Extension
Sara
I’m sitting at McAvoy’s, waiting for my friends. Dante insisted on coming with. Even though we’re supposed to be safe now, it’s too soon for us to be separated. They still worry. I’m sure in time, our wounds will heal and I’ll be able to go places by myself.
Hopefully by the time school restarts. I don’t know how I’ll explain Dante to my teachers if he decides I’m not safe there. My own personal bodyguard? Besides, he needs to work. We have months, so I’m sure it won’t be a problem by then.
His hand rests on the back of my bar chair while we wait for my friends.
I toy with the straw in my water. I didn’t want to start drinking until everyone else got here. “What if it’s not the same?”
Dante’s cool eyes meet mine. “If what’s not the same?”
It’s not like I have the greatest track record when it comes to friends. In my heart I know Verity played her role perfectly, but she chose me for a reason. Madison, Hope, and Kayla aren’t Verity, but what if I’m wrong?
“How do I know they aren’t going to turn their backs on me?”
“Pip, you can’t let those girls in your past cloud your future. You aren’t that eighteen-year-old girl anymore.”
I let out a snort of disbelief.
He turns my chin so I look at him. “You’re stronger now. Even though you trusted the wrong person before, you’re still the loving, caring friend you’ve always been. You’re still you.”
My heart fills as his love shines through. Warmth floods my veins.
“They’re lucky to have you as a friend.” His thumb brushes the corner of my mouth. “We’re lucky to have your love.”
I wish the world would disappear like it used to, but I’m aware of every person in the bar. Where they are, how they’re moving, who they’re standing with. Things that used to be background noise seem to weigh heavily on my mind.
Dante rests his forehead against mine for a moment and I let him take over the vigilance, knowing he’ll keep me safe no matter what. My eyes close as his ocean scent sweeps over me.
He pulls away and the world rushes back in.
“Hope I’m not interrupting.” Madison’s voice is soft.
We both turn to look at her. Her blond hair is caught up in a bun and her outfit looks like she came straight from work. A pretty blouse and pencil skirt. Her blue eyes are filled with worry and relief.
I slip off the stool and she opens her arms as I step into her and hug her tight.
“I’m so glad they were able to resolve this without you getting hurt.” Madison’s words are said next to my ear.
“Me too.” I release my breath and pull away. “How have you been?”
Madison smiles softly. “Busy. Work is crazy right now. I had to promise I wouldn’t stay out too late tonight.”
Her cheeks flush pink as she smiles. I always knew what that meant, but I didn’t really appreciate it until I had my own guys. It’s Friday night and that means we’re all sleeping together in the big bed. When I meet Dante’s eyes, his smile is knowing.
My insides grow warm as I turn back to Madison. “Dante is going to stay until Hope gets here. I want to make sure Juliette has someone to translate for her.”
We take our stools at the bar. Dante nods to Madison when she smiles at him.
“How’s the mentorship going?” I ask.
“Deidre is amazing. I’m learning so much.” Madison stops to say Thank you as Jason slides a strawberry daiquiri in front of her. “And I’m still learning from our business as well. How’s your internship going with all that’s been happening?”
I blow out a breath and stare at the fairy lights around the bar. “I return to the office on Monday. They made me work from home until they could be sure nothing is going to happen at work.”
Madison nods and stirs her drink with her straw. “It took a while for the guys to feel safe with me in the office again. And our floor is practically a fortress. I hope next week goes well for you.”
“Me too. I’m ready to get on with the internship and get back to school to finish my degree.” My future is a little clearer than it was at the beginning of this summer.
“I’ve been talking with Deidre about you.” Madison lifts her gaze to mine. “And she thinks they might have a spot available for you in the accounting department when you graduate.”
My insides buzz. This is our goal. For all of us to work together and to have the necessary skills to start a business like Deidre’s.
“She knows you’ll have a master’s and she wants to have her CFO help mentor you starting this year if you have time.” Madison glances toward Dante before taking a sip of her drink.
I let that settle in. It’s a solid move. I glance back to Dante. He smiles and his thumb strokes along my back.
“You want a job, you have it with us, pip. But I get wanting to branch out. If your end goal is to work at a business and not an accounting firm, you should definitely seek out the mentorship.” Dante’s words are soft, for my ears only.
I love working with the guys and seeing them every day, but can I really imagine going to work with them after school?
I love my brother, but I don’t know that I want to spend every day working with him. The guys, yes, I’d love to see them all day, every day, but their company is their dream. Not mine.
