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The two shake hands, and everyone sits down. Suzanne leaves to get coffee and water for everyone.
Val sits down beside me, and I reach over and give her hand a squeeze. She gives me a cool smile in return. Maybe she’s nervous. I cover another yawn. Val looks over at me and then leans in to whisper, “Have you had any sleep?”
I shrug. “Not really, but I’m awake. I wanted to be here for you.”
I see her cool smile turn warm. “Thanks, Chase. But you look tired. If you need to leave, I’ll understand.”
“No, I want to be here. This is important to you. Even if you weren’t my wife, I’d be here for you as a friend.”
I see something flicker in her eyes, then she nods.
“Val, I’d like to talk to you later tonight once we’re alone.”
She nods solemnly. “It will give us a chance to get caught up on everything.”
Serena clears her voice and then looks around the room.
“Is everyone ready to begin the meeting?”
She gets nods all around.
“We sent over the preliminary contract on Monday. I hope you had a chance to look it over.”
Carson and Alex nod.
“Good. Perhaps we could start with any modifications you might have and go from there.”
“We are fine with the majority of the stipulations, however, in section 5 e. We’d like clarification on what would happen if we decided to sever our collaboration going forward.”
“Certainly, Carlucci Software would require written notification at least ninety days in advance.”
As the hour goes by, we leave it up to the attorneys to haggle back and forth, knowing each representative is looking out for our respective companies. I notice Val looks tired as well. She has dark circles under her eyes like she isn’t sleeping well. Maybe she just misses me being in bed with her. I know I’ve been missing her.
Maybe we could leave and just let the attorneys handle this? Damn, I know better. Carson and Val have to be present so they can answer questions, provide clarity, or approve any modifications.
At least Suzanne and the attorneys seem to be keeping up with all the changes being made.
During a brief lull, Carson states, “Let’s take a ten-minute break. We can meet back here at quarter to the hour.”
I try to catch Val’s eye, but she gets up immediately and walks to the door. I frown.
I watch as Val, Serena, and Alex leave the room. Carson and I both stand and stretch our backs.
“Chase, you look beat. When did you get off?”
“Around nine-thirty this morning, so I came straight here.”
“That’s what I thought. Is the new guy going to work out?”
“I think so. I’m looking forward to spending the night in my own bed with my wife.”
“I’m sure she’ll like that.”
“Yeah, she’s been working a lot of hours on this software release. Carson, once this contract is signed and things are running smoothly for Val at Carlucci’s, I’d like to take some time off. I want to take Val on a honeymoon.”
“I think that’s a fine idea, Chase. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
I want to mention the possibility of moving into a new house, but I don’t feel right about mentioning it to my brother when I haven’t told Val about my plans yet. What if she absolutely doesn’t want to leave the duplex? So, I stay silent.
