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CHAPTER 40
Evan
“Igot the job!” Marcus nearly shouts through the phone.
“Oh my god, I knew you would!” I shout at my desk before getting up. I knew it had to be something big the second his name popped up on my phone in the middle of a workday.
“I can’t believe it,” he muses and I can hear the smile in his voice.
“I can, I’m so proud of you! Tell me everything,” I lightly demand.
Marcus has been applying to jobs for three months now, and finally, he got one.
“It’s with a production company in downtown Seattle,” he tells me, the words tumbling out fast. “They focus on social media campaigns and work with brands. They even have some environmental conservation clients. I don’t know exactly what I’ll be working on yet, but there are a lot of options and the pay is better than what I’m making now! They want me to start in three weeks.”
I’m pacing in the hallway at work now, unable to sit down, too wound up on adrenaline because he really wanted this one. He’d done a few interviews but I knew this was his number one choice so he could be creative with the types of videos he worked on again, and really use his skills to tell a story.
“Three weeks is perfect, especially because I want you here as soon as possible.”
“Holy shit, baby. We’re really doing this. I’m really moving to Seattle.”
“You’re really doing this,” I confirm, and I feel like I could cry right here at work because I’m so happy and relieved. “You’re coming home to me.”
He goes quiet for a second, and when he speaks again, something in his voice has shifted. “I keep waiting to feel sad about it,” he admits. “Chicago, I mean. Leaving it. And I don’t. I thought I would, at least a little, but I don’t.”
“You don’t have to force yourself to feel sad if you don’t.”
“I know, it’s just strange and only confirms that I’m making the right decision. The only thing I’ll miss is Josh.”
Josh has been such an incredible friend to Marcus. He doesn't live in Chicago, but he’s close enough to visit often. “Have you told him yet?”
“Not yet. I’ll tell him this weekend when he’s here. He’ll be happy for me, but it’s still going to be strange. He’s the only person who’s known me my whole life and never left.”
“You’re not losing him. We should invite him on a trip here.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Marcus agrees. “Damn, there’s so much to do. I need to give my two weeks’ notice and figure out what to do with my lease, and pack, and—”
“Sweetheart, breathe.” I lean back against the wall, steadying my voice. “We’ll figure this all out. I’ll fly back to help you. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Accepting help and leaning on me is still something he needs reminders of sometimes, but I’m happy to give them as many times as it takes.
“Tell me when would be the best day for me to fly in, and I’ll book my flight,” I continue. “Then we can either road-trip it in your Jeep or fly back and ship your car. We’ll figure it out together.”
He lets out a long exhale. “Thank you, Evan. Really.”
“I’d never let you do this move alone.”
“Is the ‘our apartment’ thing still on the table?" He hesitates, and I can picture his expression perfectly, that careful uncertainty he still gets sometimes when he’s asking for something instead of just hoping for it. “Now that it’s actually happening?”
“Of course I want you to live with me.” I say it easily, wanting there to be zero room for doubt in it. “I love you, and renting two apartments in Seattle in this economy would be insane. We can find a bigger place when my lease is up in August, but you’re moving in with me. End of discussion.”
“End of discussion, huh?”
“Absolutely. I’m not negotiating on this.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll move in with you.”
“Damn right you will.”
