Banking on Him

Chapter 36 - Serena

Going to work today was not on my list of things I wanted to do, but I had some revisions to do after last nights board meeting, and I figured if I showed my face early enough, I could duck out early without anyone really noticing.  

To my surprise, Erica was waiting with coffee when I walked into my office.  

She looked up from the stack of papers she had been reading, "I'm surprised to see you today.  I thought for sure you'd call me to make up an excuse."

I laughed, "Hey... isn't that usually my line?"

"Touche.  Well, since I didn't think you'd be in, I thought I would confiscate your office to work on our new project."  She winked inconspicuously.  

"It wouldn't exactly look good if I didn't show up.  Plus I had some changes to make to the proposal I got passed last night.  I figured if I got here early, made the changes, and got the updated packets sent out, I could leave early without anyone saying anything."  

I sat down in my chair and turned on my computer before turning back to face Erica, "Also, I figured I could work on my resignation letter if I had some time."

She had been staring back down at her papers, but she looked back up at me, shocked at my declaration.  "But I didn't think you'd do that right away.  I mean, no offense S, but you aren't exactly a big risk taker.  We don't even have a solid plan in place yet," she exclaimed.

I turned to log in to my computer, "No, but I have enough saved to live off of for a while.  Plus after last night, I'm just done.  I want to be with Reese, I don't want to hide it.  And quite frankly, I want to be my own fucking boss.  Also, Reese asked me to move in with him, so that should save some money."

"Um... What!?" Erica shrieked like she actually hadn't heard me.  "You're going to move in with him?  Wait, what the fuck happened last night?  When you left here, you were still furious."

I laughed, "Yeah, but you made a good point.  And so I went for a run to clear my head, but before I knew it... well, I was knocking on Reese's door and then we were kissing... and I'm sure you can guess where that led.  And somewhere between then and now, we professed our love for each other and he kind of asked me to move in."

Erica finally abandoned the papers she was looking at and moved to sit across from me, in front of my desk, "Woah, wait a minute.  You said you loved him?  The queen of avoidance.  Miss 'we are just going to be friends'?  Y'all went from zero to sixty in two seconds flat.  Also, what do you mean he 'kind of' asked you to move in?"

"I mean, what he did last night was kind of romantic.  Stupid, but romantic.  And he doesn't even know that I'm planning on leaving."

She gave me a told you so look, but didn't comment. "Okay and what about the moving in part?"

"Oh yeah... well, that was kind of crazy.  I don't know I was just saying how as long as I could come home to him, I'd figure out how to deal with work and then he just threw it out there.  And I said I'd think about it, but I already think I'm going to say yes."

She gave me a pointed look, "If you don't say yes, I'm going to punch you in the face.  He's clearly crazy about you.  And besides, soon you won't have the excuse of work getting in the way.  So I think it's time to decide... Are you in or are you out, S?"

Part of me knew that I should think about it.  Erica was right.  And really, Reese and I hadn't known each other that long.  Moving in together was a big step.  A step I'd never taken before, but the minute he asked me it felt so right.  Maybe it was fast, but that didn't mean it wasn't also a great thing.  

I nodding, knowing she was right.  "Let's get to work.  The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get out of here."