This post is part of Writer’s Digest February Flash Fiction Challenge. Flash Fiction is a short, often under 1,000 words, style of writing. I hope you enjoy my 28 contributions!
Day 5 Prompt: Couples
Eric stood behind Jeff, focusing on the reflection of his hands in the mirror. After a few more flicks of the wrist, a beautifully constructed Windsor knot adorned Jeff’s neck. “Thank you,” Jeff said playfully. He turned around and gave Eric a kiss. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous, I’ve known these people for almost six months…”
“Don’t worry about it! It will be a fun night and it’ll be nice to finally meet everyone you talk about so much.” Eric sat on the edge of the bed and slipped his feet into his new suede boots.
“I know, I know. You’re right.”
“As usual,” Eric joked. “You about ready? The party starts in fifteen minutes and we’ve got at least a half hour drive.”
“Yup!” Jeff said, grabbing his appropriately festive red velvet sports coat.
On the drive to the city, Jeff fought to quell his growing uneasiness. Eric, sensing that Jeff was getting antsy, reached across the seat and grabbed his hand. Jeff took a deep breath and muttered “sorry.”
About six months ago, Jeff was offered his dream job at a high-power finance firm in the city. The salary was almost double what he had been making previously and the benefits were second to none. He’d gotten off to a fast start, leading his department twice since he started. Jeff thrived in the fast-paced environment and became chummy with his colleagues. There had never been any incidences or issues at work, but the financial world had a reputation of being fratty and the way some of his co-workers acted made Jeff a little uncomfortable sometimes. In a world dominated by manly men in their blue and black suits, Jeff was a flamboyant ray of sunshine that wore his heart on his sleeve.
They pulled up to the hotel, which was ornately decorated with oversized metallic ornaments hanging on frocked fir trees. A valet ran up to their car as Eric and Jeff got out and put their coats back on. Eric thought it would be funny to wear complimentary outfits, which is why Jeff’s red velvet coat looked identical to Eric’s green velvet coat. Eric took inventory of Jeff, fixing his tie, which had loosened slightly on the drive over. “Ok, ok, stop that,” Jeff said under his breath. He glanced around to see if anyone noticed this small, but obvious display.
“You look great,” Eric said with a reassuring smile. “Ready to head inside?”
Jeff took a long, deep breath and said, “yeah, let’s get in there.”
They started walking towards the doors when a deep voice called out from behind them, “Jeffy, that you buddy?”
Jeff swung around to see Dave marching up the driveway with a beautiful woman Jeff assumed was his wife. “Dave! Hey man, how are ya?”
“Man?” Eric whispered out of earshot of the approaching couple. He laughed, causing Jeff to whack him playfully on his arm.
“Jeff, meet Angela. Angela, this is Jeff, the guy I’m always talking about at home.”
“It is so nice to meet you!” She leaned in for a hug. Her hand lingered on Jeff’s sleeve for a second “Oh my gosh, I love your coat!”
“Thank you!” Jeff said with enthusiastically. He turned to Eric, who stood there silently with a warm smile. “Dave, Angela,” he paused for a second, “meet my boyfriend, Eric.”
Angela immediately leaned in for a hug, complimenting Eric’s coat as well. Dave stuck his hand out with a big smile, saying how nice it was to meet Jeff’s better half. Jeff, who seemed to be nervously holding his breath, exhaled with a laugh. Angela, who was shivering under her shawl, said, “Let’s get in there. I could use a cocktail.”
The four of them walked into the hotel together, pausing from time to time to say hi to other colleagues and their significant others. Angela, who had been chatting with Eric while Jeff and Dave had light conversations with their co-workers, made a game of how many people would compliment Eric and Jeff’s coats. “Ok, every time someone compliments one of your coats, we take one sip. If they compliment both of your coats, we take one big gulp.”
As the night wore one, Jeff began to loosen up a bit. Eric could see how he might have been the odd man out in some situations, but Jeff shined bright, and Eric couldn’t be more proud. Towards the end of the party, Angela pointed out that they hadn’t taken a photo in the photo booth yet. She yanked Dave and half-ran to get in line. Eric started to follow, but noticed that Jeff stayed put.
“Jeff, come on! Let’s get a picture together.”
Jeff stayed still, shaking his head and laughing dismissively, “I don’t know…”
Eric walked up to Jeff and reached for his hand, “Come on, just one picture.” He gave Jeff puppy dog eyes and said, “pleeease.”
Jeff pulled his hand away, again scanning the surrounding area to see who was watching them. “Ok! Yes, let’s go take a picture.” He started walking, leaving Eric where he was standing, smiling and waving at his colleagues that he passed on the way to the photo booth.
They stood next to each other, a couple awkward inches separating them, as the camera flashed. After a few frames, the photographer mercifully lowered his camera and said, “Ok, umm, I think we got the shot.”
“Great, thanks.” Jeff said. He turned to Eric with a forced smile, “You ready to head out?”
Eric smiled gently, “Sure, let’s get our of here.” He didn’t reach for Jeff’s hand and was careful to avoid touching him in any way that would make Jeff more uncomfortable in front of his co-workers.
On their way out, they saw Angela waiting in the hallway next to the bathrooms. She walked over to them with her arms wide open. “It was so nice to meet you guys!” She had clearly had her fair share of cocktails and was gushing again about their velvet coats. “Oh, and Jeff…” She reached for his hands, and held them in hers, “thank you for always helping Dave out around the office. He really looks up to you. I know it sounds silly, but he is always talking about what an amazing guy you are.” She gave him a long hug before pulling Eric in, leaving the three of them standing in the hallway with their arms wrapped around each other.
“Well, I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Dave joked.
“There you are, honey! Let’s get out of here, I’m exhausted,” Angela slurred.
“See you next week, Dave,” Jeff said, putting his hand out. Dave pushed his hand out of the way and gave him a hug. He gave Eric a hug next, then him and Angela wandered away.
“Shall we?” Eric asked with a heartwarming smile.
With Angela’s words still fresh in his mind, Jeff grabbed Eric’s hand, gave him a kiss and said, “sure, let’s get out of here.”
The two of them walked out of the hotel, hand in hand, past Jeff’s remaining colleagues and their dates, into the cool night air.
