Connected To Him (ManxMan)

Part 2: Chapter 56

Chapter 56: The Getaway

"I have an idea."

Ethan looked over at Aiden from the other side of the table, brows raised as he peered at him over his coffee cup. Aiden had a jittery smile on his face, leaning forward in the way he did whenever he had a bright new idea.

It was refreshing going out with him like this. For the past several months, Ethan often used lunch breaks to meet up with Chris. Not being able to call on him reminded him that Aiden used to be his go-to break buddy. Ethan imagined that in the unlikely circumstance where he and Chris got back together, he would be more intentional about spending time with his best friend.

They were having lunch at a small coffee shop, catching up with each other and enjoying some good old-fashioned small talk. In the middle of the conversation, as Ethan spoke about his boss's reaction to him leaving the company, Aiden exclaimed 'oh' suddenly, something coming to mind. Ethan wasn't even upset about being interrupted, now curious about what Aiden found so important to tell him.

"I was talking to Aaron about our Deerhurst trip last night," Aiden explained. "We were joking about how he was trying to convince me to give him a shot while you and Meaghan were trying to help me seduce him."

Ethan laughed when he thought about that trip. Based on what he now knew about Aaron and Scarlett's relationship, there wasn't a problem with Aiden pursuing him. But back then, Ethan wondered why he was so excited about breaking up a couple. He really should not have been encouraging Aiden to steal him. Miraculously, it all worked out and it was one of Ethan's most memorable trips. Especially when he thought of how it changed the way he viewed Chris.

"So, just for fun, we decided to look into the room prices for Deerhurst and they're really competitive," Aiden told him. He quickly pulled out his phone, reaching his arm over to show Ethan some of the prices for the next two weeks.

Ethan was surprised to see such low numbers. When they'd gone the first time, Ethan didn't have to pay a dime but he remembered how luxurious it felt to stay at a resort with so many amenities and activities. But for such a good price too?

"We should all go this month," Aiden announced. When Ethan stared at him blankly for a moment, he added "To Deerhurst."

"That sounds great, Aiden, but we're going to visit Clark's parents in a week."

"Then we can push it to the end of the month," Aiden decided easily with a curt nod.

"But I'm already taking time off of work for one trip," Ethan argued, laughing incredulously at the thought. "Two would be-"

"But I thought you were quitting?"

Ethan's almost surprised to hear Aiden say that before remembering that he did have plans to leave the company. It was his own plan yet going through his day-to-day life, he'd forgotten about what that meant. Depending on when he left, he would never have to worry about time off requests or how his absences appeared to a boss. He would be his own boss. That would be his choice.

"Just time your 2 weeks notice so you're not working there anymore when the trip comes," Aiden suggested, saying the idea that just came to Ethan's mind.

However, the more he thought about, the more Ethan thought it was a bad idea. While he planned on quitting, he thought he would do so after planning his next moves more carefully. Quitting now would be irrational and irresponsible.  But it was exciting to think that in a month's time, Ethan would really be free.