“Well, we got some new hotel projects,” Marina says, heading over to Cora’s desk. “A bunch of different files for different hotels have been sent to us, and we’re to do research to see which hotels look like they’ll be the most profitable and the easiest to market. Then we’re to send a ranked list up to the directors, because I guess they’re investing in the hotel business and want more research done as to how we’d market them.”
“Awesome,” I say, feeling excited. “I think that’s why I was hired. I used to work in a bed and breakfast.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” Cora says. “Where did you work?”
“In Whispering Haven, where I grew up. My best friends and I ran the Whispering Haven bed and breakfast. I mean, we didn’t own it or anything. My best friend Willow, well, her cousin and aunt owned it.” I wrinkle my nose at the thought of those witches. “Anyway, that doesn’t really matter right now. But at one point in time, the three of us thought we would invest in our own bed and breakfast, and we were saving up to do so. It just hasn’t worked out yet.” I sigh deeply because I don’t know if it’s ever going to work out. I don’t know if we’ll ever get our bed and breakfast. All of us have said it’s still the plan, but every time I speak to Willow, she seems to be less and less interested.Brielle’s already freaking out about her job with Levi, and I’m not even sure why. I wonder if she has a crush on him. He is really cute, but if she does, she’s certainly not sharing that information.
“Hey, you look like you just spaced out,” Xander says as he grabs the box of chocolates. “Sounds like running that place was a lot of work.” I watch as he casually opens my box of chocolates like they are his, but I don’t say anything. All I can do is laugh. Who gives someone a box of chocolates and then opens it up themselves?
“I was just thinking about my best friends and our plan,” I say. “We had hoped to pitch an idea to a group of investors. I mean, we kind of did a pitch, but they didn’t think we had enough experience to make it profitable. That’s why we’re all working jobs related to being business owners. So we can figure out how to be successful proprietors of a bed and breakfast. But we’ll see if that happens. As life goes on, the dream seems further and further away.”
“Wow, that sounds absolutely fabulous,” Marina says, grabbing a chocolate from the box as Xander hands it to her. “Like something Katharine Hepburn would do.” She gasps as she takes a bite into the creamy looking morsel. “Guys, I forgot to tell you my good news. I got an audition for a play.”
“No way,” Xander says, shock in his eyes and voice. “Not on Broadway.” His jaw drops and he looks astounded, like aliens have just entered the room. I look away so as not to laugh. The theatrics between Xander and Marina are absolutely hilarious.
“What do you mean, not on Broadway?” She stares at him with wide accusatory eyes. “Do you think I can’t get an audition on Broadway?”
“I mean, yay if it’s on Broadway, but I wanna know who’s casting for Broadway shows? If you got an audition did you have to sleep with someone?”
“You’re such a jerk, Xander.”
“I’m one of your best friends, and I’m just being honest.” He shrugs. “I don’t think you’re ready yet.”
“Well, to be clear, it’s not on Broadway. It’s an off-Broadway show, and it’s called IKEA: Furniture for the People.” Marina says proudly.
Xander looks at me and makes a face. “That sounds like an interesting play. What’s it about?”
“Well,” Marina says and then she starts singing, “it’s about a girl that works in IKEA, and she builds furniture for the people.” Her voice cracks when she hits a high note, and Cora starts coughing. I look down at the ground because I can’t make eye contact with Marina right now. She seems to be taking this whole thing so seriously, and I really don’t know if she knows that she can’t sing.
“IKEA doesn’t make furniture for people,” Xander says. “You hire someone to make it if you buy IKEA furniture.”
“No, silly,” she says. “She works in IKEA, and she builds furniture in the store so people can see what it looks like. Anyway, her name is Isla Peta.”
Xander starts laughing. “What a shitty-ass name. Isla Peta, like who is called Isla Pete?”
“I didn’t write the script,” Marina says, jutting her chin out defiantly. “Anyway, it’s unique. If I get the part, I’ll be Petrolia Gasoline.”
I stare at Cora and then Xander. All of our eyes are wide. I can tell that if Marina continues, we’re all going to burst out laughing.
“Anyway,” Marina says, and starts tap dancing, “I’m trying to practice my moves because I feel like I could seriously get a role, if not as Petrolia, then as her assistant Exonnia.”
I stare at her. “Seriously. Is it April 1st or something?”
“No. Why would you say that?”
“You’re trying out for a part called Petrolia or the assistant Exonnia, like Exxon, the gas station?”
“Yeah and so what? I’m practicing my lines today,” she belts out. “Because I think I’m going to get the part, and then you will all be jealous.”
“Jealous of what?” Xander asks.
“Cos you’ll see me at the Tonys, and maybe I’ll be marrying Liam Hemsworth.” She suddenly stops. “Can you imagine? I would totally die if Liam Hemsworth came to the show and saw me and proposed.”
“It’s not going to happen,” Xander says bluntly. “One, if you get the part of Petrolia, I don’t think the show’s going to last long. But two, if you get the part, and the show lasts long, and Liam Hemsworth comes to see it and proposes to you—well, girl, buy a lottery ticket, because your time has come.”
“Xander, don’t make me laugh,” I say, trying hard not to giggle.
“Why not?” He grabs another chocolate and then finally offers me the box. I grab it and debate between a strawberry creme and dark chocolate filled with caramel.
