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“I just politely smiled, although I was dying inside, and said, ‘oh yeah, I thought you knew,’ and that was it. I didn’t know what else to say. I’m just glad I had the presence of mind to come up with a response. What if he completely remembers me now? I don’t know if I should say anything about it or not.”
“If he brings it up to you, I would just make a joke about it. Don’t let him know it embarrassed you. Pretend that it was a silly thing and try to minimize it as best you can. Guys like Austin Drew minimize stuff all the time, so give it right back to him,” Ali said, feeling confident about her advice.
Jane nodded her head, liking her sister’s advice. She didn’t want to make more of it than it deserved. It was more than 10 years ago and the truth was that high school hadn’t been easy for her when it came to guys, and this experience with Austin didn’t make it any easier.
“Besides, you’ve completely moved on from high school. Look at you now! You’re a boss bitch. You’re gorgeous. You’re successful. You’re doing what you were meant to do. You’re a freaking catch, who is now beating the guys away. I mean, nobody would believe you if you told them that you didn’t go to your senior prom because you didn’t have a date.”
Jane smiled, reaching over to touch her sister’s hand. “Remember Mom telling me that I should just go anyway with my head held high,” she smiled, thinking back. “You were one of the lucky ones with a date, but I had fun helping you get ready,” she winked. “And I don’t know if I’m exactly beating the guys away these days. It’s more like my job is beating them away. I hardly have time to see Mom and Dad, never mind fit in a full-time relationship with someone.”
Ali smiled, “It will happen when it’s supposed to happen, but first things first. Smooth over this situation with Austin. It’s been bothering you since he started working with you. He’s not worth it. Thinking about it gives it too much power. If it comes up just make it seem like it was no big deal. I mean, my God, Janie… you could bring it up to him and completely blindside him!” She laughed. “Own the experience, and flip it on him.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Jane answered, knowing that this might be the only way forward for her. “As much as I don’t want to bring it up, maybe it’s the best thing to do. I just don’t want him to feel like he has the upper hand with me.”
“And he won’t, so don’t worry. When’s the next time you have to deal with him?” Ali asked.
“First thing tomorrow morning,” Jane answered, as she rolled her eyes and fell back onto her bed.
“Well,” Ali said with a last piece of advice, “shock the shit out of him and have the upper hand.”
