Page 13 of Go Find Less
“I need to get this reunion shit out of the way so I can focus on work. I literally don’t have time for this.” I look down at my phone, and then sideways at Vic. He’s giving me a knowing smile. “Fuck off.”
“Feisty,” he says saucily, returning to his desk, and I look down at my own, where my phone sits.
Fuck it. I can’t wait around forever.
PIPER DELMONICO
Hi there. Any chance I can come take a look at the venue for the reunion? Kyle and I need to get started on a few items, but I want to get a good visual, take some measurements, etc. If not, it’s totally fine-
I catch myself. No. It’s not totally fine. He volunteered the venue. That’s great. But I needed access to get my part done. I shouldn’t dismiss that just to make him feel better. I delete the last sentence and press send. It’s a few minutes before he responds.
FITZ WESTFALL
I can arrange for the venue manager to meet you there one morning this week.
I bite my lips. Mornings during the week. I don’t want to bother them while they’re getting ready for an event, which I’m sure they will be on a weekend, but I couldn’t leave the office for this.
PIPER DELMONICO
I work 9-5 M-Th, but I have a half day Friday. Would 2 on Friday work?
It takes him a little longer to respond.
FITZ WESTFALL
That’s fine. I’ll get it arranged.
PIPER DELMONICO
Thank you!
FITZ WESTFALL
Of course. Let me know if you need anything else.
I reread the message. A few times, actually.
Let me know if you need anything else.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard - or read - Fitz say something so…casual? But my worry is satiated, knowing that I can cross a few things off my list after this weekend.
Chapter 5
Fitz
“Roscoe!”Fromacrossthepark, he comes running, his pointy ears flying back on top of his head, long legs bounding on the wood chips. My dog comes to a screeching halt in front of me, offering the tennis ball in his mouth, and I take it, tossing it back in the same direction. He goes off after it, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes as he nearly trips over a tiny pug. Settling down into the bench behind me, I sip at the beer in my hands, trying to let the last few weeks roll off my back.
Spring is one of the busiest times for us - everyone wants a spring wedding. But even more than that, corporate clients have renewed budgets they can spend, people are traveling for spring break, and the nice weather means more people coming to enjoy our in-house restaurants with city line patio views.
Which means we’re swamped. I’m not boots on the ground as much anymore, but the day to day of fielding calls from our locations, sifting through insurance documents and repair requests, has been mind-numbing. When I was appointed Chief Operations Officer just a few years ago, I thought I would still get to do what I enjoyed - watching the work we put into events pay off, like a well oiled machine. But then I realized that the job was more paperwork than personal ROI, and after Olivia…I was exhausted.
Taking time like this away from the office, away from the home I shared with her, just me, Roscoe, a beer and the dog park, is essential to my wellbeing. Without it, I’d probably explode on Georgia, my assistant.
“Vic, I’m gonna kill you!” My head whips around at the familiar voice, and I scan over the picnic tables on the deck behind me, flanked on either side by rows of food trucks. Sure enough, there she is. Piper.
She sits at a table near the ledge overlooking the park, her hair pulled back from her face, revealing dark-framed glasses. She’s overdressed - not that I’m surprised - in a pair of plaid capri pants and a blue, short sleeved sweater-shirt, looking like she just stepped off the set of Mad Men.
Around the table sit three men - one I instantly recognize as Vic, from high school. He’s filled out since the last time I saw him, probably graduation, but his face is so similar. The other two I don’t recognize, but one, with a fedora covering his head, has his arms wrapped around her shoulders, trying to hold her back as Vic dangles what looks like a piece of squid in front of her face.
