“Okay, well, I’m gonna head out front. Give me a call if you change your mind.” He leaves, closing the office door behind him.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, turning to Ada. “Pay for extra stuff around here, I mean.”
She looks away. “I know.”
“It was really nice of you.”
“You needed help, and I could help. It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s a big deal to me.” I take another swig of gin and let the alcohol guide me to the confession that’s been building for months. “Addy?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m poor.”
She frowns. “How poor?”
“Really poor. Like… horror-movie bank statements. So much red it’s practically bleeding.”
“Jesus, Cee.”
“Right?” I sob. “I even tried selling pictures of my feet online a few months ago to fix the hole in the roof that my stupid landlord keeps ignoring.”
Ada’s eyes widen. “Please tell me that worked?”
I shake my head. “Nobody actually wants feet pics. They’re just trying to trick you into sexting. Men are so disappointing. They can’t even fetish right.”
Ada makes a considering face. “You do have beautiful toes, though... Thrasher Thompson’s supposed to be into feet?”
A full-body shudder runs through me. “I wouldn’t let Thrasher Thompsoneye-fuckme. Why’d you even meet up with him tonight?”
“Revenge,” Ada sighs.
“Ah.”
“Didn’t work, obviously.”
“There’s always next time?”
“I’m not so sure. At least not from the ‘seduce and destroy’ angle. Apparently, Jake ‘laid proper claim to me’ in the stupid golf chat all the rugby guys from school are in. Single-handedly derailed my seduction destruction.”
Her words are flippant, but her voice isn’t. There’s something fragile tucked behind them. A part of Ada likes that Jake staked his claim.AdalikesJake.
Yes, I think.He’s perfect for you, Addy. Be with him. Have six half-Italian babies and take them for brunch in Herne Bay with your rescue cavoodle, Teddy.
Ada tosses her dark mane like an irritated show pony. “That’s what he actually called it,‘Laying a proper claim.’Like I’m a fucking side table at an estate sale he slapped a Post-It note on.”
I laugh. “I think Jake’s more the type to throw the table over his shoulder, walk out of the sale, then torch the estate so no one can followhim… Hold on, did you say golf chat?”
“I know, right?” Ada rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m fucking a guy who plays golf.Humiliating.”
“We’re getting old,” I agree.
“Be that as it may, Jake’s Post-It note worked. All the thirsty guys have already taken down their comments. I don’t know what the fuck I’m gonna do…”
“Accept you’ve met someone you like and not commit violent acts of revenge at our high school reunion?” I say hopefully, bumping my knee against hers. “Huh?Huh?”
“Magic 8 ball says, ‘not fucking likely,’” Ada shoots back, but she’s smiling.
