Chase
I Hope You Understand by Del Water Gap
“You’re late,” I say, handing Mia her hot caramel macchiato as she rushes into the banquet hall.
“Actually,” she says, slightly out of breath, “after picking up extra lights from the department store because, quote-unquote, ‘the venue doesn’t sparkle enough,’ a backup Bluetooth speaker because ‘the venue’s audio is from two thousand and four,’ and my mini sewing kit because you ripped your pocket reaching for a mid-morning snack— I’d say I’m right on time.
” She crinkles her nose as she snatches the coffee from my hand.
I take a deep breath. She’s right. She’s been busting her ass for me—and for the whole team—all morning.
Hell, so have I. All on a minimal amount of sleep too. I spent all night watching sappy romcoms with Mia to get my mind off of how badly I wanted to cave to go and see Jeremiah. I told him I needed space but fuck, space sucks.
I glance around the room. It’s a controlled chaos of people setting up the stage, adjusting lighting, testing audio, stringing up décor.
This night is finally happening. All this preparation is finally here.
“I couldn’t have done this without you, you know?” I say, turning back to her.
She tilts her head and offers a soft smile.
“I know. And we all know none of this would’ve happened without you, either.” She pokes me in the chest.
I rub the spot, but the ache is nothing compared to the swell of pride I feel at her words.
This month has been a lot of work. Probably the hardest I’ve ever had at this company. And underneath all the Jeremiah stuff, I really have been killing myself to make sure WingMate stays at the top of the online dating game.
This means everything to me.
Well... almost everything.
“Lost you there.” Mia waves a hand in front of my face, snapping me out of it.
I grab her shoulders and spin her toward the chaos. “Tinsel fringe curtains. Photo booth. Come help me.”
She groans, dragging her feet behind me. “I didn’t sign up for this.”
***
I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, fidgeting with my bow tie. Seriously—a black bow tie? What was I thinking?
Ryan stops in the doorway, his eyes dragging down the length of my fitted suit.
“Whoa, dude. You look… really fucking good.”
“The bow tie isn’t too much?” I ask, turning toward him. He’s in a dark grey suit—it fits him, complements those ocean eyes. He went with a standard tie. Smart choice.
“Not at all,” he says, walking over and adjusting the knot at my neck. “The place is supposed to be swanky and posh anyway. You look the part. Trust me.”
I roll my eyes and exhale, trying to settle my nerves. “Okay. Thanks. And thank you… for, you know, being my date and all.”
“Eh, I should be thanking you. Nice change from my usual gym-to-couch circuit.” He smooths down his jacket with a wink. “Been kind of a wet rag lately.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. And, I’m sorry about that. I haven’t really been the best best-friend, have I?”
“No, you’ve been shit.” He grins, but it’s kind. “But… maybe you being so busy lately has been a weird blessing in disguise. Forced me to kind of take a look at my life, you know?”
My brow arches. “Hm. What kind of epiphany are we talking about here?”
His eyes flick away, a flush creeping into his cheeks. “I don’t know. Just… time to get serious, I guess. About life. About who I want to be.”
My curiosity rises. “This sounds big. Is there someone new in your life?”
His mouth opens, then closes. Opens again. I throw up my hands and turn back to the mirror.
“Okay, whatever. Stay weird.”
“Well… what about you, huh? Isn’t Jeremiah going to be there tonight?”
“Yeah,” I mutter, fixing my cufflinks. “He’s kind of my boss, so...”
“Uh oh. You guys haven't made up yet? Poor guy was searching everywhere for you. You over him that quickly?”
Not a chance.
I sigh, staring at my reflection.
Jeremiah could never be a fling to me. I'm pretty sure I've been serious about him from the very beginning. But there's still a part of him that doesn't trust me. I can feel it. And I'm scared it's enough to keep us from building a future together if he never fully lets me in.
“I'm ready when you are!” Ryan calls from the living room.
I hadn't even realized he'd left the room.
***
The whole way back to the Gala from this morning, I’ve had the worst case of anxiety. I can’t help but shake the feeling like this is going to be a pivotal moment in my career…and life.
Just a month ago, I went from being on the marketing team to leading the marketing team and becoming an integral part of WingMate, working as the COO’s second hand. This Gala is…my project. Our project, of course but…it’s my chance to show how serious I am about this company.
This is everything I’ve been working so hard to accomplish.
But, it’s also crazy to me that my mind is half on that and also on what’s to come for Jeremiah and I afterwards too.
