Finding My Way(Preview)

Seth

I get to work on re-programming the client database to include some new fields that Julia has requested.

***

I am so engrossed in my work that I don't even look at the time or even notice Pete until he taps me on my shoulder.

"Hard at it mate?"

"Oh hey Pete," I turn to face him.

"So, you coming to lunch today?" he asks.

I glance at my watch. "Huh, I had no idea that it was lunch time already. Where we headed today?" I ask as I stand and grab my wallet and phone.

"I was just gonna get a sandwich from the deli. That ok?"

"Sure," I answer as we start walking down the corridor.

After we get our food we take our seats at the café. Pete proceeds to brag about his daughter Grace and how she was in bed singing the new Taylor Swift song instead of going to sleep last night. He really is in love with that four-year-old. I've not met her but he has an adorable picture of her on his desk. I can't help but laugh when he starts singing out of tune that 'we are never ever ever getting back together' and I can imagine how cute his daughter would be, singing about something she doesn't even understand. And I just know that the song will be in my head for the rest of the day now.

"Jazz is thinking maybe we should enrol her in singing lessons. That kid can actually hold a tune! She doesn't get that from me, but Jazz's family is quite musical." He smiles with pride.

Jazz (Jasmine) is Pete's wife. I haven't met her either but again I've seen her photo on Pete's desk and the way that he talks about both Jazz and Grace I feel like I kind of know them both already. I hope that when I reach Pete's age that I'm as happy as he is. Although he is only thirty-one; I'm not sure that I'll be able to get all that he has in the space of only six years.

I don't know many guys my age that are as ready as I am to settle down. But I am, I can't help it. There is nothing I would like more than to get out of the house that I share with Max and Kevin. We've been sharing since we were in university together. They may be happy to spend the next decade living like we currently do, but I'm not. I want to meet the right girl, get married, buy a house of my own, and start a family. I know, I sound like a girl, but it's what I want. I can't wait to have what Pete has.

As I chew on my chicken and salad sandwich I mull over my current situation. Max is getting worse to live with. He's like a drug addict the way he acts about his stupid computer games. He can't drag himself from his dual screens long enough to hold a normal conversation. He lives like a pig, always losing stuff, never cleaning up after himself and don't even get me started on the state of his room. Huh, I sound like my mum!

Max wasn't always like this; we used to actually have fun when we were at uni. He was never a party animal, preferring to study than go out, but he had a wicked sense of humour and was always good for a laugh.