29

Spencer Cypress

A few days had passed. And I had an idea.

The job hunt wasn't going well. I had decided to stay in Apple Valley for the indefinite time. It just seems that this place is better suited for the calm life I now want after having a hectic past months.

It wasn't until I was busy reworking Graham's schedule that the idea came to me: Why don't we work together?

In the past, Graham has talked about wanting to expand his business, but he simply didn't have the "knowledge" for it.

Friday night came around. Graham was called by some of his friends to come to the bar, with me tagging along.

I was hesitant to go. I remembered what one of Graham's friends, Harry, said to me on the Fourth of July. And I ended up telling Graham about that entire interaction.

"Don't worry, Spencer." He assured me. "Stick by me and I'll keep you safe."

I would always trust Graham. So, that night, I stuck close to him. I was able to talk to a few of his friends and had forgotten how nice many of them were.

Everything was going well, until someone decided to bring up my sexuality. And that person was none other than Harry Fraxinus.

"Spencer!" He shouted from across the pool table. "I heard that you had a particular taste in partners, right?"

"Knock it off, Harry." Graham said.

"I'm just saying. It's not every day that a gay man comes to Apple Valley." He said, with emphasis on the 'gay man' part. Everyone had definitely heard in the vicinity.

"What is it to you?" I replied.

Harry smiled. "Do you have a crush on any of us? Freddie? Mykolas? Me, perhaps?"

"I have standards." I said. "And you certainly don't fit them."

"I feel hurt." Harry said.

"Knock it off, Harry." Sandra Sycamore said from behind the bar.

"Yeah! Why do you care about who he likes?" Carola Laurel replied.

"What? I'm not allowed to ask someone a question?" Harry said.

"It's none of your business. Leave him alone." Graham said.

Harry's eyes fixated themselves between Graham and me. It was like a bulb went off in his head and his grin turned even wider.

"Wait. Don't tell me. Graham, are you dating Spencer?"

There was a brief pause in the air. While Graham has happily been affectionate with me around his family and even at that restaurant, we haven't really discussed him coming out to other people.

Whenever I asked, Graham would always say that there would be a time for that.

And without missing a beat, Graham grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close.

"Yeah, I am." Graham announced.

It was quiet until the people around us began to congratulate us. I had to hide my face because I was turning red.

"Wow! And how long have you two been going out?" Carola asked.

"Uh, about two months." I replied.

"I always knew that there was something going on between you." Esther Myrtle said to me.

I turned and saw Graham being congratulated by Freddie. He gave me a shrug. I rolled my eyes but was still happy.

When things quieted down, we ordered a round of drinks for everyone. The only one not happy that night was Harry, who slumped in the corner of the room.

Graham and I weren't tipsy when we went home. In fact, we were sober as ever. I knew this could be my opportunity to say something about that job offer.

"Can you pull over?" I asked.

"Do you have to throw up?" He asked.

"No." I said. He pulled over on the side of the road. I got out and felt the crisp air send chills down my back.

Graham got out and walked to my side.

"Tonight was unexpected." He said. "I didn't expect to just come out like that to everyone."

"It was brave." I said. I then looked up at the night sky. "Do you remember that time when you first told me to look at the stars?" I asked.

"No." Graham replied, also looking up.

"It was the first night you took me to the bar. You were really drunk and made me look at the stars." I explained. "That was the first time we kissed, unofficially of course."

"Dammit! How could I forget something like that?" He said.

"The thing about memories is you can always make new ones." I told him.

He didn't waste a moment before leaning in to kiss me. I hugged his neck while feeling our lips clash together.

"I will make a million memories together with you." Graham said.

Now was the time.

"Graham. I think I found a job I want." I said, His face dropped a bit, but he kept his smile.

"Whatever you choose, I'll support it."

"That's the thing." I grabbed his hand and made us lean on the side of his car. "The job I want doesn't exist. At least, not yet."

He looked at me with confusion.

"I was wondering if you'd make me your assistant. Or at least someone that can handle the managerial duties. You have a lot of ideas but need someone to organize them. Well, I can do that for you. And since I pretty much know everything about you, you can trust me to make decisions for you."

I rambled on and looked down at the gravel road.

"I want to work for and with you, Graham. I know I can do my best. But if you don't think so, that's fine too." I said.

"Spencer." He said. I looked up and saw his eyes glossy. "I would love nothing more than for us to work together."

As if light waves passed through us, my joy became elated, and I jumped into his arms.

"You won't ever regret hiring me, Graham!" I said.

"I have never regretted anything when I'm with you, Spencer." He said, hugging me tightly

"I'm willing to invest a bit of the money I have into the business. I want the both of us to succeed in this venture."

"I won't stop you, Spencer." He said. He cupped my face in his hands. "Now, what title would we give you?" He asked.

"I was thinking about Senior Manager Spencer Cypress." I said.

"Sounds perfect to me." He said. "And as your first task, you have to give me 10 kisses before the night is over."

I leaned up and gave him nine kisses on his face.

"Let's save the last one for home." I winked.

"I guess we already have our first problem." Graham said.

"Which is?" I asked.

"I'm gonna have trouble keeping my hands off you during work. Will I even be able to concentrate?" He asked.

"We aren't sex-crazed demons, Graham. We're adults who have jobs. I'm sure you can manage." I said. I got into the car, making sure to show him my bottom.

"You are definitely not going to make this job easy for me, Senior Manager Spencer Cypress." He said. He got into the car and turned it on.

"Come on. Holly and Juniper are waiting for us." I spoke.

"By the way, should we come up with a new name for the company? I think Birch Groceries doesn't have a good ring to it."

"We'll think of something." I said.

Graham drove the rest of the way home. I looked away from the window to stare at the man right next to me.

I no longer had to wonder when happiness would finally come to me. I already have it.