Chapter Fourteen
Griffith
Everything was moving so fast. A week ago, I had no mates, a job with a company I expected to be employed by for many years, and not much else. Looking back at that time, I’d thought I was pretty happy. A little frustrated with my lack of promotion, but overall, a decent life.
Happiness had a whole new definition now. It was centered around my mates, and the one thing I had considered stable was gone. Poof. Bye-bye job.
After our beautiful night together and lovely morning, I suggested we go to my house where we had all the extra food from the picnic because of course I’d made big bowls of everything, and Falkan’s willingness to pay for room service for the foreseeable future did not mean it was good for us or anything but five times the price food should cost.
And my bear wanted to feed them.
“Your house is so comfortable,” Kyle said, flopping on the sofa. “I don’t know if I said anything before.”
“Well, thank you, either way. I like it, although it’s on the small side.”
“Did you say there’s chicken salad left? That was fabulous.”
“Falkan made it,” I told him. “Really good, wasn’t?”
“So good. There is more?”
“Yes, more of just about everything and also, there might be a few cookies from the bakery being delivered shortly.”
“Kitchen-sink cookies?” Breathless, he smiled, eyes sparkling.
“Yes.”
We traipsed into the kitchen, all three of us, and pulled the bowls and plates from the refrigerator, along with three beers and anything else that looked good.
Seated at my little table I knew my house would not be big enough for all of us, but that would work itself out eventually.
If necessary, we could stay here for a while, until we decided what to do.
Both of my mates came from other areas, and they might want to move to those.
A knock on the door announced the arrival of the dessert portion of our afternoon, and Kyle went to the door and returned with a box of six cookies. “These things are huge. The guy wouldn’t tell me what was in them.”
“They never do. They usually ask new customers if they have any allergies and will tell them to avoid them if they contain those ingredients. Otherwise, guessing is part of the fun.”
Kyle set the box on the table, and we all worked together to clear the dinner plates and bowls before sitting down with a pot of tea and the cookies. “Chocolate chips, definitely,” he said then took a bite. “No, those are dark-chocolate chunks.”
“And pistachios.” Falkan chewed happily and swallowed. “My favorite nut.”
There were a couple of other nuts and dried cranberries. A bit of coconut. “I’m never sure I got everything,” I said. “But they are always good.”
“I think we need to talk about some things,” Falkan said, breaking off another piece of cookie. “We are mated and marked and I for sure want to be with you both forever, but where?”
“I feel terrible about being jobless, and I planned to start looking for another job next week, but we need to decide where we want to live as well.”
“You’ll find work when you’re ready,” Kyle said.
“But I don’t need to go home. I’ve told you how bad it was there.
My current employment involves traveling constantly, not optimum for being mated.
I know I’d hate being away from you two all the time, so I’m going to have to make a change there. I’m up for anywhere all of you are.”
“That’s how I feel,” I agreed.
“Well, my flight’s business interests are widespread, and my training will serve me well in any of the offices.
I was very unhappy and considering striking out on my own, doing something different, but now I realize I like what I do.
My work, my people…none of that was a problem.
My dragon sensed that it was almost time to meet our mate.
He was pretty clear about wanting to, and now that he has, he’s a happy dragon. So, where do you all want to try?”
“That’s quite an opportunity, isn’t it?” Kyle’s smile grew even broader. “We probably should take our time deciding.”
“I know wherever we land, I should just get a job, but after what happened with my previous company, I might have trust issues.”
They both stared at me, and I waved a hand in the air.
“Not with you two, of course. Nothing could be less true. But with placing my fate in the hands of someone who has their own interests first. It’s a risk, but what do you think about my being self-employed?
I spent so many years learning the industry I worked in, that I think I might like to strike out on my own. As a consultant to that industry.”
“What industry was that, by the way?” Kyle asked. “You’ve never said.”
“Tech. Helping other companies to employ the latest technology to improve their profits and efficiency.” I rolled my eyes. “Interesting that they couldn’t do that for themselves, wasn’t it?”
“Generally when something like that happens, there’s some sort of malfeasance,” Falkan intoned. “I am glad you’re away from there, and I think you’ll really enjoy being independent.”
We carried our tea out into the backyard to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and continue to discuss our plans.
I’d miss this little house and its good memories, especially those when I was young visiting my grandparents, but home was where these three males were, and my skills would translate anywhere there was some level of business to advise.
We decided to travel a bit before deciding.