“Were they cool about it?”
“The CEO wasn’t happy, that’s for sure,” she said with a shrug. “But what could he do? Nothing.”
“Have you heard anything yet?”
“About available jobs?” she asked. “There are a couple that people have mentioned something, but I’m not sure either of them is the right fit. One is in Chicago—no thanks. Too far away, and I don’t think it’s a remote position. The other is pretty much like my last job, traveling three weeks out of the month. Even the idea of it feels exhausting now.”
“The right one will show up.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” she replied. “I have plenty in savings, and it’s not like I have a lot of bills while I’m staying at my parents’ house. I’m trying to just remember that it’ll all work out somehow.”
“You’ve got time.”
“This’ll all work out, too,” she said, waving her hand at the windshield. “You’ll find out what she left you, and then we’ll get some food and head home. By this afternoon, we’ll be naked in your bed.”
“Something to look forward to.”
“That’s what I’m saying.” She nodded.
“We’re getting food?” I asked, glancing at her as I turned up the windshield wipers.
“There’s a Hawaiian restaurant that I never get to go to,” she said, holding her coffee between her knees so she could clasp her hands beneath her chin. “I’m never in Portland. Please, please, please?”
“Noho’s or Grinds?” I asked, trying to think of any other Hawaiian places I could remember.
“Noho’s.” She grinned.
“We can make that happen.”
“You’re the best.”
“Then the bar must be super fuckin’ low.”
“You’d be surprised.” Turning in her seat, she bent her leg and tucked her ankle beneath her other knee. “I’ve been withsome nice guys, but most of them are shit. The dating scene is rough.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“What, you don’t date?” she asked curiously. “I thought you and Lou—”
“I’ve been on dates,” I clarified. “Maybe I’m one of those shit guys, though, because it’s usually only a couple, and then things fizzle.”
“Oh, no,” she whispered dramatically. “We’re on borrowed time.”
“Why, you gonna ghost me?”
“It sounds like you’re the one doing the ghosting,” she argued. “Because I can tell you that you are not a shit guy, and also that women would put up with a shit guy if he fucked the way you do.”
I choked on the sip of coffee in my mouth.
“So, it’s clearly you doing the ghosting,” she finished, pleased with herself.
“Thank you?” I wheezed. “I think? But, with that logic, you should have a ring on your finger by now.”
“I know, right,” she said, smiling hugely. “I’m excellent in bed.”
“Truth.”
“And I haven’t even sucked your dick yet.”
