“Oh, God, Lia, it’s two in the morning. Can’t this wait until tomorrow morning?”
“No!” she says, suddenly bright and awake.
“I’m going to bed.”
“It’s okay, it’s written all over your face. You don’t have to say a thing.” She pouts. “How was he?”
I peek out from the bathroom before closing the door. “Wonderful. Now go to bed.”
The next morning, Lia has already made omelets, bacon, freshly squeezed orange juice, and coffee when I saunter into the kitchen. “Is it just me, or have we been eating better lately?” I tease while rubbing my eyes.
“It’s all you.” She smiles.
“God, can we first get the money before we spend it?” I sit down at the table, watching Lia bounce around the kitchen.
“Why? What’s the point? You’re obviously in good with Mr. Kalin Davis. I don’t think the check’s going to bounce.” She ambles around me and places an omelet in front of me from the hot skillet. I take sip of orange juice and smile at her.
“There’s that goofy grin again,” she says, looking at me sideways while she scoops up the bacon from the skillet. “This is healthy bacon. Turkey.” She slides it on my plate.
My eyes dart up at her and back to the plate as she serves me.
“Don’t worry. It tastes like the real thing.”
Lia prepares her plate and scoots in across the table from me.
“Now, my sweet, let’s have the details.”
I take a bite of the omelet. “Oh, my God, Lia. This is so good! Are you sure you want to be a nurse? Why don’t you become a chef?”
“Those are organic, farm-fresh eggs. Nothing but the best for us now,” she says with a gleam in her eye. “Now, stop stalling.” She takes a bite of the omelet and stares at me.
I take a sip of orange juice and avoid her gaze.
“Belle, I already know you did it. I saw the look on your face last night. So stop playing innocent. If I made it with a rich, gorgeous guy like that, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face either. So what’d he do, tell you to screw him or you’re fired?”
“No.” I shake my head and purse my lips at her. “It just happened, you know. I mean, he was so sweet. From the moment I got there, it just kind of came together. He offered me a drink, and then we started talking about the job. The next thing I knew he was kissing my neck.”
“Sounds very sweet. Or more like sexual harassment,” she huffs.
“I’m not a lawyer, Lia, but I think sexual harassment entails unwanted sexual advances. With Kalin, it’s definitely not unwanted.” I grin.
“Or as a condition of employment,” she scoffs between bites.
“He’s certainly not making sex a condition of employment,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Besides, why can’t he hire who he wants? He said he wants to be surrounded by people who inspire him.” I smile. “Shouldn’t he be allowed to do that?”
“I’m just saying, be careful with him. He could be dangerous. A predator.”
“He can stalk me anytime.”
We both snort in laughter. “So he’s hot. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a screw loose.” She grimaces and takes a sip of orange juice.
“Lia, he runs a multi-billion-dollar advertising company. He outmaneuvered some of the best and brightest executives in the industry. I think he has his head on straight.” My tone is slightly miffed. “Besides, he knows what he’s doing. I mean, he obviously has an eye for what sells and how to sell it, including who to hire.” I pause between bites. “But with me, I still don’t know. I mean, he says he wants someone he can trust, and someone who inspires him. It’s a gut feeling. It’s not always a Harvard MBA,” I add defensively. “Besides, he hasn’t given me a reason not to trust him,” I add with a half-shrug. I take a sip of coffee and glance at Lia.
“So when are you getting your first paycheck?”
“This Friday I will have deposited into my bank account more money than I have ever seen in my life—fifty thousand dollars.”
“Holy shit, Belle.” Lia shakes her head in disbelief.
I look at her like a giddy schoolgirl. “I know! It’s so unbelievable.”
“Girl, sexual harassment or not, you better make that man happy.”
We burst into a fit of giggles. I wipe my eyes and reach for her hand. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about how much I owe you, Lia. You saved my ass so many times, and I haven’t forgotten.”
Lia pats my hand and shrugs. “We’re always here for each other. That’s the only reason I bring this stuff up. You’re my best friend. I’m always looking out for you. Besides, I’m already spending your money.” She gives me a mischievous grin.