Page 16 of Lucky 22

“He doesn’t have an accent,” I clarify. Even now, I canstill hear his voice: rich, steady, and husky in all the right ways. I can’twait to hear it again. “He just…he sounds kind.”

I don’t think I’ve ever thought about anyone’s voice before,unless it involves singing, but something about Christian’s seems nice. And I’dbe lying if I didn’t add—hot.

Ugh. I seriously have it bad. I hope I’m not building thingsup too much in my head. It would be a real bummer if we didn’t connect afterall of this. And there is nothing worse than sitting through a bad date whenall you want to do is pack up and go home.

There’s finally a lull in the conversation, so I quicklytake a bite of my lunch. Sweet ginger dressing, crispy goodness. I sighhappily.

“Do you know what you’re going to talk about tonight?” Pennyasks. “Do you think he’s only going to want to talk about baseball? Or thathe’ll want to know all the famous people you’ve worked with?”

I hold up my finger so I can finish chewing. At this rate, Imay never finish my salad.

“I really haven’t thought about it. I’m hoping we won’t onlytalk about our careers. Personally, I’m very curious about what his life islike when he’s not on the field. And, you know, he’s famous, so Iseriously doubt he’s going to be impressed by anything I’ve done so far.”

“Okay, but that’s like…sports famous,” Penny reasons. “Idon’t think it’s the same.”

I disagree. If anything, I’m pretty sure he’s been aroundway more famous people than I have.

“Have you gone online and looked him up? You can probably findout everything about him before you go. This way, you’ll have some guaranteedconversation starters.” Freya looks at all of us. “What? That’s what I’d do.”

“Believe it or not, I haven’t. I don’t want to read aboutChristian because we all know you can’t trust everything you read online. WhenI meet him tonight, I want it to be authentic, you know? I don’t want to gointo this with random facts or preconceived notions. Is that weird?”

By the way they’re all looking at me, it is.

“Don’t be upset, but I looked him up,” Jen says as she picksup her drink. “And I won’t say anything except that he seems like a genuinelynice guy. A decent human being. And from everything I’ve read, I can see thisbeing a thing.”

“A thing?” I ask. “Like…me and Christian?”

“Uh-huh. But, like I said, I’m not going to say anything tosway you in any direction. Just know this all has my seal of approval.”

She’s grinning, so I know she’s teasing, but deep down, Ikind of love that she did the digging. Jen may say she won’t share what shefound, but I know she would have told me right away if there were any redflags. The fact that she’s been quiet tells me that Christian Lucas is one ofthe good guys.

I know my bestie would never let me down or allow me to goout with a creep, so I’m feeling even better about tonight.

But first, lunch.

“Jen, tell the girls whose hair and makeup you’re doing thisweekend,” I say, hoping to shift the subject from me to someone else for a fewminutes.

Luckily, it works, and I listen as she enthusiasticallytells us all about the up-and-coming actress she’ll be working with.

I am seriously happy for my friend. And so proud of her. Icall myself Jen’s hype friend, and she is mine. She works incredibly hard, andI never realized how challenging both our careers can be. I’m out therehustling to find roles, and she’s doing the same to find clients. She works ata salon, but I know her dream is to have a place of her own someday.

I happily munch on my salad and smile at how we all hype oneanother up.

This is a good group.

Some days, I let my guard down and truly embrace the circleof friends I have. I was bullied as a kid, and I know what it feels like to belonely. I met some good girlfriends in middle and high school, but I barelyknew anyone when I moved to LA and had to start all over again. But as I sithere on my birthday, I realize that one of the best gifts I ever received isthe women sitting around this table with me. They are true friends, and I’m sograteful.

The owner of the café, a lady named Gwen who’s the sweetest,appears. Clearly, she knows it’s my birthday, because she’s carrying a platewith a giant cupcake topped by a candle.

“Hey, Ella, we have a special birthday treat for you. Ibaked them fresh this morning. Here’s one of my famous chocolate cupcakes,” shesays, looking for a spot to put it down.

“Hang on.” Jen wipes her mouth. “I’m done with my lunch.Let’s move some plates.”

Everyone joins in, and I’m glad I’m nearly finished with mysalad. I’ll gladly skip the rest in favor of a cupcake. I don’t know why, butcupcakes make me ridiculously happy.

Christian still doesn’t know it’s my birthday, so there’slikely zero chance of more cake tonight.

Once everything is cleared, Gwen puts the cupcake down andlights the candles as my friends all sing “Happy Birthday” to me.