Don't Be Late by J.M. Snyder

Author:J.M. Snyder [Snyder, J.M.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2012-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

The Mendenhall presentation runs late—the client’s a hard sell, just as Jeremy knew he’d be. Because of that, he’s a half hour late to the sales luncheon, and doesn’t get back to the office until well after two. “Staff meeting,” he calls out as he walks in. Passing Jane’s desk, he tells her, “Put the phones on the service. We have to get to work on the next quarter.”

She hands him a slip of paper. “Your better half called,” she says. “Tell him I talked to Joe, Monday’s fine.”

“For what?” Without stopping, Jeremy glances at the paper in his hands on the way to his office. Caller: Blake, it reads. Message: I love you. Don’t forget the theater.

His heart melts at the words. A quick glance at his watch says he can maybe take a few minutes and call Blake. I love you. What Jeremy wouldn’t give to hear the message in his lover’s voice.

In his office now, he reaches for the phone and calls out, “When did he call?”

“Before lunch.” Jane’s followed him, a notepad in one hand, cup of coffee in the other. “You going to give him a call?”

“Real quick,” Jeremy promises.

With a nod, she returns to her desk and picks up her phone to use the intercom. Her voice booms throughout the building. “Staff meeting, conference room.”

Jeremy hears a few groans drift from the cubicles. He grins as he dials the number for Blake’s office.

Over the intercom, Jane laughs. “Come on, guys. It won’t be that bad.”

As the phone rings in Jeremy’s ear, he closes the door to his office. Tossing his portfolio onto his desk, he takes off Blake’s blazer and unbuttons the collar of his shirt. Then he plops into his chair and sighs as it creaks beneath his weight. In his mind, he already hears his husband’s deep voice and throaty laugh.

Four rings later, he gets the voicemail. He listens to the message just to hear Blake’s voice, then at the beep he hangs up and dials again. Same message.

This time he sighs. “I love you,” he says as he picks at the edge of his leather portfolio, which is starting to wear thin. “I just got your message and I’ll be in a meeting for the rest of the day, but I wanted to touch base. Okay, bye.”

After he hands up, he remembers the dinner theater and calls Blake a third time. “Six o’clock. The Magnolia, I remember. I’ll leave no later than five, I promise. Five fifteen at the latest. Love you. Bye.”

Then he remembers Jane said to tell Blake Monday, and he still isn’t sure what for, but he’s dialing a fourth time when she beeps into his office. “Your five minutes are up,” she says. “We’re waiting.”

“Be right there.” He wishes Blake had answered at least one of the times he called. Knowing his luck, his lover would’ve picked up the fourth time.

Of course.

* * * *

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