CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It was a few short months ago when I first met Marissa, the day her office came to help paint our gym. We spent hours talking while she was unable to help with a hurt ankle. It wasn’t long after she invited me to my first girls’ brunch. Each week since has been a back and forth about whether or not I’d attend, but it’s the first Sunday where I’m dressed and happy to be on my way to one.
Not only have I finally accepted myself as at least a partial member of the RDA gang, but I spent way too much time last night thinking about this whole Grant situation. It’ll be nice to sit back, relax, and have girl talk that doesn’t revolve around boys.
The door to Cosmo’s Comics and Café swings open and Jason the café owner raises a hand in greeting as he stands behind the checkout counter.
“Hey, Clare. You want your regular?” he asks before grabbing a mug and holding it up.
I wave back. “Sure.”
Two ladies turn around to see me from their place on the orange couches at the back of the store. There’s a moment when all the RDA girls and Jason look at me while theCheerstheme song kicks up my head. I’m definitely in a place where everyone knows my name.
Who’d a thought?
“Hey, Chicka,” Aspen says passing me a wrapped tube of aluminum foil. “Marissa approved burritos this morning. I picked you up what you normally order.”
“Thanks.” I latch on to the packet and take a deep breath. Beyond this aluminum foil is the best breakfast burrito you’ll ever eat in your entire life. The sausage, the cheese, the peppers, and the scrambled eggs. They mix together to form this gooey breakfast miracle. If coffee is the nectar of the gods, these burritos are the …. well, burritos of the gods.
I’m not sure why but every time we get burritos for breakfast Aspen takes the time to run it by Marissa first. If she approves it, we switch. I haven’t gathered the courage to ask why.
“So, Aspen, are you engaged yet?” I ask bouncing on the couch twice to get comfortable before I rip open my burrito.
“No, but I promise I will tell you when it happens.” She gives Marissa the side-eye with both eyebrows raised. “Expect to get a text immediately after.”
“Well since Aspen doesn’t have exciting news to share, I’ll share mine.” Simone puts her burrito down and we all stop, overdoing the anticipation. “I’m moving into Trey’s place.”
“That’s expected but nice. Why now?” Marissa asks unwrapping her burrito.
“We’ve been talking about it for a while, but then one of Melvin’s interns needs to move. His roommate bought a cat or something. Honestly I’m tired of hearing about it.”
Melvin is Simone’s favorite employee at Raven Digital Arts, Finn and Trey’s company.
And I say that with sarcasm. She can’t stand the man. It’s settled down over the last few months, but Aspen is always worried Finn will need to call an ambulance one day.
“What’s his name?” I can’t stop myself from asking. The crazy employee with a cat problem seems too familiar.
Simone gives me a questioning look. “Jesse. Why?”
I chuckle for a moment to myself, but the story is way too long and unbelievable to share. “No reason. How are you handling Melvin and the coworker?”
Simone laughs. “It’s nice. They keep themselves entertained correcting one another nonstop all day long. They’re like brothers who are so similar they hate each other. It’s been quite hilarious on my end.”
The conversation continues on about Simone and Trey. Whether she plans to redecorate, needs help packing, and if she’ll be able to handle living with Trey in general. When everyone is satisfied with her answers, we move on to the next person for an update.
Marissa rolls up her burrito wrapper and tosses it on the coffee table in between the couches. “I have nothing. No update this week.”
“Seriously? Ryland hasn’t taken up any new hobbies?” Aspen asks. “Fly fishing?”
Marissa laughs. “Nope and the fish is still alive so everything is hunky-dory. What about you, Amanda?”
Amanda’s face turns a light shade of pink and we know she’s got something good to share. “I went on the third date with Kyle.”
“Ohhhh, the DJ?” Aspen asks leaning into the conversation.
“Yes, Aspen, that one.” Amanda laughs and chooses that moment to take a bite of her burrito so she can’t answer more questions. She’s a smart one. She’s been a member of the group long enough to know her stall tactics. Build suspense.
“Did you follow the third date rule?” Marissa asks.
