Chapter 16
Gavin
She’s draggedme to my least favorite place. Balboa Park.
Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with the place, it’s gorgeous. But it’s full of people all the time. And not just people from San Diego, but people who are visiting, from all around the world.
After her slight bout of difference last night about our ages, I steered the conversation away from my past and told her to plan our Sunday together. I told her she could plan anything and I would do it.
She told me we needed some dollar bills, and my immediate thoughts turned to a strip club until we drove toward the popular destination, parked behind the Spreckels Pavilion, and walked hand in hand up the slight hill and across the street.
We walked up a winding path and came into a large shaded grass area surrounded by small stucco cottages.
“What is this place?” I ask, looking around as people walk in and out of each location.
“These are the International Cottages. On Saturdays and Sundays, each house opens to the public and they sell food from their country during certain months. On Sundays, there’s usually one house that is highlighted and you see that stage over there?” I follow her pointed finger, “there are performances and such that happen.”
“The dollar bills are for the food here?”
“Yeah. Not every place expects you to pay, but it’s helpful to each house. And trust me, the foods are delicious.”
“Oh man, I can’t wait to see what the house of the United States offers. Probably Twinkies.” I joke.
We walk around from cottage to cottage. Each providing a wealth of information about their culture and delicious finger foods. After an hour, before we even made it over to the House of U.S.A., we found an open space on the lawn before the House of Mexico was going to perform and relaxed.
She leaned into me as we stretched out in the shade as someone tapped the microphone.
“Did you know that in the second or third grade - I can’t remember which, we were learning about the Mexican culture and we did something called the Mexican hat dance? That would honestly be one of my only memories from elementary school.”
“Really? Gosh, I don’t remember a damn thing about elementary school.”
The performance starts and at one point, the men and women in colorful dresses and suits dance around a sombrero to the same song that I performed in grade school. I pointed excitedly as Emily covered her mouth with a smile.
After a few more performances, we got up and wandered over the next hour or two. We enjoyed one another’s company while feeding on the delicious treats each cottage offered and immersing ourselves in the knowledge of each cottage. As we walked out of the area, we walked along the path, up to one of the main roads in the park. We walk into a small bistro and take pints of beer to the back of the area, where the grass is green and we’re surrounded by sculptures.
“This has been a great day.” I tell her, “Thank you for this.”
“I figure you can plan the adventurous dates and I can plan the relaxing dates.” She smiles and leans back against the grass. We’re silent for a few moments as we bask in the afternoon.
“I’m not ready for the weekend to end.” I finally say.
“Me neither. But I’m kind of excited about the next steps with this client.”
“Oh yeah? More late nights with me?” I wiggle my eyebrows and tease.
“Honestly, those were excruciating. I’m a big fan of freely touching you when I want.” She leans over and positions herself just under me, and I lean down and give her the kiss she wants. “But no, I am a huge fan of the build out with new clients. The next steps rarely include us working as closely together. So, that will help in giving us space at work to keep professional and all.”
“Baby, you can freely touch me whenever you want,” I tell her, then kiss her again.
“Listen, as wonderful as that sounds, remember who we are with one another in private can’t be how we are while at work. And you know that. Besides, it wouldn’t look good if I wanted to hook up with the new guy.”
“In all fairness, you hooked up with me before we both learned that I was the new guy. Besides, we’re two grown adults and I saw nothing about fraternization in the employee handbook.”
“While there’s not, it’s probably something that is frowned upon.”
“You’re not my boss and I’m not yours. There is no upper hand in this relationship in the workplace that could be bad for business,” I point out.
“Let’s just keep our relationship to ourselves and not during working hours.”
I fully comprehend wantingto keep our private lives just that — private. I’ve never been one to date anyone that I’ve worked with, or to bring attention to anything that is not directly work-related to my job before. Except for this relationship between the two of us, I want more than anything to shout from the rooftops that we’re together. I want more than anything to have my arm around her shoulders, to kiss her on the cheek as we part ways to our offices on the opposite side of the room, or to sit closely together while at lunch. She was clear with her intentions about keeping everything separate, and as much as it pains me to keep my distance, I will respect her wishes.
I’m standing at Melinda’s desk, my arm drapes over the top of her cubicle while we talk about scheduling. Yet, movement from the elevators catches my attention. I look up and I notice Emily and one of her staff walking side by side, both talking excitedly while gesturing. Neither of them are paying attention to their surroundings, and yet, I’m begging her with my eyes to look up.
“Earth to Gavin. Hello? Gavin?” Melinda’s small voice breaks into my thoughts.
“Sorry. Got hit with some ideas for a project. What were you saying?” I look at her with an apology.
“I said that we should probably have some of the staff coming in a little later to accommodate for a few late nights.”
“Late nights?” I ask.
“Yeah, Mrs. Darby emailed last night. Did you see it?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t opened up my messages yet this morning, and I try my best to turn them off while not at work.”
“Self-control. Good for you.”
“Work-life balance is important. You don’t check your emails when you’re not at work, do you?” I ask with concern.
She blushes and looks away.
“I’m not the kind of boss to tell someone what to do on their time off. But, may I make a suggestion? And you can absolutely tell me off if I’m overstepping.”
“I have a good work-life balance. I just get notifications when work emails come up and I’m curious by nature and I can’t help it.”
“Maybe I should start up some challenge or something.”
“A challenge?”
“Yes. A challenge.”
“I don’t even want to know what you are going to do. But back to what we were talking about.”
“I agree. I’m sure whatever Mrs. Darby wants us to do can warrant coming in late. Send out an email to those involved.”
“How soon does Darby want us to start?” I ask.
“She mentioned next week. She wanted to give time to prepare and to finish up whatever you’re working on to give all your attention to this new project.”
“I guess I should read this email.”
“There’s probably no need. You have a meeting with her in ten minutes.”
“Shit. Serious?”
“You should really check your emails.”
“Nah. I like the element of surprise.”