45. Chase
Chase
I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick
I pick up a random snow globe of Santa on a surfboard and shake it, watching the white specs of fake snow flutter around him.
“We could get them this,” I say, shoving the artifact at Mia.
“You’re dumb,” she laughs, taking it from me and setting it back on the shelf. We keep strolling through the aisles of the gift shop, searching for something to buy for Emily and Heather’s baby shower next month.
“You could’ve just said no,” I mutter to myself. Mia shakes her head, laughing, and continues browsing.
I decided to join her for the gift-buying experience even though I already bought them a gift a couple of weeks ago. The baby is going to love my custom-made onesie with ‘Future CEO’ written on the chest. I just know it.
“Well, then I’d be lying, and I don’t lie, so...” She shrugs.
I nod. “On that note—how are things with Rachel going?”
Mia throws her head back in laughter. “Ha! You’re hilarious. I didn’t lie, I just didn’t tell you. You ass,” she says through gritted teeth, playfully throwing a decorative pillow at me, which I dodge—just in time to catch a sharp look from the cashier up front.
“But seriously, how is Rachel doing?” I smile, placing the pillow back.
“She’s great. I’m really happy, Chay,” Mia sighs. She picks up a mug, reads the label, then sets it back down. “She said she’ll come with me to the Gala.”
My brows raise. “That’s awesome! That’ll be so much fun.”
“Are you… bringing someone to the Gala?” she asks slowly.
I shoot her a look before continuing through the aisles. “You know I can’t bring the person I want to.” I sigh, sadly. “But, at least he’ll be there, so it’s not so bad.”
“You just won’t be able to flirt, dance, or touch,” she mumbles, picking up a vase and squinting at the price tag.
“Rub it in, why don’t you,” I say with a smirk.
Mia’s expression softens, setting the vase down. “Sorry, babe. I’m just… honestly, I just wish it were different for you. How is all of this supposed to play out, exactly?”
“We haven’t really talked about it. Sure, not being able to do things openly kind of sucks, but…I mean, we can act normal outside of work so it’s fine. We’re happy, and… well, that’s all that’s important.” I nod.
Mia smiles sympathetically. “Okay, well… What happens if someone else is interested in him? Or vice versa? Will you tell them you’re taken? Will he?”
My chest tightens at the thought. After work today, he had an impromptu meeting with Theo, which… has already been bugging me. I don’t want to be that guy, so I’ve kept my mouth shut, but fuck, it’s really poking at my insides.
“I—jeez, Mia, I don’t know.” I shove the thought down.
She closes her mouth and nods, heading toward the jewelry aisle. “Ouuu, what about earrings? I could be the cool aunt-friend who takes them to get their first piercings,” she giggles.
I laugh, thankful for the lighter topic. “Yeah, that’s actually pretty perfect.” We browse together for a while before finding the cutest little gold hoops.
I scratch the back of my neck. “Listen, I’m sorry for biting at you there…
I just—I really fucking like him. Him being my boss is obstacle enough.
I don’t even want to think about everything else right now,” I breathe.
“The truth is, I’m falling for him like crazy.
I’m already scared as it is and I’d be lying to myself if I said otherwise. ”
Her shoulders slump as she tilts her head.
“Oh, Chay, I know you do. It’s literally written all over you,” she sighs, tugging lightly at the collar of my sweatshirt.
“Which is exactly why I’m just telling you to be careful with your heart.
This is the first time you’re really giving it to someone, and… you can only trust someone so much.”
I swallow hard. “I do trust him. I really do.”
She nods, taking that in. “Okay. Then, so do I.”
My heart swells at her acceptance.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a display of friendship bracelets. Walking over, I scan through the phrases until one in particular stands out. I feel an overwhelming urge to buy a pair of matching ones.
I hope he loves it.
***
"And tonight, I’m fucking you," Todd belts from the stage, swinging his hips around like a madman.
Bailey, Mia, a couple people from the marketing team, and I cheer along, clapping and laughing as Todd fully commits to the Enrique Iglesias song he insisted on singing.
The energy is high in the whole bar tonight—music thumping, people singing over each other, drinks sloshing around tables. It’s my type of night.
I try to stay in the moment, I really do.
But under the table, my knee won’t stop bouncing as I glance down at my phone and reread the last texts sitting on my screen.
Jere: Be there by 8.
Jere: Can’t wait to see you.
It’s a quarter past nine, so I guess anything could’ve changed since then. Maybe he had to run home after work to get changed. Maybe his meeting with Theo ran a little long…
A twisting of my stomach begins as I imagine them staying late together, laughing and reminiscing about the old times.
My eyes dart to the doors as soon as I see movement.
