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Or am I? Julian deserves to be taken down a couple of notches.
His cocky grin reminds me of Jake. “I’m busy living my best single life.”
Liar.
“See you at the slot machines,” I tell Julian as he leaves.
I go back to my job search, staring at a resume for so long the individual words blur and run together. Julian spoke in jest, but he had a point. My successes stem from assisting others.
Sarah: Do you have a minute? I need a project idea. Someonewho needs help I can direct my energy towards.
Martin: …
Martin: …
Martin: An animal shelter? Give me time to think.
Welcome to my world. The phrase ‘Give me time to think’ will be etched on my gravestone when I die. Beneath it, in tiny letters, you’ll find ‘She died failing to think of something.’
Sarah: I’m going to do some research. Talk later.
My cell phone rings, and I send it to voicemail after seeing the name. One day, I’ll block Jake’s number.
My office line rings a minute later. “What do you want?” I ask in my best surly voice.
“Hey, Princess. I missed you in Atlanta last week.”
A pang of guilt pricks me. Jake’s team was penalized during the pre-race inspection, so officials had him start at the rear of the pack. It was an innocent mistake, but rules exist for a reason. He ended with a mediocre finish.
“I heard about your penalty. How do you feel?”
“It’s one race, not a big deal at all. Plenty of racing left in the season.” Jake sounds like he’s smiling into the phone. I would know because it’s a trick I employ.
That’s all true, yet I don’t quite believe him. “Even so, I hope Vegas goes better for you.”
“Are you free tonight? I want to see you,” he says.
“We’re not together,” I say.
“Message received. It’s not about that. This is business.”
Is he somehow able to read my mind? His timing is eerie.
I glance around my office for a hiding place or safe room. Everything still looks normal. “What kind of business?”
“Stop being suspicious,” he says, reading my mind again. “It’s for me. I need business advice from someone I trust who also knows the industry. There’s a project I’ve been working on, and taking it from an idea into action hasn’t gone well.”
“I’m intrigued.” Incredibly curious. Filled with wonder.
“You free for dinner tonight?”
We finalize plans and hang up.
It’s funny. This isn’t a date, yet we somehow chose a place filled with intimate booths and a dress code.
Should I be suspicious?
8-Sarah
