“Jody told me about it over lunch, and they haven’t made an official decision yet. They’re going to discuss it at a board meeting next week. They’re worried about competition with another start-up their competitor purchased lastweek.”
I growl. “Sounds like I might need to swing by and make anappearance.”
“I’ll get you the numbers, and I’ll go ahead and book you a meeting for early next week. That should at least buy us some time. Just send me a date that works for you. And of course, five-star hotel with fabulous room service that I can get some points through, center of the city in case you want to sneak out for a little bar time, and a ride in the official Westright privatejet.”
I burst into laughter. She’s trying to cheer me up. “Oh, do I suddenly have a privatejet?”
“You can if you tell me you want one.” Shewinks.
“Then you might be out of asalary.”
“New number, who dis?” sheteases.
“What?”
“Oh my God, Eric. Google it. I figured with your twenty-three-year-old boyfriend, you’d be more in touch with popularculture.”
“He’s twenty-four as of last week,remember?”
“That’s right. Well, I clearly can’t keep everything in this head of mine. I think you should give me credit for being so thorough with this Ramsey & Strike crisis,” Vanessa says with a bright, charismatic smile, the sort she’s always used to help her sweet-talk anyone who might be half as difficult asme.
“You did a good job, Vee. I’ll give you a date for next week. Let me just check with my man. I’m not gonna get dicked around because these guys got coldfeet.”
It’s kind of nice having an issue like this to resolve. Since Jesse and I have been together, work stuff has been smooth sailing, as if the universe had conspired to help me overcome my issues by giving me the space Ineeded.
“I know that look,” Vanessasays.
“Whatlook?”
“You’re excited about the idea of getting to go out and play big-shot Eric Westright again. Don’tlie.”
“I couldn’t lie to you if I wanted, Vee. But enough about business. How are your kidsdoing?”
“Luca’s struggling with a pretty big presentation he has to do for his biology class, and Jenna’s stressing about her roommate drama in the dorms, so I think that’s the best that could be expected. What aboutyou?”
I’d already discussed the details of my relationship with Jesse and how it plays into my own personal dynamic, and whether she means it to or not, I can’t help but sense the tension in her question…as though she’s nervous on my behalf for the massive shitstorm I found myselfin.
“Can’t complain. Things are moving along, and Ty’s actually texting—hell, he’s even called me recently, which is a first in a very longtime.”
“Calling? Oh, wow. And how about him andJesse?”
“They’re hanging out as much as they didbefore.”
“That’s wonderfulnews.”
“Yes, itis.”
“And what are you guys doing for theholidays?”
“Well, there’s some family thing with Jesse’s parents, and he has this charity he does every year that I’ll be helping him with. God, don’t remind me about Christmas, though. I’ve barely survived Jesse’sbirthday.”
“Fair enough. Keep me posted about your schedule, and I’ll get you all set for NewYork.”
“Sounds great, Vee. Thank youagain.”
We say our goodbyes, and then I check the messages on my phone, which vibrated during my conversation with Vanessa. I’m expecting it to be Jesse since I texted him earlier to ask about his day, and as I pull up the messages, there’s one from Jesse, but also another from a familiar name. One I reminisce about every day, but in working to push her to the back of my mind, I find her presence still haunts me, even in therapy as I attempt to avoid her the way I’ve avoided so many othersubjects.
Connie.