Excitement is quickly washed away by a rush of disappointment when I see a couple more WingMate coworkers walking through the doors.
I wave a hello but the sincerity doesn’t feel real.
I know who I wanted to see walk through those doors.
“You okay?” Mia whispers beside me, pinching me lightly on my arm.
I throw her a soft smile. “Yeah…” I scratch at the back of my neck. “I just thought he’d be here by now. Wonder what’s holding him up.”
“I’m sure it’s just work stuff.”
“Yeah,” I agree even though a small pang in my stomach tells me differently. God, I hope it’s just work stuff.
I feel the outline of my bracelet in my pocket which soothes me a bit.
For some reason, I’m really excited to give it to him.
Almost like this small piece of homemade colored patterned string would make all the difference.
Would calm my active mind and put me at ease knowing he’s wearing something that I gave him.
“Hey,” his smooth voice washes over me.
I look up over my shoulder to see him, standing there behind me, as handsome as ever. His sharp eyes stare down at me so intensely, I almost stop breathing. I won’t ever get used to the way he makes me feel.
“Hey,” I respond as casually as I can.
He chews softly on his bottom lip, hypnotizing me in 0.2 seconds flat. Until, a hand comes down on his right shoulder waking us both up from our locked connection.
“Oh, we are so going up there,” Theo says to Jeremiah, laughing and clapping his hands to the beat of Todd’s song.
Jeremiah shakes his head. “You’re dreaming.”
I'm thankful for the way he places his hand on the back of my chair.
“Oh, come on. I can’t go up on my own.” Theo cheerfully points at Jere.
I tense, watching this exchange. Is Theo flirting? It sure fucking feels like it and it’s boiling my blood.
“Come on, get a drink with me,” Mia says, grabbing my wrist.
I agree, getting up and walking with her to the bar. She sighs, waving down the bartender. “I needed to get you out of there. It looked like you were going to crack your molars.”
I massage my jawline. “Yeah, thanks. I didn’t even realize.” I hate how sensitive I am when it comes to them. I didn’t even notice David standing beside them, yet he was there the whole time too. It’s like tunnel vision happens and all I can see is Jeremiah… and Theo.
“I think it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said all that in the gift store. I must’ve put you in a weird headspace,” Mia says sadly, before ordering the two of us a couple of Mojito’s. If I’m being honest, I don’t even want a drink. But, maybe it’ll do me some good. Settle the nerves.
“It’s not your fault. You brought up some very real concerns…” My eyes wander over to the table that we left in the middle of the room. Jeremiah and Theo have both sat down with David now and they’re all talking with the rest of the table. It looks casual…
Are my worries all in my head?
I shake my head. “Don’t worry about me. Honestly, I’ll be fine. Tonight will be a great time.” I smile, bringing her in for a tight hug.
“Okay, Chay. You know I’ve always got you.” She hums into my chest.
I pat her on the back and we grab our drinks.
We head back to the terrible where Jeremiah’s eyes instantly lock on mine.
“Sorry we didn’t grab anyone else's drinks. Don’t know if you all drink or not,” Mia says, sitting down.
“I definitely do so I will for sure be ordering a double Rum and Coke,” David says, rubbing his hands together.
“I’ll grab you a Sprite,” Theo whispers to Jeremiah like some sort of secret, throwing his arm over his shoulder for a tight squeeze. He gets up to leave the table to grab the three of them drinks and I swear, I see red.
I know Jeremiah doesn’t drink.
I know he loves Sprite.
I know that more than anyone.
My hand grips my Mojito glass hard as I stare down into the ice cubes. I feel like I could punch a hole in the wall.
Suddenly, I feel a light kick at my feet. My eyes dart up to see Jeremiah wiggling his eyebrows at me, flirtatiously before quickly looking away.
“Mia, is Rachel coming tonight?” Jeremiah asks, smiling.
“Nah, she has to work tonight. She’ll be at the Gala tomorrow night though.” Mia smiles.
“Oh, a friend of yours? Tell her I’m single.” David smiles, swaying along to the beat of the song playing.
Mia's eyebrow arches. “I’m sure my girlfriend may have a few single friends that would love to know that…” Her eyes look David over from head to toe. “...doubtful.”
I hold back a laugh, grabbing my Mojito to stifle my chuckle.
“You going up there tonight?” Jeremiah asks, his attention back on me. His foot casually slides up and down my ankle sending flutters through my stomach. I’d love to just get out of here and just spend the rest of the night together again.
“Would you like that?” I blurt. My eyes widen as does his at my tone. “Uhhh…because my voice is so good. I like to sing, you know?” I revert my attention to David.