I take a deep breath before scrolling through my contacts and hitting the call button for Clara. It’s just after five, but I’m betting she’s still at the office. Clara answers on the second ring, and I switch to put her on speaker.
“Hey, how was the wedding?” she asks. I can hear the smile in her voice, and it makes me feel like an even bigger asshole. She did something nice for me and I went and broke her trust. Looking over at Oakley, I know it was worth it. That thought helps me push through.
“Um, actually it was canceled.”
“What? Why?”
“The bride was cheating on the groom.”
“Oh. Yep, that will do it,” she says. I manage to laugh through my mounting anxiety.
“Clara, I need that briefing on my desk before you go home tonight,” her boss snaps. I want to reach through the phone and slap him.
“That’s it for tonight?” she asks him.
“Yes, but you can’t leave until it’s done.”
“Cool, then I guess I’m leaving cause it’s already on your desk.”
Oakley laughs next to me, burying her face in my neck to muffle the sound, and I grin.
“You tell him,” I mutter, making Oakley laugh.
“So, you and Oakley didn’t go to the wedding then?” Clara asks.
“Actually, we did. I didn’t realize that it was called off and we drove all the way out there and took the ferry before we found out.”
“Oh, well at least you got a break. You two both work so hard,” she says. I scoff.
“Yeah, this coming from the girl who is still at work every day well after five.”
“Not today! I’m leaving right now,” she argues. I roll my eyes.
“It’s still after five,” I remind her.
“Yeah, but notwellafter five.”
I can hear her moving around and I wait until I hear the elevator ding before I start talking again.
“So, I actually need to tell you something,” I start. Oakley stares up at me, her other-worldly eyes round and full of vulnerability. Nevertheless, she gives me a supportive smile, fighting through her nerves to be strong for me. God, I love her.
“Yeah? What’s up?” Clara asks.
I take a deep breath and then just blurt it out.
“Oakley and I are together.”
Oakley holds her breath while my heart pounds out a staccato rhythm against my ribcage.
We don’t hear anything on the other end of the line.
Silence stretches between the three of us, the unbearable anticipation burning in my gut.
Then she shrieks. We’re talking banshee-level shrill voice.
I look over at Oakley who is giving me the same look I’m sure I have.Shit.
The shrieking turns into giggles, and Oakley raises an eyebrow at me before staring at the phone.