“I have, but he thinks that I’m too focused on my goals. He says that I’m emotionally unavailable and sometimes cruel with the way that I become self-focused and ignore him.”
“Are you?” Lupita challenged.
I stopped pacing and glared at her. “I’m not here for therapy, Lupita.”
“Then why are you here, Kenni?”
“I need my friend to understand and give me advice on my situation.”
“And I did. I told you to talk with your man about your issue.”
I groaned. “That’s not all it is. There’s the pressure of this promotion. Do you think that I’ll get it and they’ll take me seriously?”
“Why wouldn’t they? You’ve worked your ass off for this spot, Kenni. In the last few years, no one has sacrificed more than you have or worked harder than you have.”
“I heard that they were looking at external sources for the position as well. Angelique in HR told me they were taking résumés for it.”
“Legally, they had to post the position, but that doesn’t mean they have to take interviews or hire externally. Just like Angelique told you that, Milicent told me that they have a preferred candidate,” Lupita declared with a smirk.
“Really?”
“Girl, I wouldn’t shit you. What you need to do is take some time out while they go through the process and breathe. Take a day for some self-care. Don’t work this weekend. And aside from self-care, maybe spend a night away from home with your man. Show him what he means to you again.”
I sighed. “I know. I just don’t want to drop the ball when I’m so close.”
Lupita stood up from her desk and walked around to me. Grabbing my hands, she replied, “And you won’t. Breathe, Kenni, and trust that everything will work out fine. Don’t lose your man behind this though.”
“I was told those same words with Brent, and I lost him anyway.”
“Maybe he wasn’t meant to be your one, but I believe Bryse is. He’s a good man, Kenni. You’re going to get the promotion. I believe it in my spirit, but make sure that you have someone to enjoy the good times with as well.”
“Okay,” I replied softly.
I hadn’t told my girls about the invitation the woman had given me at the bar. I wasn’t certain why, but I held it close to my chest. I truly worried about what Bryse would have to say about me canceling this weekend’s date night. It was all good when he did it, but when I did it, it was a problem.
Either way, it would be broken. I was going to that party to meet the mystery person I had been chatting with for the last two weeks.
COMPANION 713:I viewed your posts, and it seems as if we have several things in common.
PINA COLADA:Watching MMA, fall leaves, making love at midnight, and building sandcastles.
COMPANION 713:Exactly. But I can’t lie, walking in the rain & Hennessy punch have a brother in a chokehold.
PINA COLADA:LOL! Same. I enjoy a good pina colada quite often, but those Hennessey punches hit different.
COMPANION 713:What’s with the fall leaves? You like watching them fall?
PINA COLADA:Of course, doesn’t everyone? But I can’t lie. I get like a little kid and jump in the leaves. It used to drive my dad insane.
COMPANION 713:I’ll have to admit. I never tried that because I was the one out there raking the leaves. LOL!
PINA COLADA:Then ofc you can’t appreciate the fun in that. Maybe I’ll have to teach you how to let go and just fall into them one day.
COMPANION 713:Hopefully soon. I’m counting down the days until the party. I’m a bit nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before.
PINA COLADA:Me either. Although I love the anonymity in it and how it removes the automatic sexual tension you get in meeting in person.
COMPANION 713:Exactly. This allows us to build an organic connection.
