AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is it. This meeting is literally going to change the course of my life forever.
"You got this," Col mutters quietly to me as we approach the front desk. "I'm here with you, and this will go well."
"Thank you."
He's got no way of knowing what the outcome will be, but just having him here by my side means more to me than he'll ever know.
Eighteen minutes later, we're back in the lift. I press theGbutton, still in shock. "That was fast."
"I'm surprised, but not that surprised. We produced a clear and concise proposal," Col says, keeping his voice measured. "It was easy to understand, and they agreed with our approach."
"Yeah. You can say that again."
Our proposal was accepted in full. We get to keep a fifty-acre parcel of land that contains all four houses, including Gran's cottage, as well as six vehicles. And I get to do another muster. They agreed on a December 15 termination date, which gives me two weeks after I get back to wrap everything up.
Still, it's not really a victory. It's not like we won the lottery or anything. We actually lost everything, managing to salvage only a tiny bit of everything we've worked hard for our whole lives. I'm grateful and mad at the same time, and it's a confusing mix of emotions.
"You must be hungry," I say when we get back into the car.
"I could eat."
I turn the engine on and smile. "Well, I may be broke, but I still have a credit card as well as an overwhelming desire to keep you well fed—selflessly, for my own safety—so where would you like to go?"
"Don't talk about being broke. Please. It's not funny. And I'm paying for lunch anyway."
"Nuh-uh."
"Do not fight me on this, Wilby."
"Oh, I'll fight you all right."
We're both grinning so it's not an actual fight, more like a play fight between toddlers. Very immature toddlers.
We bicker all the way to the restaurant Col chooses, which, as it turns out, is the Opera Bar we went to the night we met.
"Any reason you chose this place?" I ask, taking his hand as we walk, our arms swinging. "Any sentimental value perhaps?"
"None whatsoever," he replies dryly, and kudos to him for keeping a straight face.
We take a seat out front and place our food order on my phone. I'm sitting with my back to the bridge and harbour so that Col can enjoy the view.
"I see what you mean now," he says once our food arrives.
"About what?"
He grabs a few fries and points them behind me. "About how this isn't the real Australia. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful and everything, but some of the places I've seen. Man…this country has so much natural beauty. Vast landscapes. An open sky with the deepest blue I've ever seen."
"Incredibly hot dudes," I help out.
"They're okay."
I laugh. "Just okay?"
He takes his thumb and index finger and makes a little gap. "This much okay."
I'll take it. A compliment from Col feels like winning the lottery. As does making him laugh. Making him come. Making him…happy.
I think I make him happy. I hope I do.
