Lia works at a local bar, waitressing. One of the first things I am going to do is make sure she can quit her job and focus on her studies.
I slip on my skinny jeans and a striped linen top. I have a closet full of newer, finer clothes, and I haven’t even put a dent in the bonus. I have no idea what I could do with a few million dollars. I don’t even know how much it is, except that it’s too much to think about.
I drive up to the restaurant, and Caitlyn is waiting for me. Caitlyn was my friend at the University of Texas. We were on the tennis team together until we separated after graduation. We had so many dreams back then, so different from the real world of survival, crushing student loans, and limited employment opportunities usually given to the lowest bidder. I was quickly learning that it was a dog-eat-dog world. I was hoping that Caitlyn was doing much better in her career than I had been. Well, until recently anyway.
Caitlyn is the quintessential southern belle, with gigantic blue eyes and thick blond hair that she has to tame with either an assortment of hair care products or just a ponytail, like today. She smiles and hugs me.
Caitlyn stuns me right out of the gate. “So I’m engaged to my boyfriend from UT,” she says.
My mouth drops open. “Greg Harper?”
“Yeah, it really turned serious after college. He got an engineering position in San Antonio. He asked me to marry him after that.”
“Wow, Caitlyn. That is so wonderful.” I place my hands over hers from across the table, and we go into a tizzy like two schoolgirls. “You two were always so good together.”
“He’s the one, Belle. He is kind, and sexy, and I cannot recall the last time that we even argued. He’s such a sweetheart. And he knows what he’s doing in bed.”
We both giggle at the remark. “That’s major,” I chuckle. “So what about your business consulting job out here?”
“I’m quitting. I’m going to be taking care of…” She pats her tummy, and my eyes bug out of my head.
“You’re pregnant?” I say.
“Yes! I decided I want to raise the baby myself instead of leaving it at a daycare center while I work all day.”
“Oh, my God, Cat, that is so wonderful.” I step around the table to hug her, and she has a glow about her. “You’re just full of news today,” I say in her ear.
“How about you, Belle? What’s going on? Don’t hold back on me, now.”
My mind is a whirlwind of events over the past few weeks. “I was in a real slump looking for a job. Then I interviewed at TALVIS Advertising, and things really turned around. I was hired as Kalin Davis’s marketing assistant.”
“The CEO?” she asks, wide-eyed.
“Yes. But wait, there’s more.” I smile at her.
“What?” Her eyes are glowing with anticipation.
“We’re kind of dating.”
“You’re kind of dating Kalin Davis? Oh, my God. Belle. Hottie,” she gushes. “He just asked you out after the interview?”
“Yeah.” I shrug.
“He must like you, sweetie,” she says with a tilt of her head. “What did you say in that interview?” she chuckles.
“It was pretty typical,” I say, holding a glass of water and pressing a straw between my lips.
“Maybe he wants a partner in life, and not just in business, Belle. I can see why he would pick you. You’re honest, smart, and beautiful.”
“You always made me feel better, Caitlyn. I really like him too. And talk about knowing his way around…” Caitlyn and I laugh at the comment, lightening my mood from the complications that are Kalin Davis. “But he is a CEO, so it gets kind of complicated.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know.” I know I don’t want to tell her everything, but I want some hint of Caitlyn’s opinion since she has always been pretty good with spotting jerks. “He could be using me, who knows.”
“You mean for your hot bod.” Caitlyn leans in and smiles at me.
I chuckle. “I am sure he can have his pick of any woman he wants. That’s what worries me.”
“Maybe it’s because you’re smart and beautiful. Have you thought of that?”
I press my hand over hers. “You such a good friend. But how do you know if that’s really it?”
“Your asshole detector. You haven’t lost it, have you?” A soft smile curves her lips.
“No, but that was easier in college.” I frown. “There were lots of immature jerks. These jerks are in the big leagues now.”
“It still works. You know the signs. He’s cheap, stingy, or selfish. Especially the last one. I can give a guy a break for being broke, but not selfish. Is he selfish in bed?”