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As excited as I was about meeting with Violet to discuss the offer she and the other partners had come up with for me, I couldn’t help but think about what happened yesterday. It was Sunday, and after Mecca and I left church, we went out for brunch before going back to my place. We were completely surprised by our parents bombarding us just like we’d done them. I invited them inside, and they all admitted to seeing the error of their ways. Time away from us had humbled them and gotten them to accept the fact that, even with the best intentions, what they did was wrong. They apologized and promised to give us continued space, but also made it clear they wouldn’t let us be away from them for long.
I appreciated the gesture and had been thinking about them a lot. A part of me wanted to host some kind of dinner for our parents and siblings at Mecca’s home. It was clear we were going to be together forever this time around, and we’d need to not only get along with our own parents but each other’s as well. My struggle was making that move too soon. On the other hand, after fifteen years without Mecca, I didn’t want to make the mistake of wasting more time—especially with my father’s health being as it is.
“Hey,” Mecca called softly, gaining my attention. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just thinking about last night.”
“Me too. What are you thinking?”
“I’m not sure, love. I want to reconcile, especially since they’ve finally humbled themselves and admitted they were wrong, but I’m still hurt by what they did.”
“I am too, but at least we found our way back to each other. I would be at peace slowly making our way back into their lives if you would be too. It doesn’t have to be quick or even all at once. Maybe just Sunday dinners for now and that’s it. That way, we’ll be able to stay updated on what’s going on with them, and they’ll know what’s going on with us, but we’ll still have space.”
“I think that’ll work. We can talk about it more when we get home.”
“Home, huh?” He grinned as he wrapped his arms around me and pressed me into the elevator. “I love the sound of that. What’s it going to take for you to move in with me?”
“A ring on my finger.”
“I already got it. I’m just waiting for the right time. If you’re telling me you’ll say yes, I’ll make the right time happen.”
My hand ran down his cheek as he brushed his nose against mine. “Of course, I’ll say yes.”
“Good to know.”
He gave me a slow, tender kiss until the elevator dinged. We said goodbyes and he wished me luck as he got off on his floor. I was going to the conference rooms on the fifth floor. Even though I knew regardless of what the partners offered, I’d be straight, I was still nervous. I’d been freelancing for the last decade and it was exciting thinking about working with a company permanently. Not just because of the insurance and benefits I missed out on being self-employed, but also because of the community. I adored Amelia and Parker, Violet was cool, and then there was my man. He madeallthings better.
I made my way into the conference room where Violet was seated. She looked stylish, as always, in a violet-colored dress that clung to her curves. Her hair was pulled back into a low, sleek bun. Her attention shifted from her iPad to me. With a smile, she stood. We shook hands as she greeted me, then we sat down and immediately got down to business.
“My partners and I were able to come up with what I think will be a good offer for you. I’ve made Amelia aware of this meeting in case you’d like to have her look over it.”
“Okay, sounds good,” I agreed as she slid the folder over to me.
Opening it, I listened as she told me in condensed terms what was written.
“So, we’re offering half a million per year, plus bonuses for cases you consult on and win. The bonus will be the same amount of billable hours earned per client or case. There’s a 15 percent raise yearly for ten years as long as you agree to head and train our research department along with recruiting three additional researchers. After the ten-year mark, if you’re still here and want to continue, we can work up a new offer.”
I had to contain myself. This offer was a hell of a lot better than I expected. Though I didn’t think it could get any better, I did excuse myself to go to Amelia’s office so she could look it over. She agreed with me and approved of me accepting the terms.
So, I did.
Violet congratulated me and let me know she’d email me a signed copy for my records. She also set up a meeting for me and the other partners before my official start date. I wanted to honor my obligations to current clients, so I’d probably be starting in one to three months. Between Mecca, Parker, and Amelia, I had an idea already of how the partners would act and be.
I couldn’t wait to go to Mecca’s office to tell him I signed the offer, and he congratulated me and told me we would have to celebrate this evening. As I left the office, I was so happy with the direction my life had taken. I genuinely didn’t think anything could make life better than this.
* * *
Mecca was a trickster. I thought he and I would be celebrating alone this evening, but he’d gotten all of my friends together, including Stephanie and Draya, to celebrate me. My parents and sister were there too, along with Mecca’s people and friends.
We danced, ate, and drank the night away until a little after midnight. Before everyone started to trickle out of the restaurant he’d reserved for the evening, Mecca said he wanted to make a toast. He took me by the hand and led me to the center of our family and friends, who had circled around us.
“What can I do to make you halfway as happy as you’ve made me?” I asked as one of the waitresses for the evening filled our champagne flutes.
“Have my baby and be my wife.”
“I’ll stop taking my birth control pills now. The other part is up to you.”
Mecca gave me a warm smile and licked his lips before lifting his glass for the toast.
