“Whatever. You’re amazing and they noticed. You deserve it.”
Rebecca is the one who noticed. And how did I thank her? By ruining her relationship.
Since we’ve finished our bitching for the night, that little guilt trip will have to wait until next Wednesday.
“Honestly, the best part will be the job security.” Being a temp sucks. Not that you can’t get fired from any job, but being contracted puts your neck on the chopping block first.
“Not the paycheck?”
“That too.” Thanks to my raise, I can pay for this whole night andstillhave money for a nice lunch tomorrow.
Is this how normal people feel? The ones who didn’t spend their entire life savings paying off debt and then relocate on a whim?
It’s nice. Freeing.
I take my turn, knocking down four pins. We’re a long way off the other bowlers here, but at least we’ve reached double digits.
When I make it back to our table, Meg has traded the nachos for her beer. “So how’s the house hunting going?” Ever since she made Media Buyer six months ago, she’s been on the hunt for a place of her own.
“Not bad. I still haven’t found anything I love that’s within my price range, but it’s fun to look. You won’t believe how many people around here still have those lacy valances printed with roses.”
“I forgot about those. My mom was obsessed with them when I was in elementary school.” That and wallpaper. I’ve heard wallpaper is making a comeback, but I doubt it’s the kind with little apples or roosters printed on it.
“Mine too. They’re awful.”
They are awful. It’s a wonder my apartment doesn’t have them.
Meg heads over to our lane, ball in hand.
Maybe someday I’ll have enough money to buy a house. My mom would lose her mind. When I told her about the promotion, she advised me not to take it. Like turning down an extra twenty thousand dollars a year was even an option. My dad, on the other hand, congratulated me.
I’m learning to be content with a fifty-percent approval rating.
“You’re up, Great Pipes.”
I push to my feet, grab my ball, and bowl a freaking strike.
With my hands in the air, I whirl to see Meg standing on her chair shouting while Sally and Dave whoop from where they were flirting in front of the snack stand.
The other bowlers hoot and holler, one of them whistling so loudly the sound pierces my eardrum.
Now that the mess with my ex is behind me, maybe this really willbe my year.
CHAPTER 25
LOREN
MOM
How are things with Josh?
I skipup the stairs to my place, feeling rejuvenated and alive and, yes, a little buzzed, but mostly I feel as if anything is possible. Which is why, when I meet my neighbor on the landing, I smile and wave and seriously consider giving him a hug, because, why not? The world could use more hugs.
I don’t though, because Elliott is staring at my bowling shirt, his brow furrowed and a question in his eyes.
My new favorite shirt might be lucky. Unfortunately, I can’t be like those superstitious athletes and never wash it to keep the luck from rubbing off because the slice of pepperoni pizza I had at The Alley did me dirty.
He unlocks his door and tosses the bag he was carrying inside. “Hey there, Harry.”
