“You’re really changing, Brock. I don’t know if I like it. It’s just weird. Next thing you’ll be telling me that you’ve been to see your mother. Like face to face seen her rather than talked on the phone.”
“Hmm, yeah, it has been a while. Maybe I should go and see her actually, catch up . . .”
“Well, I’m glad. I know she’ll love it. But that just proves it. Work isn’t at the forefront of your mind anymore.”
“It’s still important. You aren’t trying to say that I’m doing a shitty job here, are you?”
“No, of course not. Plus, you have me. I’m the best manager of all time.”
“Yeah, well maybe it’s time I start expanding my horizons a bit, don’t you think? Try something new.”
Josh is silent for a while. He has a thoughtful look on his face as the neon lights flicker across his skin. I wonder what’s going on inside his mind, but I’m too afraid to ask. I don’t want him to tell me something I might not like.
“You know, I’m sorry for what I said to Jodi. That was a dick move on my behalf.”
“It isn’t really me you need to apologize to, but next time, talk to me. I’d rather hear it myself.”
“Yeah, I know.” He hangs his head low. “I won’t do it again. I was just trying to protect you.”
“Well, there might be millions of things I need protection from, but Jodi isn’t one of them.”
Somehow, he still manages to not look quite convinced. “I hope you’re right about that one.”
“I’m not arguing with you about it anymore. I have to get back upstairs. I have lots of work to do.”
“Oh yeah, Jodi awaits. I suppose you can’t leave her waiting too long.”
I pat him on the arm and smirk. “That’s right, and I’m going to ask her to see my mother with me.”
“Your mom? You’re introducing her to your mom? There’s no way you’re that serious about her.”
“I am, actually. I really am. This is the right thing to do to take us forward.”
Josh yells after me as I walk off, but I simply flick my hand in the air to silence him. He can think I don’t know what I’m doing all he likes, but I’m certain. It’s been nearly three weeks since we first had sex, and I know enough to keep plowing forward. It’s something we haven’t discussed but I’m sure we both want.
“Hey,” I say smilingly as I hang around the door to my office. “What are your plans for tonight?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think I have any particular plans, why?”
I understand the confusion on her face. We don’t usually do anything date-like. It’s usually more of a fumble in the office, so this is going to be a giant leap forward, but I’m sure it’ll be awesome.
“Did you want to come to meet my mother with me tonight?”
“What?” she screeches, shocked. “Are you serious? Meet your mother? That’s insane.”
I wrap one arm around her waist and pull her in for a gentle kiss, no longer bothering to try to hide us. As far as I’m aware, everyone else knows about us anyway. No one can complain since I’m the damn boss.
“I know, but she’ll love you, and I think it’s the next step for us, isn’t it?”
“I actually think the next step would be taking me out on a normal date if we want to be a couple.”
“But nothing between us is normal, is it?” I laugh, and she joins in. “It’ll be fun. Mom’s going to adore you.”
“Fun?” She drawls out the word carefully. “Are you sure about that?”
“I am. Honestly. I’ll tell Mom it isn’t anything for her to get too excited about.”
“So she won’t start asking me when we’re going to get married and start popping out babies?”