Chapter 16 William
The next two weeks were like a dream. Kit and I spent every second we could together.
Mundane tasks became exciting because they were spent with Kit.
Everything from grocery shopping, meal prep, laundry, hell, even brushing our teeth, became something I looked forward to simply because Kit was there.
My daily routine revolved around her schedule.
I went with her on her morning runs. We made breakfast and went to work at the same time.
Usually, I had lunch meetings for work. But every afternoon, I would stop by the library and bring her an iced coffee, just the way she liked it, ridiculously sweet, just to get to see her.
Most evenings, I met Kit when she was finished with her shift, and we enjoyed a slow walk home together, soaking in the last of the daylight and warm spring air.
My favorite part of everyday was sitting on the sofa with Kit after dinner.
It was the most familiar part of our day.
Much like before her birthday, Kit and I would watch our shows, but now Kit leaned against me as we watched.
I would drape my arm around her. While she watched TV, Kit would run her hand lightly over the back of mine, almost as if she didn’t realize she was doing it.
I especially loved the way she’d sit up slightly and turn her face to me whenever she had a thought she wanted to share.
Every single time I looked down at her my heart swelled, and I wanted to kiss her.
I’d dated plenty of women, and while those relationships shared some of the same rhythm as what I had with Kit, they always felt like a means to an end.
I always felt comfortable telling those women to take it or leave it when I decided to draw my boundary, and when they inevitably left, I felt some relief.
But this was entirely different. I had gotten myself into uncharted territory.
I wanted to go further, but I didn’t know what that looked like.
I didn’t want to push Kit faster than she wanted to go.
And this nagging voice in my head, eerily like Meredith’s, kept reminding me this could all implode my career.
Meredith had decided to come to Creekstone to check on me before the board meeting.
She called to say she’d meet me for lunch.
I suggested we meet at The Pub. I knew Meredith was going to give me the third degree about the project and my relationship with Kit, but seeing her face when she walked into The Pub was well worth it.
The Pub had its usual mix of a lunch crowd.
The Blues Traveler song “Run-Around” played on the jukebox.
Meredith slid her sunglasses down to the tip of her nose.
I saw her chest rise and fall as she realized she didn’t have a choice.
I watched Meredith with her thin lips pressed together as she scanned the The Pub until she saw me seated at the bar.
I gave her a little wave. She rolled her eyes and marched over.
Meredith hoisted herself onto the barstool next to me and placed her bag in the stool on the other side.
I gave her a moment to smooth her dress out and adjust her hair.
Ray appeared, handed Meredith a menu, and walked away without saying anything.
Meredith sighed. “Is anything edible here?”
“You’d be surprised. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. You should order the steak salad,” I offered. “It’s my favorite thing on the lunch menu.”
Meredith’s lips were pushed down in a deep grimace as she looked over the menu and sarcastically muttered, “This place has a lunch and dinner menu. I guess I did underestimate it.”
Ray appeared, and I ordered my lunch and a beer. I turned to Meredith who said, “I’ll have the same. Thank you.”
Ray reappeared with our beers and a bowl of pretzels.
Meredith waited for Ray to leave, then she picked up her beer and clinked her glass against mine as if we were in a toast. “Well, here’s to almost being done with this project so you can get the hell out of here.”
“Aww, come on, Meredith. It’s not that bad. It’s got endless charm and quite a bit of potential. Maybe I’ll stay here,” I said, taking a big gulp of beer. I looked at the beer and said, “That’s refreshing.”
Meredith turned and looked at me. She tilted her head to one side and said, “Have you joined a cult? Why do you still live here? This place is...is…”
I laughed. “Really, I like it, Meredith. I think Braithway was strategic in giving me this assignment. This project helped me plug into the community in a way that reminded me how important and impactful our work can really be. This fresh perspective will be important in my new role.”
Meredith turned back toward the bar and mumbled, “Oh, I know you’ve plugged into someone, and that’s why you really want to stay in Creekstone.”
“Okay,” I said with a bit of a warning tone. I didn’t want to get into it with Meredith, so I said, “I have a plan. Just trust me.”
Meredith looked genuinely curious as she turned, placing her elbow on the bar. “Please, do tell.”
Meredith took a long sip of her beer, and I said, “I’m going to tell Braithway the truth.”
Meredith spit out her beer. She started coughing dramatically. I patted her on her back, trying not to look annoyed. Ray appeared with our meals and raised an eyebrow as he sat them down in front of us. “She’s fine. Wrong pipe. Could you get her some water, please?”
As soon as Ray returned with the water, Meredith took a sip and cleared her throat. She dabbed the water from the corner of her eyes.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yes, yes. I just died a little.” Meredith said, picking up her utensils and inspecting them for spots.
I rolled my eyes, and we ate in silence for a moment. Ray returned with two beers. I nodded, “Thanks, man.” He nodded back.
Finally, Meredith said, “How exactly do you think it’s going to work out when you tell Braithway the truth?”
I started to answer but then Meredith continued. “Do you think Braithway’s going to be glad you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself and had to go and mess around with a potential seller? Do you think that’ll impress him somehow?”
I sat back and waited. Meredith continued, “Like, how is it going to look to the Board of Directors?”
When it seemed she’d gotten most of it out of her system, I said, “I’m going to tell him I’ve become friends and gotten involved with the family that owns the land in a way that presents a conflict, and I’m going to ask him to broker the deal for me.”
Meredith put down her fork and picked up her cell phone. She started quietly scrolling on her phone.
“What are you doing?” I asked, trying not to sound annoyed.
“I’m updating my LinkedIn profile so that when Charles becomes the CEO and fires me, I’ll already have some job leads lined up.” She picked up her beer and took a sip as she turned her phone to show me her profile.
This time I didn’t try to hide how annoyed I was.
I rubbed my hands through my hair and sighed.
“Meredith, I think Braithway will respect my honesty. Maybe it’ll bite me in the ass in the end, but I am going to tell him just what I told you.
I’m going to ask him to broker the deal himself, and more than likely, he’ll appoint you or Charles to help me with it. ”
Meredith sat back. I could see her wheels turning. “Let’s say you negotiate a deal yourself. Everyone will think you gave your girlfriend a huge break because, well, she’s your girlfriend—and if you don’t, she won’t be your girlfriend anymore.”
Meredith continued. “Now let’s say someone else negotiates on behalf of Braithway for the better, I might add.
” I looked at Meredith. Now she too was looking ahead at Ray methodically cleaning the bar.
“Okay,” Meredith said, almost as if settling into her role as my best friend.
“Just let me say this. If you and Kit are the real thing, I’m happy for you.
I’m sure she’s great. For me, as your friend,” Meredith paused and swallowed.
“As your best friend, I just want to make sure you have fully thought out the consequences this might have on your career. If you walk into Braithway’s office next Monday and tell him this, it could change everything for you. Are you okay with that?”
I nodded.
Meredith sighed. “Is she your actual girlfriend? Have you two talked at all about if you’re on the same page?”
The expression on my face must have been telling because she said.
“Well, buddy. I guess you should start there.” Meredith poked her salad with her fork and chuckled.
“For the last fifteen years, you’ve actively avoided having this exact conversation with whoever you’re sleeping with, and now you’re the one sitting here, hearts in your eyes and butterflies in your stomach, wondering if Kit is in love with you. ”
Meredith patted me on the back. “Time to find out if this is limerence or love.”
“Limerence?”