Chapter 15
I'm wiping down the counter for what feels like the millionth time when I hear the back door swing open. I brace myself for another round of verbal sparring with Matt, but to my surprise, it's Jen who walks in, all smiles and bouncy energy.
“Hey, girl,” she hollers, already moving in for a hug.
“Hi!” I say, genuinely happy to see her. It's been too long since we've worked together and had a chance to catch up.
As we pull apart, Jen's eyes are sparkling with that look she gets when she is fishing for gossip. “Why does it feel like it's been too long?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Because it has been. But how are you?”
She grins, raising an eyebrow in that 'I know you're deflecting' way of hers. “I'm good. How are you?”
“I'm good,” I say.
“Really?” she questions, her tone making it clear she's not buying it. “Because the last I knew you and Matt hated each other, and I'm surprised every time I walk in here when everything is still intact.”
I roll my eyes, but I can feel a smile tugging at my lips. “You and me both, but we control ourselves. We keep it professional.”
“Right,” she drawls, stretching out the word like it's made of elastic. “And how’s the law firm?”
I shrug, suddenly very interested in reorganizing the sugar packets. “It's fine.”
Jen's about to press further - because she can smell avoidance like a bloodhound - when the bell over the door chimes. Saved by the customer.
As I turn to take their order, I’m happy to be working with Jen. I glance over my shoulder and remember that she takes the orders and I’m the sandwich bitch. She’ll have to make it for this customer, and then we can switch roles.
A tiny piece of me is bummed that Matt isn’t here. I assumed he would ask me to the party again, and rejecting him is too much fun.
But that's ridiculous, right? I mean, this is what I wanted. Peace. Professionalism. I did not want him working here, and now I look forward to this job because of him? Damn, my mind needs to stop this.
I shake off the thought as the customer pays with cash. Math is like my second language, so I already know what change to give back.
I help Jen with making the order. My mind must be playing tricks on me. I mean I am tired. Yeah, that’s it. There's no way I could actually be missing Matt Pearson. That would be insane.
When the customers stop flowing in and all orders are out, Jen leans against the counter and says, “How are things really going with Matt?”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. “I guess I’ll spill the beans because I know you won’t stop, Miss Jennifer.”
She blushes, shrugging.
“Yeah, so I apologized to him.”
Her brows raise. “You apologized? About what?”
“About not being a fan.” I shrug. “You can imagine how good that made him feel.”
Her eyes widen with understanding. “What did he say?”
“Oh, he apologized for being a dick.”
“So, wait––you two are actually getting along?”
I nod.
“Wait. He apologized?” She laughs like she’s caught onto something. “Girl, have you seen what they say about him in the comments?”
“Comments?”
“TikTok?”
“Does it look like I’m on TikTok?”
She ignores me and continues, “He has a reputation. Like a total player. I’ve read some of the rumors on there, but I’ll keep those to myself. So the fact that he’s here, specifically asking to work with you and you guys cleared the air––I mean, come on.”
I shake my head. “You’re delusional.”
“This is Matthew Pearson.”
“Did you say that he asked to work with me?”
“Oh,” she stares off into space. “I didn’t say that, did I?”
“You did,” I nodding at her. “Now, you need to spill.”
“Nope,” she zips her mouth shut and throws away the key.
“Jen.”
She shakes her head.
“Jen!”
“Oh, look a customer is coming. I’ll take their order.”
Once the mini rush of people flow through, I turn to her.
She sighs dramatically. “Okay, you have to promise not to tell him I told you. I mean, do I have to say it? I’m sure you could put the pieces together, you’re a smart girl.”
I nod. “Mhm. I’ve put the pieces together. So, you’re guilty as charged?”
She winces. “That sounds horrible.” Now she’s shrugging. “Maybe.”
I roll my eyes and sigh. “You are such a simp, you know that?”
She scoffs, leaving her jaw on the ground. “I’m not a simp!”
I laugh. “You are totally a simp.”
She laughs too, realization dawning on her face. “Oh my God. I’m a simp.” She’s looking around the place, probably thinking about all the times she’s been thirsty for attention from the opposite sex. “Amber, you have to come to the party.”
“I’m not going to,” I sing.
“Amber!”
I look over at her.
“If he apologized for being a dick, and everything’s all good while you’re together. He invites you to a party, then use that beautiful head of yours and put these pieces together. You need to reconsider.”
I take that into consideration for a moment. Still not sold. I say, “I don’t think you’re right.”
Her lips press together while she shrugs. “Then come to the party and prove me wrong.”
The next day.
Riley: You have to go!
Riley: Are you fucking kidding me? Why would you tell him no!?
