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But one more thing my sometimes friend was good at was being a brunch companion, and that Friday I woke up with a craving for eggs benedict. Wanting to thank her again for the tip about Nick anyway, I went ahead and invited Trish to a local brunch spot. She swept into the restaurant a vision in pink gingham. That was one of those fabrics that didn’t look like it would work on anybody over the age of five, yet in a sundress silhouette and paired with massive white sunglasses and a floppy hat, Trish pulled it off.
She giggled excitedly when she saw me and scurried across the room. Her hug and a cheerful peck on my cheek were full of more energy and theatrics than was really warranted at this time of day, but I smiled at her all the same.
I didn’t get a chance to even mention Nick before she launched into a story about the dates she went on that week. Trish wasn’t the type to relegate her dating activities only to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. That was far too limiting for her. We managed to get our orders in during a break between date descriptions, and she just kept on going.
I had to admit, it was entertaining to listen to. Even if it didn’t sound like an actual person’s life. I was most of the way through my coveted eggs benedict when my phone went off beside me.
I snatched the phone off the table and read it. The message from Nick was just as vague as the first time he asked to meet up. I told him I could come to his office again, then tucked the phone in my pocket. Trish was looking at me over the edge of her coffee cup in that wide-eyed way that said she was going to act like it didn’t bother her but was a little bit annoyed.
“It was Nick,” I said. “Nick Freeman.”
“Oh, Nick,” she said, wiggling a little in her seat and grinning at me. “You’re still talking to him.”
“I am,” I said. “I actually wanted to thank you again for recommending I get in touch with him. He has been really helpful.”
“Does he think he’s going to be able to do anything?” Trish asked.
“Yeah, actually. At least, there’s a possibility. Apparently, he has some history with the investor Justin went to.”
I gave her a basic explanation of what Nick told me, and Trish narrowed her eyes slightly.
“That’s a lot for one text message,” she said.
I shook my head. “It wasn’t all in that message. We had a meeting the other night.”
“Night?” Trish asked. “He stayed late at the office?”
“No, we actually went up to the bar.”
Trish started giggling, and I wished I just went along with a late-night visit to the office.
“Did you try anything?” she asked.
“Trish,” I said. “Seriously.”
“What? I would have.”
“I know you would have,” I said.
“Why not? I don’t exactly have the connections to be in a position to, but you should. If you can swing it, you definitely should try and hook up with Nick.”
“Come on,” I said.
“Come on, what? He’s rich and he is now the only one of the Freeman brothers who is still single. And have you seen the man? He’s gorgeous,” Trish said.
I looked at her across the table. She took a bite of her food, met eyes with me again, and nodded like she was emphasizing her point. I considered her briefly, wondering if maybe I should trade that “sometimes friend” for a “never friend” thing.
Trish rolled up a piece of pancake and dipped it into her coffee. When she pulled it out, part of it had fallen off, and she peered over the edge of the mug in search of it. I had to laugh. So, maybe I didn’t have to click the real-life unfriend button with Trish. She wasn’t harmful. Just sort of vapid. Sometimes there was a use for that.
“Here’s the thing. I literally just got out of a relationship with a man who stole from me. And not just a little bit, like he swiped some cash out of my wallet. He cleared out my inheritance from my mother so he could try to make money off it, then lost all of it. I’m not really in the mood for a new guy,” I said.
Trish shrugged and nodded, muttering under her breath. “He’s still gorgeous.”
“Tell me more about the project you’re working on. Is it going well?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
Trish worked for a nonprofit organization as a fundraising and event planner. For all the vapid personality traits she showed when she was just having a conversation, she was creative, brilliant, and sharp as a tack when it came to things like that. Her eyes lit up when I asked, and I settled in to finish my food while I listened to her elaborate plans.
