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maggie

T oday’s the day. Even though I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time, I never actually thought the day would come.

Thoughts have plagued me for a while now of what I’d wear and planning out exactly what I’ll say.

I swallow hard, forcing all the nervous thoughts down.

Because at the end of it all, one thought always remains at the forefront of my mind.

Fuck it.

“Hey Maggie,” Mike says as I walk in, plopping down in the chair across from his desk. “What’s up?”

“Hey. I’m sorry to do this, but I’m turning in my notice.

I would say two weeks, and I’m happy to do that, but I’m starting my own company, so I know that makes me direct competition now, and I’m sure you’d rather me leave today,” I spit out the words in one breath, trying to smother my gasp for air afterward.

His mouth gapes open. “Wow, Happy Friday to you too. What took you so long? Were you planning out that speech?”

I can’t help but laugh. Mike is a really good guy, and I’ve enjoyed working with him all these years. He’s been a great mentor and boss, but he’s always known I’ve been eager to spread my wings and fly off like the fucking seagulls do in the winter.

“Maybe a little. Honestly, I kind of pictured it more like me getting asked to leave because I told Bill off, and I had that speech planned out. Resigning like this is as much of a surprise to me as it is to you.”

“I can’t say you’re alone in wanting to stick it to Bill.

” He chuckles, tapping my letter on his desk.

“I’m sad to see you go, but congrats, Maggie.

I know you’ve wanted to branch out on your own for a long time.

I’m happy for you, and I know you’ll kill it.

Which is why, as you mentioned, I do have to ask you pack your desk and leave.

” He smiles as he extends his hand across the desk to shake mine.

“I figured as much. It’s been great working with you, Mike. I’ll pack up my desk and be out soon. Seriously, thanks for everything, all your mentorship and trust in my campaigns. Maybe we’ll find a time to work together in the future.”

“I’d like that,” he says as I stand to head out of his office.

Walking through the cubicle farm back to my desk, I think back on the last ten years here.

No more Chest Bush and his ridiculous requests, like when he would walk right past the copy machine to ask me to make him one copy of one piece of paper.

How hard is it to push a fucking green button?

No more Emo Guy bringing in bagels in the morning or bolting to the kitchen when he arrives to snag the blueberry one.

I grip the hem of my blouse, realizing this also means no more guaranteed paycheck or benefits either.

But I use the techniques Vladi uses, taking deep breaths, counting five things I can see, finding four things I can touch…

it’s become our new favorite game. For some crazy reason, finding four things on my body to touch and one to taste always calms him down.

Who knew therapy would be so useful in the bedroom?

The last few months, we’ve started to figure things out and life has been nothing short of amazing.

We’ve been swapping back and forth between our places when he’s home, and we’ve talked about me moving into his house when my lease is up.

He still gives me endless shit for my coffee order, but dammit if he doesn’t stop and grab me one every time he passes by on his way home from practice.

That man is the biggest grump on the outside but seeing his overflowing heart on display day in and day out is like the sunrise coming up over the lake.

Sometimes his pain rears its ugly head, but now we deal with it together.

Even when his darkness hits, the goodness inside him is always lingering, ready to light up the morning sky.

And fuck if this man doesn’t light up my sky.

The season is in full swing now, which means he’s on the road a lot .

I initially thought I’d be sad with him being gone all the time.

But honestly? It works great for us. When he’s traveling, I have more time to pour into all my side gigs, which will now be my full-time gigs, and it gives him time to focus on his games.

I’ve already been working on multiple campaigns for Shelly and her new company, Luca Bellezza.

We wanted to create a brand that implied youth and beauty, so we went Italian.

It did really well with focus groups, so we ran with it.

And the brewery Bougie invested in is doing unbelievably well, because…

of course it is. I swear that kid swings and never misses.

He gets a lot of flack from his teammates, but I see right through him.

Just like I did with Vladi. Jordan Boucher has a heart of gold, and no one can convince me otherwise.

I owe him a lot for the opportunities he’s brought me, not to mention the pushing and prodding he did to get Vladi and I together.

Luckily, Vladi and I have found ways to make the physical distance work between us too.

Liv, and her inability to keep secrets, mentioned a bluetooth toy Hayes got her, and I’m pretty sure every one of the WAGs has purchased one since that brunch admission.

What I wouldn’t give to see a seismometer of Milwaukee after away games with the number of vibrators simultaneously shaking the earth’s crust.

I’ve realized we’re one of those couples who loves to be together, but also need some time to ourselves.

Kind of like puzzle pieces clicking together but still holding their own shapes.

But, at the end of the day, there’s nothing I love more than having him here.

The second he gets home, and immediately unpacks his suitcase like a psychopath, he refuses to leave the house.

Even when he’s stomping around and grumbling about how the human population has become too loud, it makes me smile.

And my God, he is such a hermit. I drag his ass out and make him buy me a nice dinner every once in a while so he can see the light of day.

He acts like he hates it, but I see the way his face lights up when he introduces me to someone.

It makes Melissa do her Simone Biles routine behind my rib cage every time.

Even more surprising? He’s made me more of a homebody.

Curling up on the couch with my big broody goalie, his glass of vodka and my glass of wine, as we read books side by side, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing my shoulder, has become my favorite date night.

I never used to understand the whole opposites attract thing.

But now that I’m literally living it? I can’t picture anything else.

Approaching my desk, I look at my best friend and my heart soars. Our friendship is something rare—always seeing and appreciating one another for who we truly are. Her finding Hayes was the beginning of me finding Vladi. I can’t stand the thought of being away from her every day.

“Wow, that was quick, Mags! How was Mike?” Liv asks, leaning across our shared cubicle space.

“He was cool as shit about it, as I figured he would be, but I do have to pack up my desk and go.”

She gives me a knowing look as I start packing things from my desk in a box.

“How crazy is this? Who would have ever thought a couple years ago we would be here. Both with NHL players who happen to be best friends. I’m so happy you found Vladi.

He’s needed someone in his life to push past the mask of strength he wears, and so did you.

When I met Hayes, I never in a million years would have matched you two up.

But now?” She laughs to herself, twisting her ring around her finger.

“I can’t see it any other way. There is no one else on this earth that could put up with either one of you. ”

I lean over to hug her, my eyes fighting the tears threatening to fall. God, I love my bestie.

We’ve worked here for so long, we know each other’s ins and outs.

Vladi is my guy, but Olivia is my person, and I know she’s not going to want to work forever.

I know they want kids, and she won’t want to work after that.

Not to mention, one of the songs she wrote got picked up as a theme song for a new reality series coming out called You’re The One .

But, for now, our time at Lakeshore has come to an end.

Thankfully that doesn’t mean our little team has to get broken up.

“Alright, my turn,” she says as she heads into Mike’s office with her letter to resign as well. And there’s no one else I’d rather have than my best friend to be the first official employee at Little Fox Branding.