in my chair, then settled my elbows on my desk. “About that… Do you think I could get an extension?”

I swallowed, took a deep breath, and then continued on. “I know it’s not fair to ask, and I know you’ve been more than accommodating, but I’ve had a family emergency come up, and it has taken me a little bit off track. But if you give me thirty more days, I can come to the table with our agreed-upon amount and maybe even a little more,” I said, trying to sound upbeat.

His deep breath of regret told me his answer before he spoke.

“I would love to, Alex, I really would, because I like you and believe in what you’re trying to do. But I’ve got an all-cash offer on the table. I’ve been holding them off for weeks waiting for you, but I’m afraid if I tried to hold them off longer that deal will go away. And I can’t risk it…”

He trailed off, and I could hear his angst and his honesty.

Just as clearly as I understood where he was coming from, even though my eyes started to tear up.

“I understand it, George. I genuinely do.”

He sounded sad, and I appreciated his sympathy, even as my heart shattered into a billion pieces.

I swallowed back the tears, refusing to put any more of a burden on George. “I’m glad you got the offer. Go ahead and take it. There’s no reason to waste more time,” I said.

Saying the words felt like ripping out my own heart, but I knew it had to be done.

“Are you sure?” George asked. “You still have a couple of weeks yet, and I’ll keep my word.”

I nodded and then remembered that he couldn’t see me.

“I am sure. I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but…thank you.”

“I’m sorry too,” he said. You are a wonderful girl, Alex, and I know you have good intentions. When it’s supposed to happen, it will,” he said.

“Thank you, George,” I said.

“Take care, Alex,” he said.

I hung up the phone, then swiped at the tear that hadn’t even fallen yet.

I was tempted to call Noah to gloat.

He’d been adamant that my father would pay me back.

He had pretty much guaranteed it.

Maybe rubbing this in his face would make me feel better?

On the other hand, what good would it do to tell Noah that I’d been right to know that my own fucking father couldn’t be trusted?

Congratulations, Alex. You let him let you down again.

I was so fucking stupid.

I should have known better.

But I didn’t and look what it had gotten me.

The tears threatened, but I again held them back.

Grabbed my phone and texted Noah.

Got tired.

Headed home.

His response was instant.

Get some rest.

Text when inside.

I smiled, though I could feel the tightness in the expression.

Noah was concerned that I got home safe.

My father had never cared, yet I knew the next time he called, I would answer.

The next time he hurt me, I’d forgive him.

Maybe one day I’d learn my lesson.

A week later, I got my chance.