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“Thank you,” I say, grateful for the ego boost.
Her heels click against the floor as we move closer to the bar. “You didn’t know a soul, moved to freaking New York City and snagged a job that had over a hundred applicants fresh outta college—which you paid for with a full merit scholarship.”
“I did, didn’t I?” I think back to all those long hours spent in the library while others were partying.
“You worked your ass off.” She stops talking only long enough to jokingly check out my rear end. “Well, what’s left of your ass after your breakup weight loss. I mean, you’re beautiful no matter what, but tonight you are looking extra, extra hot in gold. You’re sparkling like the damn sun.”
I glance down at the dress. “I lucked out finding this on sale at JCPenney’s.” A department store no one my age has ever been inside of, but my mom taught me a long time ago about shopping their clearance racks for events.
“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, your life has only just begun.” She holds up her glass to mine. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” I reply, clinking my glass to hers.
“Now chug!” She laughs.
We tip back our glasses, downing the sparkling liquid. The others greet us warmly as we press our way into the crowd at the bar. The alcohol and pep talk from Ava have loosened my tongue. I find Claire and we catch up on her holidays. It’s nice, this girl time.
The bartender hands out shot glasses. The liquid inside goes from a light yellow at the top, changing to orange, then deepening to a red that’s probably grenadine. I dump mine out into an empty glass on the bar while they’re busy tipping theirs back.
I don’t need to drink too much and have the waterworks start back up.
Claire leans in against me. “Let’s go clubbing after this. I wanna dance!”
Ava tugs my arm. “Yes! That would be so fun. I’ve heard about this new place in downtown Manhattan we’ve got to try.”
Is Claire… winking at Ava?
What are these two up to?
“I don’t know,” I say, glancing toward the exit. “I’m kinda tired. I was actually thinking about sneaking out. My pj’s and couch are calling me to come home and binge-watch Bridgerton again before the new season comes out.”
“You don’t need Lady Whistledown’s gossip to keep you entertained any longer. Trust me. You’re about to have a big city adventure of your own. And it starts TONIGHT.” Ava’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Come with me. Michael has a big surprise for you. Then we’re going to go shake our asses.”
“Surprise?” I look at Claire. “What is she talking about?”
Claire zips her smiling lips with a pinched thumb and finger.
I look from her to Ava. “Come on, guys. Tell me.” Neither one budges.
The gray cloud that’s hovered over me for months begins to dissipate. There’ve been whispers around the office about the senior team finally being ready to roll out the Bachman project.
The one that would require someone to go undercover.
A lifelong dream of mine.
My heart beats faster.
I couldn’t possibly be the journalist that Michael’s chosen… could I?
I mean, I have turned my breakup depression into a serious work frenzy. Sure, I can’t function when I’m home alone, making meals then forgetting about them, having to remind myself to shower, but once I step through the doors of that office?
I’m a machine. Putting in hours of intensive research. Working overtime. I’m a good writer. It could be me. Ava wanted that story so badly though. Surely she’s been buttering up Mike for months while I’ve been able to think of nothing other than Patrick.
Curiosity tickles the hairs at the back of my neck, making them stand on end. “Tell me.”
Ava grabs my hand in hers. “Can’t tell you, babe, just come with me.”
She pulls me over toward the group that’s forming in front of the stage. Mike stands center stage, spotlight on him in his unbuttoned, ill-fitting suit jacket as he adjusts the microphone.
