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She answered right away. “Hey, are you here?”
“Yes. Don't tell me he's overworking you on the first day already. I’ll have a word with him.”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just that a couple of us are hanging out, and they asked if I want to stay too. I figured it might help me fit in with my colleagues. You’re welcome to join us. Nick and Leo are here. I’d love for you to be here too.”
Before meeting Natalie, I would’ve flat-out said no. An evening with my half brothers sounded like the last thing I wanted to do. But maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing, especially since my girl was there.
"I’m coming upstairs. Where is it?”
“It’s the second floor.”
When I stepped out of the elevator, my first thought was that I'd gotten off at the wrong floor and walked into a frat party. Then I realized there were offices all around here, and some people were even wearing suits. That didn't stop them from playing... was that Ping-Pong? In the middle of the room? There were several games happening at the same time.
"What's this?" I asked as Natalie came over to me, smiling from ear to ear.
"It's a Ping-Pong tournament. They’re testing the concept of in-office tournaments before pitching it to clients.”
I looked around, stunned. "A Ping-Pong tournament in an office?"
"Yes, Jake," Maddox said, appearing out of nowhere. "Some like to do team-building activities in the office."
"Yeah. Rumor has it you've got yours eating dinner at the office. Makes sense,” Nick said.
"We don't believe that, though," Leo added. "Or should we?"
I couldn't help myself from laughing. I didn't know what was more comical, that they’d believe that about me or that they wouldn't.
“This”—I pointed to the tables—“is not how I run things, that’s all.”
"You're welcome to give it a try," Maddox said, motioning at me with the racket.
"No, thanks. I'm good with watching."
Nick gave Leo five bucks. "You win."
"What's that?" I asked.
"We bet on if you would like to join us or not. I have too much faith in you, it seems," Nick said.
"Or I too little," Leo replied. "It's all a matter of perspective."
"Hey, don't annoy him," Natalie said, "or he'll never show his face around here."
"My thoughts exactly," I said, putting an arm around her shoulders. Typically, I wouldn't show public displays of affection at her place of work, but looking around, I saw there were several other couples, and this was after work hours anyway. I assumed that meant every employee could bring their better half if they wanted to.
"Okay. It's my turn with my team," Natalie said, rushing off to play a game.
"She already has a team?"
"Don't sound so stunned. She's a social butterfly," Maddox said. "I think this job is going to be great for her.”
“She’s got many talents,” Nick said.
"I agree." Apparently making friends with her coworkers within one day was one of those talents. I was very proud of her.
I looked at Nick and Leo. "So, you two drop by often?"
"We'll be here for most of the Ping-Pong tournament," Nick agreed. "We also host events at our offices, and Maddox is welcome too. I'm surprised Gabe couldn't make it tonight. He usually joins us."
