Page 97 of Pure Recklessness

Woohoo! Congrats! I’m in. See you in a mo!

I picked up my purse along with two little gift bags I’d brought with me and headed straight to the cafeteria. As well as grabbing a sandwich for my late lunch, I got Dana and Joe a coffee and a muffin. Good news always called for cake. Then I found an empty booth at the back of the canteen in the corner.

Just as I sat down, I saw Joe and Dana come in and waved.

‘Thanks for the coffee and cake,’ Dana said.

‘You’re a star!’ Joe added.

‘No problem. It’s the least I can do considering all your help with the awards.’

‘It was an absolute pleasure!’ Joe said.

‘I got you these too.’ I handed them the gift bags. ‘It’s nothing much.’

‘Oh my God!’ Dana said. ‘I love the mug and I adore Percy Pig! Thank you.’

‘Awww, sweetie! This is so sweet and totally accurate!’ He chuckled, pointing at the ‘Absolute Legend’ message on the front of the mug. ‘You didn’t have to get us anything.’

‘It’s just something small.’ I shrugged. ‘I just wanted you both to know how much I appreciate your kindness. Now tell us your news!’

‘I just got promoted!’ He beamed.

‘That’s amazing!’ I cheered.

‘Yes!’ Dana clapped. ‘Congrats! I’m so glad you went for it!’.

‘Me too!’ Joe said. ‘Just shows that if you want something, you have to go for it.’

‘Am I missing something?’ My forehead creased.

‘I’ve been an Events Executive for years, but really wanted to become an Events Manager. So I’ve been working my butt off to prove myself, hoping that my boss would notice and give me the role. But it wasn’t happening. So Dana told me to tell him what I wanted and why I deserved it. And it worked!’

‘Wow,’ I said.

‘I mean, I’m making it sound easier than it was, but that’s the short version.’

‘Weren’t you afraid you’d get rejected?’ I asked.

‘Course! But no risk, no reward, right?’

‘Exactly!’ Dana added. ‘Better to try than to live life with regrets.’

My stomach tensed. Their words struck a nerve.

‘Do you think that’s true for personal things too?’ I blurted out.

‘Absolutely!’ Dana added. ‘Why?’

‘Because…’ Shit. I hadn’t meant to talk to them about this. But I could really use their advice. I wouldn’t name names obviously. ‘Because, I sort of had a connection with someone at the awards…’ My voice trailed off.

‘What?’ Dana’s eyes popped.

‘I knew it!’ Joe clapped excitedly.

‘When? What happened?’

‘You two were busy…’ I said vaguely. After the awards there was a party so there were moments when we were separated. They both got talking to guys they fancied and when I saw that Mr Devlin had left, I texted them to say I’d be heading home soon. ‘But he’s older and is worried about taking advantage of me.’