“Well did we all know Simone went on a date with Trey Friday night?” Aspen looks to me and mouths a sorry after she’s already thrown me under the bus.
I can’t be mad at her for bringing up a sore topic. I haven’t told her how the night we thought was a date turned out to be very much a non-date.
“Ugh.” I swallow a bite and give them a quick update about Trey’s job offer. “So it wasn’t a date but more of an interview. Except I already have the job so I interviewed him? Maybe? The whole thing is … too much.”
“You should take it.”
Marissa’s quick answer throws me off guard. It’s the last thing I’d expect her to agree with. “Why?”
She’s fast to answer again. “Because men suck and if you get a job out of this one, I say take it. It beats waiting tables, right?”
She has a point, but it also highlights other issues. “I don’t know. Wouldn’t it be weird to make Trey coffee every morning?"
Let’s not even think about what I’d do if he brought a date around. He might have made it clear he doesn’t want to date me, but it doesn't mean I feel the same way. For some stupid reason. “And I can’t quit Bonnie’s after three shifts."
“For once I actually agree with Marissa. Working with Trey might be awkward, but from what I’ve seen he’s super focused while at work. I bet you wouldn't see him much at all. I say go for it,” Aspen’s even tone adds more support to Marissa’s suggestion.
I look to Amanda. She’s the one who hooked me up at Bonnie’s. I don’t want to ruin her relationship with a client.
“Bonnie loses employees fast. She’s always in a bind, but if you’re worried ask her for nights or weekends. Tips can still help you pay off the debt faster. If you explain the situation, she’ll understand. She’s pretty cool.”
“There. It’s unanimous. Screw Trey. Forget he even works there and take this job for you.” Marissa makes man hating sound upbeat. It's a skill she’s worked hard to perfect.
Aspen’s hand shoots in the air. “I don’t think Amanda and I said that exactly.”
“Close enough.” Marissa waves her off with a hand. “Oh, and another perk. Don’t employees get free apartments, Pen?”
Aspen scrunches up her face at the question. “Yes, but I’m not sure you’d qualify.” She turns her head to me like I’ll be upset at her over it. “It’s for certain full-time employees who’ve been there for at least six months. Something along those lines. Sorry.”
I push my shoulder up in a half shrug. Apartment or not, the salary Trey mentioned Friday night would help me pay off my debt before I have children. Can I suck up enough of my pride and bruised ego to work for him?
“Text him and say yes.” Marissa throws her Styrofoam container in her white to-go bag and leans back on her elbows.
“Don’t push her. She’ll do it if she decides to.” Aspen nods her head in my direction and then her eyes find Marissa. “Plus I want to hear about this date you went on last night.”
Amanda gasps, “You went on a date?”
Amanda’s right. It’s a little shocking. Marissa preaches the anti-man every Sunday. Not that being cheated on a few months before your wedding doesn’t entitle you to a little penis hate.
Marissa leans back with her eyes to the sky. “Why’d I tell you that? It was fine. He was okay, but he wore a camo hat to the date so I can’t see him again."
“Seriously?” Aspen asks. “That’s why you won't see him again? Because he wore camo?”
Marissa sits up. “Hey, it’s a big deal to me. A man should have some fashion sense.”
“No. That’s not right. You’re hiding something from us. We want the details, Marissa.” Amanda stops to take a drink from her cup and then, when Marissa doesn’t start talking, waves her on with her free hand.
“I’ll give you the details if Simone says yes to the job.”
“That’s kind of low.” Aspen cocks her head to the side, but then looks to me with a please in her eyes.
“Fine,” I respond. I’d already made up my mind to take the job later today, but if saying yes now means I get to hear the details of Marissa's failed first date back on the market, I’ll take it.
Marissa sits up straighter. “I want to see the evidence. Do it now. Text him.”
“Okay, but if he makes me give him a foot rub or buy flowers for a new girlfriend, I’m hunting you down.” I grab the phone from my pocket and open the previous text messages from Trey. We haven’t talked since he arranged the date Friday, but he’ll get it this way and it’s better than an actual call.
I send off the text quickly before I regret it more than I’ve already started to.