I lean in and kiss him softly, resisting the urge to deepen it. When I back away, he smiles and nods. He knows me. He knows what I need to hear and how to help me decide.
I turn back to Madison. “What do I need to do?”
We talk for a few minutes and Madison gives me the contact information for the CFO, Cassie Brown.
Hope slides onto the stool on the other side of Madison. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I release my breath. Dante was right. These girls aren’t like the friends I had in the past. They’re so much more.
Madison fills her in on what Deidre said.
“That’s an amazing opportunity!” Hope says as Jason sets a daiquiri in front of her and me. “I’ve been looking for a mentor myself but haven’t really found someone I want to work with.”
Madison leans back in her chair, looking thoughtful. I try to think of any contacts I might have through school. Dante clears his throat and we turn to look at him.
“Depending on what position you’re looking at, we have quite a few clients that have women in executive positions who may be willing to mentor you.” His attention is on Hope, but when he finishes, he gives me a smile.
“Thank you.” Hope blushes as she looks down at her drink.
Dante pulls a card out and passes it to her. “Call me on Monday and we’ll talk about it.”
Hope nods as she puts his card in her pocket.
“I hope we’re not too late.” Kayla’s voice makes us turn in our chairs.
Nan’s next to her and they stand close even though they aren’t touching. I slide off my stool at the same time Dante does. He leans down and kisses my temple.
“I see someone I know over there. Let me know if you need me. Enjoy your friends.” Dante’s smile warms my heart as he heads across the bar.
Heath Duncan sits at the other end of the bar, talking to Jason, Hope’s brother.
Dante joins them and Heath greets him like he’s an old friend. Jason steps back.
“I know he’s prettier than me, but...”
I turn back at Kayla’s words. She’s grinning and opens her arms.
“Come on. I don’t bite unless asked.”
I shake my head as I step into Kayla’s embrace.
After a few seconds, she pushes me back to look me over like she’s checking for injuries. “You good?”
I breathe in and nod. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Kayla takes the seat Dante vacated as Nan gives me a hug.
Nan grins as we pull away from each other. “We have so much to talk about.”
I lift my eyebrows at her and she grins. We turn back to join the others when someone touches my elbow.
Juliette lifts a hand and waves as she looks around the bar warily.
“I’m so glad you could make it.” I get Hope’s attention and she slides down to stand in front of Juliette.
Hope speaks as she signs, “Hi, I’m Hope. I’m so excited to meet you. Sorry, I might be a little rusty.”
Juliette’s eyes light up, and when she signs at Hope, Hope translates, “It’s good to meet you too.”
Hope helps introduce Juliette to everyone. The bar is kind of crowded and noisy, but we make it work as we discuss work and personal lives.
Nan and Kayla share glances every now and then, but they don’t hold hands or touch each other. Juliette and Hope talk silently for a little bit using ASL while Madison and I talk about our future.
“So you’re all planning to work together in the future?” Nan asks.
Jason hands out fresh daiquiris and we all thank him.
“That’s the goal.” Madison breathes out. “Though I don’t know how I’ll feel when it comes time to leave Morrigan Technology.” She gives a small smile. “I like my living/working relationship. But I also know, to continue to grow I’ll need to move to a different job at some point.”
Kayla sighs. “Totally living the dream.”
“Isn’t one of her bosses your brother?” Nan asks with an arched eyebrow.
Kayla smirks. “Yeah, I could do without Blake being part of it, but man, am I surrounded by some lucky bitches.”
Madison laughs. “I’m okay with that.”
“Me too.” My cheeks heat as I catch Dante’s eyes across the bar.
Kayla shakes her head with a small smile. “Lucky bitches.”
Nan laughs. “You don’t need four guys to see to your every need.”
Kayla turns and they look at each other with a secret smile. For a second, it seems like they’re in their own world.
“I’m so single.” Hope sighs. Juliette signs and Hope says, “Juliette too.”
“I mean, I’m always open to a harem of women.” Kayla lifts her eyebrows and winks at Hope and Juliette. “If you don’t find your own harems.”
“Juliette says one guy would be plenty, thank you very much.” Hope laughs. “I’m all for a harem of men as devoted as yours are, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be skipped over as a lucky bitch.”
Kayla grabs her drink. “The right guy or guys will come along and snatch you up.”
“No one wants the nerdy, shy girl.” Hope smiles. “I’m sure eventually I’ll find a guy.”
“There must be someone we can set you up with.” I lean back in my chair. “Between the five of us, we have to know a guy who would love to take you out.”