I leaned toward her and whispered, “No menu means no prices.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Looking a little too casual, considering where we were, Jill sipped from her stemmed water glass.
I angled even closer. “Do you know something I don’t? Did you win the lottery?”
“Um, well.” Jill’s lips twisted. “I did get a bit of a raise.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. Actually, I got a big raise. And a promotion.” Grinning like a total goon, my bestie held up her glass. “You’re now looking at the new partner at Schwartz and Eddings, soon to be Schwartz, Eddings and Staton.”
“Congratulations!” I lifted my glass, and we clinked them. “To my bestie and her new position.”
“And to new opportunities for you,” Jill offered.
“Does that mean you have a lead on a new job for me?”
“No. I asked.” Jill’s smile faded. “They’ve already hired my new assistant. Sorry.” She pulled a full pouty frown. “You know I would’ve given you a good word if they hadn’t.”
“No biggie. Like I said, I’ll find something.”
Jack, our tuxedo-shirted waiter hustled over, beamed and introduced himself before giving an Oscar worthy presentation of each menu option. I was tempted to applaud when he was finished.
“Wow,” I said, “that was some performance.”
His beam brightened. “Thank you. Theater major.”
“I would never have guessed.” I looked to Jill, figuring I’d let her order first and then get the same thing.
“I’ll take the beef medallions,” Jill said.
Jack nodded, looked to me.
“I’ll go with the same.”
“Would you like a wine list?” he asked.
“We’ll take a couple of glasses of your house red,” Jill said.
“Very good.”
And off he went.
Jill grinned. “I just ordered a meal without knowing the price, and I don’t care.”
“I’m very happy for you.”
While we ate our meals, Jill jabbered about her new job. I’d never seen her so excited before. Even though my future wasn’t looking nearly as bright as hers, I was genuinely thrilled for her.
At one point, Jill looked at me, guilt dimming the sparkles in her eyes. “I need to shut up. Here I am, going on and on and you’re wondering when you’ll get your next paycheck.”
“Please don’t stop.” I waved my fork at her. “I couldn’t be any happier for you. You have busted your ass for that law firm. You deserve the promotion, and so much more.”
“Did I tell you I’m getting my own assistant?” she asked, bouncing in her seat. “And a real office. With a door and everything.”
“You did.”
“I just can’t believe it. I mean, sure, I’ve been working hard. But to finally have someone recognize all that hard work.” She licked her lips, pushing her empty plate away. “Was that meal insanely delicious or what?”
“It was.” I smiled down at my own plate, which was empty too.
“Can I make a confession?” Jill asked.
“Sure.”
“I’m a little scared. About the job. What if I can’t handle it? What if I fail?”
“You won’t. You’ve never failed at anything.”
“What about the ski trip from hell?” she asked.
“Except for that.”
“I’m still scared.”
“I get that.”
The waiter hurried over, asked if we were interested in the dessert menu, and, when we passed, gave us the bill. Jill sent him off with her credit card.
I was watching him shuffle away when I caught some movement out of the corner my eye. I looked.
Shane.
He wasn’t alone.
Ohmygod.
“Bristol?” Jill tapped my hand. “What’re you staring at?”
I jerked my gaze away and pulled my lips into a smile. “Oh, nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew. But I was wrong.”
Jill swiveled in her chair, following the direction of my gaze before turning back around.
The waiter returned, set the leather folder with Jill’s credit card and receipt in it, thanked us, and within minutes, we were headed for the exit. As I followed Jill, Shane’s words echoed in my head.
I don’t want another submissive. I want…a girlfriend. A lover. A partner.
How long ago had he said that? And did he ever say, for sure, that he wanted those things with me?
But what about, It’s over. There’s no one else.
And, I’m a stubborn ass sometimes, and I’ve learned some of the issues I have run deep.
My belly sank to my toes.
Shit. Exactly what kind of issues are we dealing with?
Maybe I was being a fool, putting all my trust in a man who’d told me he wasn’t trustworthy.
As I buckled myself into Jill’s car, I said, “I’ve changed my mind. I think I will take up Drake on his offer. What could a cup of coffee hurt?”
My best friend looked genuinely pleased. “I don’t think you’ll regret it.” She shifted her car into drive and punched the gas, and we zigged through the parking lot and out onto the street. “And by the way, when you marry him, I will be your maid of honor right?”
Marriage? “Jumping the gun a little, aren’t you?”
Smiling, she shrugged. “Maybe a little. So what’s your answer.”
“Yes. Of course you’ll be my maid of honor. Whomever I marry. Whenever I marry.”
If I marry.
Chapter 5
I was my number one critic, but tonight, even I had to admit I looked good. Having ignored Shane’s phone calls for the next twelve hours--I didn’t trust myself not to say something I’d regret--I was just about finished getting ready for my coffee date with Drake. It turned out he wasn’t hard to track down after all. Jill and I found him on the internet and within minutes I was chatting with him on the phone. Twenty four hours after I’d spotted Shane having dinner with Alexis, I was about to see my ex-boyfriend for the first time in years.
I was really nervous, despite telling myself it was only coffee. It wasn’t like I was going to have sex with him or anything.
I did one final mirror check before scurrying toward the door, expecting him at any moment. As I flew past Jill, she gave me a whistle and exclaimed, “Girl, you’re going to kill him tonight.”