“Sup, Cap? Thought you were in Chicago.”
“Had a few meetings I couldn’t reschedule, flying back out today.” He sighs like the weight of the world rests on his shoulders. So dramatic.
“What do you need?”
He gestures at the seat in front of his desk. I steal the tiny basketball stress ball from it and throw it in the air, catching it as I sit.
“Andersen Schulz and Meyers are officially rebranding. There is a bid to take it on and that means getting everything. New brand, website, socials management, everything. They have deals for TV ads and billboards already ongoing, so we get prime placement as the company who handles it if we win.” His excitement is contagious, and I lean forward.
“You got it already?” I am genuinely shocked, because these days it’s rare for him to handle a sale. That is almost completelymy responsibility, especially with the growth of the company. He’ll be in Chicago these next two months handling a new office opening, and now it’s my time to prove that I can run this show.
“Not yet, that is what I need you for. I’ve set up a meeting for you at their office on Friday, I need you to do what you do best.” Pride warms my chest at the recognition. Not that I feel it is needed, I’ve worked hard my whole life and even more so for Noah, who has been my closest friend since college. I’ve earned every ounce of recognition my work has given me, but it’s still nice to hear it every now and then.
I throw him a wide smile. “Email me the breakdown, I’ll send a proof tomorrow for the pitch and get ready to close.” I relax back in my seat and he nods, standing from his desk and pushing shit around. His serious businessman expression slides back into place.
“You look more stressed than usual…everything okay at home?” I ask with mock sweetness, expecting him to roll his eyes and laugh me off, but instead I get a look I’d only compare to a deer in headlights. He looks…terrified. “I was kidding…but seriously, is everything okay?” I sit up straighter, actually concerned for my friend. He and Addison are practically on top of each other, they are so in love; surely there isn’t trouble in paradise already? Noah looks to his open office door and I leap to close it before sitting back down in front of him.
“Uhhh…okay. I wasn’t going to tell anyone.” He paces behind his desk, clearly sweating bullets and it’s making me antsy.
“Oh no,” I breathe, “Addison’s pregnant, isn’t she? Oh God, Noah, isn’t it too soo?—”
“What? No, you idiot,” he scolds me, sounding extremely impatient and very unlike himself. “What is it with you and jumping to that conclusion? Not that it would be unwelcomed, but no, it’s not that.”
“You’re not really giving me much else to go on here. You look panicked, it was either she was pregnant or you cheated.” He hits me with a death stare and I raise my hands in defense. “Andobviouslythat would never happen, because you aren’t a walking trash bag. So spit it the fuck out. Your stress is contagious.” I feel like my skin is itchy.
“Well, I’m…thinking of buying a…Do you think…”
“Noah, sentences, I’m going to need full sentences, buddy.” I coax him like a fucking child.
“I want to marry Addison.” He stops pacing and stands directly behind his desk chair, his jaw tense, eyes bulging, and my jaw hits the desk.
“Oh.”
“Oh? Really?” He huffs, commencing his pacing again.
“Well…are you sure?”
“Obviously, I love her.”
“Yeah, that much is clear. But marriage is like…permanent, you know? Like, take half your shit kind of permanent.” I try to reason with him, but it doesn’t seem to be working, he just rolls his eyes and sits in the chair.
“That only applies if we get divorced, and that’s obviously not going to happen,” he says under his breath.
“Sure…but you can’t predict the future. What if she gets sick of your ass and finds someone better.” His concern morphs into panic when his eyes snatch to mine, and I suddenly feel really guilty.
“Look, I don’t mean to project…” I rub the back of my neck for something emotional and comforting to say, I can usually fluff my way through that kind of shit when it’s for the greater good, but it feels like I shouldn’t fake nice things right now. “I’m sure you and Addy are soul mates and will beat the odds.” I throw a little fist pump into the air, and he just drops his face incredulously.
“It’s too soon, isn’t it?” He sighs, falling into his chair, defeated.
“I mean, what’s too soon? Time is relative, if you waited longer, it…might be too long,” I say with utmost confidence.
“What?” Noah blinks.I honest to God have no idea what I just said.
“Do you want to marry her?”
“Obviously.”
“So just do it then.”
