“After my parents leave town I’ll have you both over and we can go through everything. I haven’t even opened anything yet. I’m waiting until I know for certain that my parents won’t bust in on me again.”
Brit cackled. “God, what I wouldn’t give to have been there when that happened.”
Kelly laughed hysterically. “I bet they almost shit themselves. Did they give you a lecture? Please tell me they gave you a lecture like you were eleven years old.”
I rolled my eyes. “I hate you both.”
Brit gasped. “Oh! That reminds me! Have you gone on another date with that accountant guy?”
Kelly paused. “Wait, you’re dating? Since when!?”
I scratched the back of my head. “The accountant guy was pretty boring, go figure. But I have been on a couple of dates with this doctor named Michael.”
Brit whistled. “A doctor, huh? Sounds like you’re moving on up in the world.”
“How’s it going with the doctor, then?” Kelly asked.
I shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess. I mean, it’s nice to have company sometimes, but the two of us have such busy schedules that we don’t get much time to talk or see one another.”
Brit slid off the edge of my desk. “Maybe your newfound toys will give you a reason to hit him up.”
Kelly clapped her hands in excitement. “If you use those bad boys, I want to know every single detail.”
“Trust me, we know,” I said with a smirk.
Kelly side-eyed Brit. “You told her, didn’t you?”
Brit balked. “You should see some of the stuff she bought. How could I not!?”
I held out my hand. “All right, all right. Let’s keep it down. We’ve still got people passing by and looking into my office like I’m some sort of freak show.”
“Do you think you’ll see the doctor guy again?” Kelly asked.
“His name’s Michael,” Brit said flatly.
But, I couldn’t lie to them. “I don’t know, honestly. I just--.”
It took me a while to gather the words I wanted to use.
“I’m just having a hard time getting my life in order. Between Tommy and the trial stuff, being overburdened by the amount of work I have to do until Mr. Ryker’s main accountant gets back, and my parents being in town for an undetermined amount of time? It just feels like things are spiraling out of control, and I don’t want to add anymore unknowns to my plate until I can get everything else sorted out.”
Kelly nodded. “That makes sense, actually. Most of my clients come to me because they feel like they’re spiraling, so if they’re going to lose control they might as well choose how they lose it.”
I pointed at her. “I get that train of thought.”
Brit’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Girl, screw the rest of the world. You do what makes you happy. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone, ever, and if cooping up until this trial shit and everything else goes away is what you need, then we’ll have girls’ nights and sleepovers and we’ll really do it up.”
I smiled softly. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.”
Kelly leaned in playfully. “Does that mean that when we come over, I can see this new stash of yours?”
I grinned. “Duh.”
She pumped her fist into the air. “Yesssss.”
“But,” I said as I turned toward my computer, “I really have to get to work. It’ll be a later day for me today, and I still want to get off with enough time to do dinner with my parents.”
“Good luck with that,” Brit said through her giggles.
