Nerd Girl(23)

I earned a two this year. I had my review a few weeks ago, before I left my old team. Thankfully, scores were assigned before I told my manager I wanted to leave. I’m not saying that I would’ve had a lower score had they done the calibrations after they knew about my intentions to leave, but the risk was always there.

I looked to Amy admiringly. “I’m so amazed that you’re able to work here, with all the demands this company asks of you, and still manage raising two boys.”

Vivek nodded in agreement. I could tell Vivek looked up to Amy and I could see why. I was single, had no children, and sometimes I could barely keep up with the pace MS demanded of me. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like taking care of two kids and a husband on top of that.

“Yeah, well I don’t have much of a choice,” she said humbly. “Maybe someday I can cut back to part time or something. I’m trying to get my husband to get a job here; he does server sales right now. If we can get that to happen, I might think of quitting or maybe doing some consulting part time. But for now, I have to stay because of the benefits.” She shrugged. She didn’t sound like she was complaining, though. She had resigned herself to this reality and was merely trying to make the best of it.

“Amy is my idol,” Vivek said with reverence. “She has her priorities in order. Even after what she just said, she’ll probably still get a two, because the executives love her. She’s such an ass kisser.”

Amy teasingly whacked Vivek on the head. “Shut up.”

Vivek looked at me and whispered conspiringly, “Amy is Catherine’s favorite, too.”

She glared back at him in jest and I couldn’t help laughing at their friendly banter. They were obviously good friends as well as co-workers.

A petite, dark-haired girl walked up to our table. She was gorgeous and I recognized her from the interviews. “Can I join you guys?” she asked.

“Of course,” Amy said as she scooted over further on her side of the booth.

“Hi, Julia. Do you remember me? I’m Mia,” she greeted me enthusiastically.

Mia was also on Catherine’s team and had been on the interview loop. She looked about my age; tiny and full of energy. She had on a pair of contemporary, red-framed eyeglasses and bright red lipstick to match. With her long dark brown hair, cute bangs, and beautiful light blue eyes, I could see why her doppelganger was Zooey Daschanel, though Lisa Loeb would’ve been a close second …

“Yes, of course I remember you,” I said, smiling in acknowledgement.

Vivek nudged Amy to get her attention as a tall, attractive guy with dark hair walked past the table. I looked over at Vivek and noticed his mouth was gaping open. His eyes followed the gorgeous man down the hall.

“Oh my God!” Mia gasped in hushed embarrassment. “Can you be more obvious, Vivek?”

“What?” he defended. “I was just looking! Can’t I enjoy the scenery? I wouldn’t touch.”

“Whatever happened to Gabe? Aren’t you still seeing him?” Amy asked.

“Oh, Amy, we haven’t caught up in a while, have we?” Vivek looked disapprovingly at her. “Gabe was so yesterday,” he said waving his hand in a blasé manner.

“What happened?” Amy asked.

“He wanted to see other people.” Vivek rolled his eyes. “We’re still friends, but that’s all. I want a relationship, not a fu—”

“Stop!” Mia yelled, interrupting him. “This is Julia’s first time having lunch with us. Mind your manners, Vivek!”

He rolled his eyes. “She’ll learn eventually. Besides, I can already tell that Julia can hang with us. She’s cool.” He grinned at me with a knowing nod.

I smiled, nodded, and winked back at him. I had found my people.

“Well, I hate to break it to ya, but that guy you were gaping at is straight,” Mia commented.

“Yeah, I figured.” Vivek sighed in defeat. “All the good ones are always taken or straight.”

“But he is single I think,” Mia said with a mischievous little gleam in her eye. She looked over at me. “What about you, Julia? Is he your type?”

“Sheesh, Mia! You don’t even know if she’s single yet!” Amy reminded her, looking protectively my way. “Give it a rest, would you?”

I nervously laughed off any discomfort at the sudden attention focused on me. “Oh gosh, I don’t know. I barely got a look at him. Besides, I don’t think I could ever date someone from the office.” I cringed internally as I said this, knowing that I was blatantly lying. If it were Ryan, I knew that all rules would be tossed out the window without a second thought.