Page 100 of Just Bromantically Invested
Relief crosses his face. “Penn, I could kiss you.”
“Better not,” Madden says, walking in behind me. “I have a real issue with sharing.”
Madden kisses my cheek and pulls up a seat at Damien’s desk, and I do the same.
“All ready for the launch?” I ask them.
Damien scrolls down his computer screen. “It’s looking promising. After all the pushback we’ve had in the past few months, I’m just relieved it’s happening.”
Those were a rough few months for us all. Having a nudist resort in the heart of Seattle brought out a lot of complaints once people worked out what was happening. People immediately equate nudity with sex and assumed the place would be one giant orgy. It’s not something I can judge them for since it’s such a common misconception, but I’m glad I know better now.
I’m completely comfortable with Madden being who he is, and I’m planning to go naked to the grand opening myself.
Madden hands over his pickles, and I pass back my tomato. We’re all quiet for a moment while we eat.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Madden mutters.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Damien nods. “I couldn’t have done it without you. We’ve already outsold the membership numbers I was projecting.”
While I always had high hopes for Peach Acres, it’s bittersweetto see it such an immediate success. With Madden working here, it means we’ll likely never be running the business side by side again. On one hand, I miss those days we had; on the other, if we went back to working side by side, there’s no guarantee I wouldn’t kill him.
We live together, we spend time with all the same friends every weekend, and we talk work until our ears bleed, but this balance works for us.
My team will be doing work here, but it’s not every day, and I don’t need to be on-site for them to be. Madden and I still have that separation.
Plus, I see how happy he is here, and if it’s anything like the satisfaction I get from work, I’d never want anything less for him.
Madden deserves the best.
Because he always gives me the best.
There’s no more feeling like I’m competing for his attention, and it probably helps that his Bertha family adopted me and helped me drink the Kool-Aid. They’re all as close as ever, which is something Madden worried about when he moved out, but it also means Madden has branched out and made other friends.
The people he works with here, some of the early members, and one or two of the guys I’ve hired.
He’s never alone.
And thanks to him, neither am I.
I might not be a people person, but I’m Madden’s person. I’ve learned so much from him about how to let people in, and I’m less reliant on him now that I have people of my own in my life.
They’re all coming to this opening to show their support, and Lana said she’s even gathering up the courage to go naked as well. Lisa said she’ll go so far as her underwear, but I’ll believe that when I see it.
The good thing about Peach Acres, though, is that it doesn’t matter what they wear. It’s a place that’s judgment-free, for people to be however they’re most comfortable.
I don’t find it surprising at all that it’s something Madden would help bring into the world.
He’s the kindest soul I know.
And I’ll be forever grateful he’s all mine.
Head, heart, and gut.
We’re meant for each other.
