“I’m sure they do. In fact, I know they do, but until or unless she does something that is worthy of removing her, and we have concrete proof, she has to remain where she is.”
“I hate her, Eli. You know how I feel about that word. I’ve only used it one other time with one other person, but I hate her.”
“She is difficult. I will give you that. What can I do to help you right now? I don’t like to see you this wound up and hurting.”
“I know we talked about doing a mini staycation and locking ourselves in the apartment, but can we work instead? I want the updates and the event notes perfect for the follow-up meeting next Friday.”
“Perfection isn’t necessary, Dylan. You know that. All my father, everyone else, and I expect is your best. That is near perfection anyway.”
“Please, Eli? You said what can you do, and this is it. I’m still so new. I would never have this chance to show what I can do at my age and experience if I wasn’t here.”
“By here, you mean married to the boss.”
“Eww. Don’t say it like that. I can do this, especially this project. I feel like I was born to lead this project. Elyse just needs to understand that and back off. She doesn’t run the show. I do. That’s what’s pissing her off. She doesn’t like me. That’s fine. The feeling is definitely mutual. I will figure out why someday, just not now. The stakes with this for me, you, and Colton are too high. I refuse to let you down.”
“There’s my girl. I just needed to see that you were in it for the right reasons. We can stay and play at night and work during the day. It will feel like the rest of the week for us. Just know, I lack for nothing with you. Okay?”
“Do you have any idea how much I love you, Eli?”
“I think I might have a clue. The circle is coming back around. We started as a student and teacher. Look where we are now.” He smirks.
“So, you’ll be wanting me in a school uniform while we work?”
“I prefer the adult version. I’ll take the short black skirt, high heels, and a low-cut silk top.”
“I think I can accommodate that request, Goose.”
“Then we have to come into the office. I can assure you zero work will happen if you’re wearing that and we work from home.”
Elijah
I’ve never seen my wife so energized by a perceived defeat. While working on a weekend like this is far from something I really want to do, I know she needs it. I think back to the beginning of our time together. She and I would spend hours in a mentor/mentee conversation. She’s always been such a good student. She’s so eager to learn. That will serve her well in this project.
Today, she was up with the sun and doing a light workout at home before she showered and dressed in the outfit I asked for. I was coming to breakfast, when I rounded the corner into the kitchen and everything on me rose to attention. “I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”
“If we’re going to work all day, don’t you think we should have a little fun too?”
“You might get more than a little fun wearing that. God, you’re incredibly sexy.”
“Tell me that when I have my hair twisted against my head with a pencil and my shoes off under the table.”
“Keep them on. Always keep them on.”
She smiles before zipping our lunch container closed. “I packed extra. Just in case.”
Why do I think this day will end up in a way different place than it’s starting?
We opt to drive downtown today since we don’t know what our hours will be. Dylan lays with her head against the window and her eyes close. If you didn’t know her, you’d think she was tired. While I’m sure that’s true, I also know, more often than not, she will hear a random piece of music in the car and begin choreographing a piece in her head. Where musicians see in notes, Dylan sees in moves. The movement helps her feel. She’s taught me that as well.
We pull into our underground parking, taking all of our bags with us. You’d think it was a hotel stay with the food, her dance bag, our laptop cases, and various hard files we needed to bring in. I know she has an agenda today. I want her to lead so she feels the best she can after our overtime session.
I think about setting us up in my office, then I remember the cleaning crew has marked us off in that wing for deep cleaning overnight. The main boardroom is the best place for us. There are hookups for everything we need and video conferencing.
We tango around each other here, just like we do at home. There are certain things she sets up, same for me. I know she likes her water and snacks within reach, so I offer her that here too. Dylan and I start our late morning in near silence. I want her to be able to process at her pace then come to me when she’s ready.
Eventually, she kicks off the shoes and tucks her legs underneath her. The pencil goes in her mouth, and she begins to gnaw on the end. “Viper? Are you hungry?”
“No. Why?”
“I think the pencil would disagree with you.”
“What? Oh.” She giggles. “I mean I could eat; I suppose.”
I rest my glasses on the table before I push my chair back. “Let me guess. Mini charcuterie boards and fruit?”
“Am I that predictable?”
“Absolutely not. I just know when you’re stressed you eat smaller frequent meals.”
“You noticed that?”
“I notice everything. I know you get a sick feeling in your stomach so that helps you.”
“I never told you that though.”
“You didn’t have to. I simply needed to watch.”
Dylan pushes her chair back to stand up. She first rolls out her neck then slowly stretches her calves. “It’s weird being here without the noise from the staff. It’s nearly creepy.”
“I like it. I like the freedom it gives. I don’t have to be buttoned up like I do during the week. I’ll sometimes play music or do a push-up break. That and the beautiful silence is what I need.”
“We’re so different. I thrive in chaos. Sometimes the silence is scary.”
“Are you ready to start discussing ALITE?”
“I know what I’m supposed to do and say. I know what the vision is. It’s just she makes me so mad. When I get mad, I get flustered, when I get flustered I do stupid things like go off on her.”
“Dylan, I don’t think challenging her is stupid. I do think she’s farther under your skin than you intended, which makes you say things you might not otherwise.”
“I do think there’s something there, Eli. She may not be interested in you, but I swear there is something.”
“Okay, enough about her. Let’s refocus on the work. Have I told you lately how fucking proud I am of you? Seriously, anyone with this much on their plate at once should be curled up in the corner sipping on Fireball. You seem to thrive the more things you have. I admire that so much.”
“It helps I have a creative outlet, even though the creative side is part of the work. Making sure I have the rehearsal time I need is my saving grace.”