I told him to figure out his feelings but what if he decides I’m not worth all this drama?
I was just…jealous and emotional last night and now I don’t know if I just potentially pushed him all the way too far that he won’t come back.
After today, he has all the reason to go back to just being my boss and me being…
just that moment he had secretly with one of his coworkers.
I swipe my hand over my forehead, praying to God I didn’t just mess up my hair that I spent fifteen minutes on fixing.
Oh fuck, here I go spiraling again.
“Mia and Rachel are going to be there tonight right?” Ryan asks, running his hands up and down his thighs. “Theo too?”
We’re sitting in the back of the Uber as I frantically text the marketing group chat to make sure everything is up and running how it’s supposed to.
All systems seem go.
“For the millionth time, yes,” I mutter, double checking with Jocelyn that the executive team will be there to welcome the investors.
There will be a bunch more there tonight but all needs to be set since David and Theo sound like they’re wanting to sign the papers after the Gala.
WingMate will officially be a fully invested company.
We’ve already got them so this should all be a seamless transaction.
It should be…only, the way Jeremiah spoke to me about work last night, it sounded like there were some complicated things happening under the scene. I’m hoping everything will be laid out clear and out in the open after the Gala since I’m barely keeping it together as is.
I look down at my knee that’s bouncing fast. I didn’t even notice I was doing that.
“Hey, you okay?” Ryan nudges my knee with his, pulling me out of my head.
“Huh? Uh–yeah, of course,” I say looking at him.
“Good, because I think we’re here,” he points out the window to his right and my eyes veer over his shoulder. We are in fact here and it looks marvelous even from outside.
Pot lights dart up the long stone driveway that wraps all the way up until we get to the big fountain in the middle of the courtyard.
Getting out, we arrive at the front of the extravagant building set like a decked out mansion.
Ushers in suits and ties stand on either side, escorting well dressed guests inside.
“Holy shit, you guys really went all out.” Ryan’s mouth slacked open as he stared up at the beautiful building.
“Yeah, we really did. Come on.” I tap him on the chest with the back of my hand and walk inside. The ushers give me a nudge as I walk through and we enter the Gala.
The room is lit with twinkle lights draped beside dripping chandeliers.
The walls are trimmed in gold arched accents that look straight out of a Roman Cathedral.
Servers walk around with trays of appetizers and champagne.
I can feel the energy vibrating from the floors up through my feet.
The music is thumping, the chandelier is casting a glittery glow across the room, and people are already filling the room smiling, drinking, dancing.
I exhale and look around. It’s better than I ever imagined it to be.
It looks even better than it did this morning.
For a second, it doesn’t feel real. This was just an idea passed between Jeremiah and I, last month.
Now it’s alive. But it’s hard to stay present when I know who I’m waiting for.
The thought of him makes my heart beat faster.
“Chase, look at this place!” Mia’s voice breaks out of the crowd, her little arms swinging up and around my neck.
“Right? It looks incredible.” I laugh, standing back to take a longer look at her. “Wait, forget this place. You look incredible. Wow!”
Mia turns side to side to show off her long satin gold dress. It catches the light beautifully against her brown skin, making her glow. The backless cut deserves all the attention it’s getting.
“Rachel, you look gorgeous tonight too.”
Mia playfully twirls her date’s hand as Rachel smiles over at me.
She bats her eyelashes, dressed in a black lace, long-sleeved dress that fits her like it was made for her.
Her dark red lipstick gives her a femme-fatale edge, and if I wasn’t so far gone for one man in particular, I’d be dangerously close to drooling over both of them.
I glance over at Ryan, who looks completely lost—gaze flicking back and forth between the two of them with stars in his eyes.
“You okay there, buddy?” I ask, patting him on the back.
Ryan quickly closes his mouth and licks his lips. “H-hey ladies, you look fantastic this morning—this evening.”
“Ohmygosh Ryan, we make out with you once and you turn into total mush?” Rachel laughs.
My mouth drops open. “What!? When was this?”
“Uh, the night you weren’t home. It was literally nothing. We just had too many drinks and played a round of truth or dare. But, I think we broke him.” Mia pouts, patting Ryan on the head.
“I think I’m in love,” Ryan mutters to me. “Can you be in love with two people at once?”
I laugh but just as I go to answer, my eyes drift to the one person that has stolen my heart across the room.
“I wouldn’t know,” I breathe softly.