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She rolls her eyes back. “Very.”
I revert to the third degree. “So, why did you come to New York?”
She swallows. “Needed a change. Needed to get away from my parents. I love them, but… You know.”
“I do.” And I really do. I’ve thought about getting away and starting fresh many times, but I can’t.
Two bites of the cake remain, and I push the plate her way. She inches it back.
“I could probably hook you up with a marketing job if you like.” I’m curious to see how she responds. She doesn’t seem the type who likes asking for favors, but she isn’t asking. I’m offering.
She reaches across the table and stabs the second-to-last bite of cake. Waves it back and forth. “You know someone who is hiring?”
“I do.”
She puts the cake in her mouth, closes her eyes and slowly drags the fork out. I’m aroused.
“My friend Tom’s company has an opening in the marketing department.” She has a crumb at the corner of her mouth that I wouldn’t mind licking off. “You want me to set up an interview?”
Tom will hire Amber sight unseen if I ask. Don’t think she would like that, though.
“That would be great.” She smiles and eyes the last of the cake.
I inch it back in her direction.
She grins.
I nod.
She takes it.
I reach under my jacket and pull a pen and tiny Moleskine notebook from the inside pocket. Tear off the back page and scribble down a number. Hand it to her. “This is Tom’s secretary’s number. Call her tomorrow, and she’ll set up an interview.”
Amber takes the paper and studies it like a rare coin. Her eyes mist over. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I put the pen and notebook away. “The rest is up to you, though.” I add the last part to make her feel better. Even if the interview doesn’t go well, the job is hers. She just needs to show up.
Amber puts the number in her purse.
I ask her, “I was wondering if you’d consider coming to my mother’s birthday party on Tuesday?”
She fidgets with her silverware and avoids eye contact. Then her mouth forms a firm line. “I don’t believe that’s a good idea. I’d probably embarrass you. We run in different circles.”
“Hey, listen. You could never embarrass me. In fact, you’d be doing me a favor. If you came posing as my girlfriend, my mother would stop trying to fix me up and start going after my brothers.” I widen my eyes. “You’d be helping me out.”
“Girlfriend?”
I don’t want her to pose as my girlfriend. I want her tobemy girlfriend in real life. She’d probably run for the hills if I told her that.
“Yes, girlfriend. Just pretend, though, okay?”
She looks at me like I’m a clown at a carnival. A proud moment for me.
“You don’t have to let me know right away,” I add. “Go home and sleep on it. Tell me tomorrow.”
She blows out some air and scans the area. She’s eyeing an exit.
“I’m sorry. I put you on the spot, didn’t I? Let’s just forget it.”