Riley: This is the perfect opportunity to see if this can go anywhere
Riley: I know you’re dying to know too
Riley: I ship this
Amber: Please calm down. I’m not going to go so
Riley: Fuck that. I’ll hop on a plane right now and force you to go
Amber: Are you serious?
Riley: Dead serious! You have to go!
Amber: You really think I should go?
Riley: Scroll up and read it again
Riley: YES!
Riley: You’re driving me fucking nuts. You’re so stubborn!
Riley: Even if nothing happens, I think you should go anyway and have some fun. It’s a college party for Christ’s sakes. Go hang out with people your age. Isn’t ‘fun’ the reason you took the random job in the first place?
Riley: Take the opportunity before you, even if it’s not perfect, saying yes will give you experiences you otherwise wouldn’t experience
Amber: Are you really feeding me my own cheesy high school quote?
Riley: You wrote it in my yearbook, and I won’t ever forget it.
Amber: I don’t trust that girl I was back then
Riley: We all make mistakes
Riley: And you apologized to him
Riley: AND he apologized back! What guy apologizes? So accept his invitation, go to the stupid party, and have some fun, kid
Amber: Don’t call me kid
Riley: Hahahahahaha
Riley: Wear that red dress
Amber: Omg hell no
Riley: Have fun!!!!!
I stare in the mirror, imagining myself in the red dress.
I bought it in high school and never ever wore it.
I always told Riley I'd wear it when I was in college and hot, but somehow, that moment never came. I walk to my closet and dig it out from the dusty side. I grab the hanger and cringe at how unprofessional I would look in it. It isn’t exactly me, but isn’t that the point of going to a party?
Wear something I’d never wear, do a few things I’d never do on a regular day, let loose, and have fun?
Before I can talk myself out of it, I'm dialing Jen's number.
“Oh my God, did you change your mind?” she answers, excited.
“I think so,” I admit. “Want to get ready at my place?”
Her squeal nearly deafens me. “Yeah, I’ll come over right now. This is going to be so much fun!”
As I hang up, I eye the red dress again.
It's now or never, Hughes. I’ll focus on my makeup for now and think about what I’m wearing later.
When Riley used to sleep over, we would try on all my dresses, apply red lipstick, and dance around like we were at a party.
Riley looked ten times better in the clothes than I did because she actually had lady parts back then. I barely had any.
When Jen walks through my bedroom door, she exhales, “There you are. I was terrified of welcoming myself into your house.”
I shrug. “Sorry. I have to concentrate on this liner or I’ll fuck it up. You okay?”
She closes the bedroom door behind her. “Yeah, I’m good. So, I’m thrilled you changed your mind. Is there any reason you decided to come at the very last minute?”
I’m on the floor as I glance up at her. “Boredom.”
“Okay, so you’re not really ready, and the party’s already started. You’re not wearing that, are you?”
“No.” I stand up and head for my closet. “I was hoping you could help me figure it out. I picked a few options.”
Her eyes light up when I pull out the red dress. “That one is going to knock Matt off his feet.”
I feel my cheeks heat up. “Who said anything about Matt?”
Jen gives me a look that says she's not fooled for a second. “As if you’re into Harvey or anyone else for that matter?”
I laugh, clutching the red dress. Two votes so far. I take it off the hanger. “Red dress it is. And to clarify, this has nothing to do with Matt.”
“Right,” she says dramatically. “Totally has nothing to do with him.”
“Your dress is hot too,” I say, looking at her upper thigh. “Are you wearing that for Harvey or yourself?”
“It’s actually a two-piece,” she corrects me. “And I’m wearing it for me.”
I laugh as she rolls her eyes. I say, “I’m glad we are both wearing it for nobody else.”
I put on the dress and it’s snug at my hips. “I don’t know.”
Jen's jaw drops. “Okay, you look hot!” She whistles appreciatively. “Still very sophisticated because that’s just your look, but this dress is adding in some spice, girl.”
The mirror is across the room, so I walk over to it and check the back. Yeah, it’s a lot more revealing than what I’m comfortable with. “I don’t know about this.”
“You can’t change,” Jen insists. “It looks really good.”
“Yeah, you and Riley agree.” I head back to my closet, pulling out my secret weapon. I waggle a flannel shirt on its hanger. “This will help.”
Jen laughs in disbelief. “You’re going to wear that over that?”
I nod, pulling it off the hanger. “Mhm. I sure am.” I put my arms through the sleeves. It covers my ass and my arms, providing a much-needed security blanket. “Perfect. Okay, I’m ready to go.”
She smiles. “Let’s go!”