Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,64

since I proposed, I hope?”

“Of course, you ass. We just picked a day, a time, and a gorgeous place. It’s official now.” He smiled and kissed me.

I got a call from a fellow editor the next day, asking me if I’d like to tour a new building with him. It was just opened and set up for every kind of media that one could need. It had studios for what we did that had all of the equipment, and it all came at a monthly cost that included an office for me to work in.

The best part is that it is a couple of blocks away from the apartment. He wanted to split the cost and share the double office, and we could separate work from home.

“What do you think?” I asked Hayden over dinner at our favorite Thai place. “It’s a hundred a month for six months, and I can cancel or pay a bit more to stay. Many of my clients already work there, and I could just use better equipment and work faster.”

“What are the hours?” Hayden asked as I tilted my head.

“I’m still self-employed. I just won’t clutter the apartment as much, though I can still work here. I have the option this way.” I gazed into his eyes. “It’s like I’ll have an office to go to now.”

“Try it. I just don’t want to become that couple that is always working opposite shifts, passing in the hallway. It’s hard enough on Becca and Mari, but they have a kid.” Hayden was honest.

“I don’t want that, either. I want to tell them to both work days and get daycare sometimes. They’re making it, though. I’ll give them that.” I smiled, feeling my excitement rising and falling in my chest. “We’ll make it.”

“I want you to try this. It might be a big step for you, and the place sounds incredible.” Hayden sipped his tea.

“You need to come check it out. They have places that podcasters film, a green screen, and so much more. I think it’s going to be great.”

“Just say when,” Hayden told me, stabbing some salad with his fork. “I might be at work more with weddings and events, though that’s exhausting. Not everyone is as easygoing as Jackson and Amy. There are crazy women out there getting married, and I won’t talk about some of the guys.”

“Are you there helping because you’re needed, or is it that you feel obligated?” I asked as he raised a brow. “You have an event planner and a staff that’s willing to help you?” He nodded. “It sounds like the caterer and bar service know what they’re doing.”

“Are you suggesting that I stay away from the events?” Hayden asked, watching as I scrubbed a hand through my hair.

“You already run the theater and it’s normal events. You head a staff, and they’re good. You don’t need to take on more.” Sadness crossed his face, making me realize that I hit a nerve. “I just don’t want you to burn yourself out. It was a big step taking that promotion, and here you’ve taken on another one.” I leaned over to kiss him. “I don’t want us to lose each other in life.”

“We won’t,” Hayden promised, kissing me again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Hayden

I kept my day shift at the theater and hired staff for the events. I would still oversee the details as it was planned, but Gray was right. I didn’t need to be at every single event for hours on end after working my normal shift. I still worked some nights if we were too shorthanded sometimes.

Gray started working at what he called his home away from home. He got the work done there quicker and seemed to be more productive, though he was gone a lot. He tried to keep it to when I was working, as best he could, but sometimes nights were required of him. Gray told me a while back that he didn’t want more clients, but they just materialized, and he took them on.

I knew that Gray wanted to go in on a summer house with Jackson, but his cousin was considerably richer than we were. We’d contribute, but probably never match, and that didn’t matter. Jackson was doing this for everybody.

I was at Becca’s one night on her day off, watching Ava while Mari went on to a work dinner. Gray was working like he did a lot right now.

“He’s gone a lot. I support his career and love him. I do. I