Tim & Chuck

CH. 14:: Tim's Bromance

Alex had mischief written all over his face and if it were socially acceptable (and by that, he meant not an action that warranted arrest), Tim would've felt the overwhelming urge to throw the remains of his salad at his friend's face.

"So...Carly."

"Mmm yes, you mean your future wife. Go on."

Tim glowered across the table at Alex who was trying his best to maintain a dignified expression. The only problem was that he was failing miserably.

Alex was about as busy with work as Tim was, but the two friends often had lunch together to catch up. Despite all of their teasing and jabbing at each other, Alex and Tim valued each other's opinions and company, though neither would openly admit that.

In addition to this, Alex was also one of the few people surrounding Tim outside of his immediate family who knew of his business identity, and Tim liked it that way.

Alex had just returned from Switzerland on a two-week venture prior to Tim's sick week and this was the first time they had both been able to sit down to catch up. While Tim wanted to hear all about it, he wanted to shake the tree on how Alex felt about Tim's red-haired neighbor.

"Anyway, Carly. I rudely interrupted, please continue." Alex grinned before taking a bite of his extra cheesy cheeseburger. Evidently wedding bells were already tolling in his mind.

Tim rolled his eyes as he took a bite of his own lunch, his usual Cobb salad. "I can't believe you want to eat something as messy as that in the middle of the day." Tim still had nightmares about that one unbelievably bad day which occurred only a month prior (wow, time had really flown). He had yet to completely remove the coffee stains from his white shirt.

"Well I thought about it and decided that I don't care. Also, changing the subject is a rookie move. You were just telling me about how you were planning on proposing to Carly." Alex said, not even batting an eyelash.

"I'm not trying to change the subject, I'm just trying to look out for you and the wellbeing of your wardrobe choice." Tim shot back but before Alex could say something snarky, he continued. "Well, she's becoming a very good friend but it feels like we have been hanging out a lot recently, and she's really enjoyable to spend time with. Not to mention her baking skills are unrivaled." Tim sighed as he thought about the gooey chocolate swirl he was probably going to stop by and get from Carly's bakery later that evening.

"Dude, she can give you free sweets AND you enjoy her company? Ring. Venue. Honeymoon. I know a REALLY GREAT wedding planner. " Alex grinned devilishly and Tim felt his face grow very hot very quickly, but he instantly tried to play it off.

"Dude, no. Absolutely not, you have terrible taste."

"In what??"

"Literally everything." Tim grinned.

Alex's jaw dropped in mock disgust but before he could retort, Tim added quickly, "Except in women. Jen is amazing."

Alex smiled dreamily. "Heck yeah she is. October cannot come fast enough because I'm ready to have her all to myself. But ok, so you've been hanging out a lot. Do you like her?"

Tim rolled his eyes. "I mean yeah she is nice and beautiful and smart and all but she's just a friend."

"Ha! Ten bucks says you're in denial."

"And a hundred bucks says that if you don't shut up, I will throw the onions from my salad at your annoying face."

"Well, you know what they say, 'Neighbors to lovers...' or something like that. You know, it's not a very good saying. But 'a friend'? You said you were only 'neighbors' like two seconds ago. So like, we are thinking a spring wedding or...?"