8
Nathaniel
Happy hour is upon me before I’m ready. Even though it was my idea, the hours just slip by and there’s still so much to do. The pile seems to grow without anything being checked off.
“Ready, BC?” Jared pops his head in my office door.
Big Cheese has really stuck with the team. It has experienced several iterations and interpretations including but not limited to: Queso Grande, The Cheesiest, Big Cheeser, and now even BC when in a hurry.
“Yeah, just wrapping up. I’ll meet you guys in five.”
He squints at me with skepticism.
“I will. Look. Saving file,” I insist.
“Want to ride together?” he asks. “I can bring you back here since you’re most definitely going to work more.”
I give a sheepish shrug. “Nah, thanks though.”
He nods and heads out. The truth is Iwillhave to come back to catch-up after. I have more than enough work to keep me here all night but getting the team together and intentionally talking about anything other than Lite-Brite is crucial for morale.
I also have to insist Julia joins. When she first started, she seemed so full of easy light and happiness, optimistic in a way that drew everyone in. And yet lately every time we pass, her shoulders are a little more hunched, her color more drawn. It’s like working on this contract is sucking the life right from her. I have to keep an eye on her.
To make sure she doesn’t burn herself out. No other reason.
I grab my keys and wallet and head out. My feet bring me past Julia’s office despite it not technically being on my way. She’s bobbing her head to music, her feet tapping happily under her desk. Something she does when she thinks nobody can see her. It’s unnervingly adorable. A smile spreads on my face unbidden. After a moment of letting myself blatantly watch her, I shift into her line of sight. She glances up.
She pulls out an earbud. “Hey,” she says with an easy smile. New tension pulls around her mouth and eyes.
Do I make her uncomfortable for some reason? I have asked a lot of her since she started but have tried to maintain distance so she doesn’t feel like I am hovering. Guilt eats at me. This is what happens to everyone working at Shemesh-Tek. Overworked, stressed, not sleeping enough. I tell myself this team is working toward something huge, that these are the sacrifices we willingly pay, but she’s just started and already the stress is hitting her hard.
“Ready?” I ask her, nodding toward the exit.
Her eyes widen before they flick to check the time on her monitor. “Wow. The days really fly here.”
“That they do. Come on, birthday girl. You’re the guest of honor.”
“Okay. Just for a bit, and then I’m gonna come back and finish this.” She stretches her arms overhead, back arching, and I drop my gaze to the floor.
“No overtime,” I warn. I try to arrange my features into my best mean-boss face but it’s never been very convincing.
She grins. “It’s not overtime. Technically. And now I won’t have to come in this weekend, per your instructions.”
I want to tell her that she shouldn’t be working so late anyway, but wouldn’t that be calling the kettle black?
“Okay. Wanna ride together?” I ask as casually as I can. I didn’t mean to say it. The words just came out. My body wants to be around her before my mind can catch up.
She stills as she collects her bag.
“The bar is right down the road,” I add quickly. “I can bring you back to the office because I have to check the tests running for the weekend.” Mostly the truth. But what am I doing? This is inappropriate. Is it? No, it’s not. I just want her to feel comfortable around me. I want her to feel like part of the team. It’s no different than Jared offering me a ride.
Yes it is, a little voice warns.
“Okay. I’ll drive,” she says. “My Jeep is parked right outside this door.”
If she was able to get a spot so close to the door, it means that she was here first thing this morning. More guilt eats at me. She’s definitely over her forty hours. If I can’t help how hard this contract is, I can at least ensure she has a little fun on her birthday.
“Let’s go,” I say and gesture out.
