“I eventually drew the line at CJ,” I said. “I broke up with him.”
“After way too long,” Lorie complained. “You missed out on all of the joys of your junior and senior year because of him. All because his dad played golf with yours.”
“Your dad also plays golf with my dad,” I retorted.
“Ugh,” she groaned, “don’t remind me. My dad claims he’s not a sellout, but why else would the police chief buddy up to the governor?”
I smiled. “I love you. Fight the man.”
“You know I will,” Lorie quipped back.
“Well, I’m glad I dropped CJ, but I have no plans to drop you, so there you go,” I said.
“Damn straight you aren’t dropping me. You’re stuck with me for life,” she said. “On the topic of CJ. How did that date go on Wednesday?”
“Um… what date?” I asked.
“Tell me you didn’t cancel it,” Lorie said.
I shook my head. “No, I think you’re mistaken.”
“I amnotmistaken. I set you up with the guy from my office, Tanner. He’s really great, I think you’d love him,” she said. “Is this why he’s been avoiding me at work? You blew him off?”
“I didn’t blow him off! I told him I wasn’t feeling well and asked if we could reschedule,” I squeaked back.
“Were you feeling unwell?” Lorie asked.
“No…”
“Have you rescheduled?”
I took a noncommittal sip of my coffee. “No.”
“Avionnnnn,” Lorie moaned. “What are you going to do, just work forever and never be happy?”
“Of course not,” I replied. “It’s perfectly normal to be a career woman for a bit before looking for love first, I’ll get there.”
“That is perfectly normal, and nothing even says youhaveto look for love, but I know that you want that, and I know you won’t take any time for it. You’re such a workaholic, plus you have that whole thing with your dad’s circle,” Lorie said. “Just… make time for you, okay kid?”
“I will,” I replied. “I promise.”
“I shudder to even ask, but what are you doing tomorrow? It’s Saturday, the day when most twenty-three-year-olds go out with their friends and get drinks or go dancing or pick up cute guys. Whaddya say? Let’s go be normal for a night.”
“That actually doesn’t sound half bad,” I said. “My dad planned a million things for today and nothing for tomorrow, so it should be okay. I’ll call you in the morning. If my dad and brothers haven’t killed me with these back-to-back engagements today, then I’m in.”
I heard her clap on the other line. “Yes! I’m so excited.”
“But no boys. It’s not work or anything, I just want to spend a relaxing night with my bestie,” I said.
She sighed then. “Fine. I guess because you’re flattering me, I’ll let it slide, but next time we go out, you have to let me find you some cute guys to bring home.”
I rolled my eyes, mostly because she couldn’t see me, but also because I knew it would be a while before we’d go out again. “Deal.” My phone buzzed in my hand and I could see text messages rolling in from my brothers. Specifically, my immediate older brother, Anton. It wasn’t even eight yet and they were blowing my phone up making sure I’d be ready to go when they arrived. “Lor, I gotta go. My brothers are trying to track me down and I have a few calls to make before I leave.”
“Fine. Tell Vincent that when he’s ready to fall in love with me, I’m here.”
I scoffed. “Yeah, I’ll get right on that.”
She giggled. “Hey, it’s not my fault all that beauty runs in your family.”
