ME:Why you gotta be all legal about it?
HARLEY:Just trying to keep you out of jail.
GEMMA:Practically a full-time job on its own.
ME:Wow. Rude.
HARLEY:Seems like you might be in need of a girls’ night.
ME:Yes please.
ME:God I’m so horny.
GEMMA:Not that kind of girls’ night.
ME:Okay, I can’t take this anymore.
ME:What is hiding underneath that giant tarp in the corner of the studio space?
JACK:First of all, way to give a guy a heart attack.
JACK:Second, it’s just some stuff from the old setup in the studio. I can get rid of it if you need the space.
ME:I have plenty of space, I was just curious.
ME:Is it stuff you’re going to get rid of? Can I rummage through and see if there’s anything I can repurpose?
JACK:I’ll go through it. I’d really rather you not, if that’s okay.
ME:You do know telling me you don’t want me to see what’s under there only makes me want to look all the more, right?
JACK:I can see how that might be a problem for you, but I also know how much you respect your very kind and giving roommate and therefore will not violate his privacy like that.
ME:Ugh. Respect is the worst.
JACK:If I make you pasta tonight will that make you feel better?
ME:It’s a start.
Thirteen
To girls’ night!”I raise my margarita to the center of the table, waiting for Harley and Gemma to clink glasses before taking a large sip of my frozen beverage.
“I can’t believe you convinced us to come out for drinks on a Tuesday night.” Gemma pouts, but it doesn’t stop her from sucking down half of her margarita in one gulp.
“I’m sorry, guys, the weekends have been crazy for me. Besides, you have a half day tomorrow.” I dip a chip in salsa and shovel it in my mouth. I didn’t have time to eat lunch today and I’m starving.
“You do know that means I still have to see teenagers in the early hours of the morning, right? And then I have to sit through staff development, which, nine times out of ten, is worse than teenagers.” She raises her hand to signal for our server, ordering another drink before Harley and I are even halfway through our first round.
“Well, if you’d like to make a career change, I may have a spot as a floral assistant opening up soon.” My offer is mostly a joke, since Iknow Gemma doesn’t actually want a new job. Though I am basically working from sunup to sundown, and it might be starting to take a toll on me both mentally and physically.
Harley takes a dainty sip of her drink, which will probably last her the entire meal. She’s such a grown-up. “That’s awesome, Sade! I can’t believe how things exploded overnight.” She pops a chip in her mouth. “Actually, that’s not true. I can totally believe it, because you kick ass at everything you attempt.”
“Aw, thanks, friend.” I take a swig of margarita. “That’s so not true, but I appreciate your confidence in me.”
“So should I be interested in a career change, what are we looking at? Pay? Benefits? Hit me.” Gemma folds her arms and leans across the polished wooden table.
“Um, minimum wage and my undying love?” I lick some salt from the rim of my glass before taking another long drink. Damn, that’s good. It’s been a while since I took some time to meet up with just the girls. And it’s been a while since I actually sat down to eat. Usually I’m shoving food in my mouth whenever I can find a second to spare.
