“See you soon,”Iechoed, taking solace in the fact thatIwould see her again at her birthday party.
And thenIdid my best not to groan as she did pull away from me, walking out of the warehouse into the daylight.
* * *
A couple days later,after a long day of restocking the warehouse,JenandIsat down to go through the finances.Iwas surprised when she asked–Iwas leaving soon, and she hadn’t involved me all summer– but she seemed to be trying to make amends for not including me before.
“I do want you here,” she said. “Solet’s get on the same page about when we can make that happen.”
The event had been really profitable, as expected.Plus, one of the vendors– the last-minute addition– had apparently confirmed that they wanted to start stocking our mead in their farm shop and on their website.Itwas almost nothing compared to the supermarket deals we were still hoping for, but it was exciting thatChloe’swork was already showing clear returns.
But even with the projected growth from making theGwenynenCultureFestivalan annual thing, and with the money still to come from the council forChloe’swork, it wasn’t enough to keep me on permanently.NotthatI’dbeen expecting it to, but still, it stung to see the figures go negative when we put in the required salary for sponsorship.Therow for it was just belowChloe’ssalary, butIwas pleasantly surprised to find that it didn’t hurt, seeing her above me in the spreadsheet.Iwas proud of her; happyforher.
Jen spent a lot of the meeting making it clear to me that she wasn’t trying to edge me out.Thatshe wanted me around like she’d said.She’ddone the budget all the way out to next year, making sureIcould see that she could afford my pay even withChloeon board, and for the full six months this time.
It was nice to see how important it was to her to make me feel wanted, but part of me wondered if the whole thing was maybe a bitSisyphean.Wouldwe ever be in a position for me to join full time?Orwould we just keep pushing it to next year, and then the next, like we had for years?Andif so, how long couldIkeep this up?
“So, it’s official, then?”Iasked asJenset a mug of tea on the table in front of me. “You’rehiringChloepermanently?”
“That’s the plan,” she said, sitting down next to me. “Thatstill okay with you?”
“You don’t need my permission,”Isaid, then laughed at the beleaguered look she gave me. “Butyes,Ithink it’s the right thing to do.”
“I’m sorry,Ted,” she said, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me in so my head rested on her shoulder. “I’dhave you in a heartbeat ifIcould.”
“I know,”Isaid, andIreally did.
In bed later,Iwent through the numbers on my laptop for the millionth time, wishing something were different; hoping for aHailMary.Butit all came out the same.Andlike it or not, it was time to fly the nest, even ifIwas leaving behind the peopleIloved.
I just had a very important party to attend first.
* * *
OnThursday,after doing some garden planning and going over fall and winter hive management protocols again withMaggieandJen,Igot ready forChloe’sbirthday party.Ichanged clothes several times, wanting to look right for the last timeI’dsee her before leaving.Iwrapped up her presents one inside the other– somethingI’dbeen working on for weeks, and something elseIhoped she wouldn’t think was weird– and drove into town, my stomach churning with nervous energy.Ifidgeted with her handmade gift asIdrove, then tucked it back inside the folds of the makeshift wrapping asIparked in front ofFatima’s.
Chloe greeted me at the door, andInearly stumbled whenIsaw what she was wearing.Thatyellow corset: the same one she’d been wearing the first time we’d met at theRenFaireseven months ago.
I wondered what the version of me from that day would say if she knewIwas now completely in love with this woman.
“You bitch,”Isaid, smiling down at her.
“Thought you’d appreciate this,” she said, tugging at the fabric.
“ThatIdo.”
“Single use, my ass.”Shecaught my eye and smirked up at me– she knew exactly what she was doing.NowI’dbe fighting with myself not to unlace that corset in my mind– or, hell, even in real life– in front of her friends.
Everyone seemed excited, though maybe a little surprised, to see me.Clearly, they knew something had happened betweenChloeand me.
“Have you thought any more about that hike?”Jackasked as we settled around the dining table. “Iwas thinking we could wait until it cools down a bit more, but it’s meant to be really good in the early autumn.”
My chest sank. “I’llbe back inCaliforniaby then,”Isaid, trying to disguise the thickness in my voice. “Butyou andMorganshould come visit.Wecould do a road trip up the coast.”
Jack looked caught off guard for a moment, but then he smiled and said maybe they would, andIfound myself genuinely hoping they’d take me up on the offer.
After dinner, a delicious four-course masterpiecePhilhad apparently spent days on, it was time for presents.Amyturned to me asChloegathered her gifts in front of her like a greedy child.Itwas adorable.
“You know,I’mthe reason you’re here,”Amysaid.Philcleared his throat from the kitchen, where he was still clearing up. “Sorry,” she amended, “weare the reason.”
