“Merry Christmas Eve to you, too!” Meredith’s voice came over the phone.
“Oh, right.” I looked at the date in the corner of my computer screen. It was Christmas Eve.
“Why are you on your computer right now?” Meredith asked.
“How do you know I’m on my laptop?” I looked around the studio apartment I’d been calling home for the last month, as if Meredith could see me.
“Your icon is green, showing you are active. And I just wanted to call and remind you to stop working and relax,” Meredith laughed. “It’s a holiday.”
“Well, what are you doing on your computer?” I asked, sitting back and taking a sip of whiskey.
“Well, little-known fact, my boss—which is you—has been commandeered for a bizarre side quest by our CEO, so now I’m stuck doingtwopeople’s jobs. So, I am checking my email to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I need to check-in on the status of that waterfront development’s permit requests because my girlfriend, Addison, is dragging me to midnight Mass. Luckily, I know that one of the city’s permit directors attends that church. I might see him at Mass, so I want to know the status.”
“Is your plan to try to cut in behind him in the communion line?” I laughed.
“Something like that,” Meredith retorted.
“That’s why we pay you the big bucks, Mer,” I chuckled. “I can’t think of anyone better for this project than you.”
“Where are you anyway?” Meredith asked.
“Atlanta adjacent,” I said between sips of whiskey.
“Where?”
“Exactly.”
“Sounds…swanky?” Meredith joked.
“Ugh, anything but. This town is lacking in pretty much every way possible. Really a hole in the wall.”
“Speaking of job promotions…” Meredith said with a laugh.
“Who was talking about job promotions?” I questioned playfully.
“Me,” Meredith said. “Everyone at the office seems to think the old man is finally going to give you the job.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” I said. Anytime anyone mentioned a potential promotion, I felt the familiar nervous sensation in my stomach.
“No, no. This humble version of you won’t do. You’re not supposed to leave me alone in New York for nothing. You’re supposed to move to Atlanta to accept the best job our company has to offer,” Meredith said without trying to hide her annoyance. “What is this self-doubt? Don't tell me all the time and money you’ve spent on therapy and executive career coaching was a waste. My God, you could have bought a Mercedes with all the money you’ve spent on therapy.”
“Well, Mer,” I started slowly. “Therapy wasn’t about winning a job.”
“Oh, right.” I can hear Meredith sigh on the other end. “Yes, yes. Right. Processing your grief and past traumas so you can make real connections with people and be less of a man-slut and thus have a more fulfilling future. Yes. That rings a bell.”
“I’m so touched, Meredith. You have been listening all this time,” I joked.
“Any chance you’re dating someone wherever you are?” Meredith asked.
“Nah, I’ve decided to take a little break from dating. Focus on this project. Give myself some time to get my life together before I get involved with anyone. Why?”
“Well, I think it would help with some of the gossip going around the break room. People are already acting like assholes about the potential leadership changes. Charles in real estate already made some shitty comment about how having a bachelor for a CEO means more women will try to sleep their way to the top of the company, and he’s even made snide remarks thatsome already have,” Meredith said with a slight edge to her voice. She paused and said under her breath, “I don’t need that.”
“You slept with Braithway? He’s in his 60’s, I think! The Silver Fox strikes again,” I joked, laughing.
“It’s not funny, William,” Meredith said seriously. “I’ve always loved hanging out with you and our friendship means a lot, but I don’t want people to think that I am where I am in my career because I sucked your dick when we were in grad school.”
I sat up and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Shit, Meredith. I think anyone who has ever met you knows that you are where you are because you’re a ruthless and relentless genius who is an absolute deal hound. Not because of anything else. Charles is a dipshit. He’s just jealous because you’re out there expanding airports, transforming waterfront properties, and brokering million-dollar deals. None of that has anything to do with me.”
