“My taste hasn’t really changed,” Athena said as she circled her index finger on the rim of her water glass. “I guess I have always looked for that in every guy I have dated.” She raised her glass and took a long sip. “Maybe that’s the reason those guys never last long.”
Mackenzie pushed back a strand of her honey blonde hair and tucked it behind her ear.
“Are you even listening to yourself?” she asked and Athena nodded.
“I always listen to myself,” she said rolling her eyes.
“You know what I mean,” Athena said. “I’ve never been one to speak without carefully considering what is coming out of my mouth.”
Mackenzie put her fork down and shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Athena, but I just don’t get it. I mean, Mason Alexander?” she asked as Athena took a bite of her Caesar salad. “And you have kept it a secret for what? Four years?” she asked.
“Actually three,” Athena said. “Maybe more actually. Remember when we were in high school and every female member of the faculty had a thing for him? I think that was when it all began.”
Mackenzie shook her head and took a bite of her club sandwich.
“This is not happening,” she said.
“Says the woman who has been dating an older man for a year,” Athena aid, sarcasm in her voice and her best friend rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. That is different, right?”
“That is definitely not what I wanted to say, but it is. Scott is thirty-two. Mr. Alexander is what? Sixty?” Mackenzie asked.
“Fifty-two, thank you very much,” Athena corrected her. Mackenzie was quiet for a long second before she spoke again.
“So, you have to admit all this is a little weird. I mean, you’ve kept this a secret for years and suddenly you are coming clean? What’s the catch?”
Athena sighed and leaned back in her chair.
“I guess I just got tired of keeping the secret,” she said and Mackenzie’s eyes grew wide.
“Oh my God, you little liar,” she said in a low voice. “You are telling me this s I can stop insisting on you and Jack, huh?”
Athena shrugged. Mackenzie was right. She had been trying to set her up with her friend Jack Kingston for the longest time and Athena had run out of reasons to turn her down. She took another bite of her salad before she took a long sip of her water.
“There is that so, yeah,” Athena said smiling.
“But if I have to admit, the guy is seriously hot,” Mackenzie said in a soft voice. “He has the whole Richard Gere meets George Clooney thing working for him.”
Athena smiled and then laughed.
“I knew that you noticed him when we first met him,” she said as she looked into Mackenzie’s green eyes.
“Yeah…I guess I just never really pictured him as your cup of tea, that’s all,” Mackenzie pointed out and Athena shrugged.
“I have to get going,” Athena said as she looked at her phone. “I wouldn’t want to be late while still on my first week.”
“Wait, so you would rather answer phones and get his coffee rather than get your career…you are literally taking a break from your life, Athena,” Mackenzie said. Athena shook her head as she dabbed the sides of her mouth with a paper towel.
“Actually, not really,” she said. “I just…Mackenzie, you have been my best friend since we were six. And you know how much pressure I grew up with…being the perfect Wright daughter in my mother’s eyes and the devastatingly terrible shit that was my supposed engagement.” Athena shook her head. “I need time to be Athena. And not just Athena Wright, Senator Joel Wright’s daughter.”
Mackenzie shook her head.
“Sweetie, you are a paralegal. You act on this and you know the ripple effect leads right back to your father.”
“Well, he is no longer a senator, so I don’t think I have anything to worry about,” Athena said. “Besides, it’s not like I am planning to suddenly parade Mason Alexander around town advertising myself as his new arm piece or anything.”
Mackenzie shrugged as Athena gathered her stuff.
“I just want you to do you,” she said and Athena smiled as she stood up.
“That’s exactly what I am doing.” She got up and hung her purse on her shoulder. “Need me to wait with you before Scott gets here?”
Mackenzie shook her head.
“No, we fought this morning. And we kind of still are,” she said making Athena smiled.
“Of course,” she said.
“Besides, don’t you have to pass by the store on your way back?” Mackenzie asked as Athena gave her a quick hug.