Chapter Seven
“Oh, my god, were you in a car accident or something?” Lucy sneeringly demands as I walk into the office.
I notice a gift basket of fruit on someone’s desk and briefly wonder how quickly I can rip the cellophane off it and start hurling tangelos at her head. My public service for the day could be knocking out some of her meanness, or just knocking her out. Either would work.
Sky hurries over to my desk, which is a feat in her current dominatrix footwear. “How did last night go?” Her expression indicates worry. I’m not sure if it’s the dark circles under my eyes or the fact that I’m wearing jeans, a white t-shirt, and my ratty old Converse. This is a new level of office casual even for me.
I don’t beat around the bush. “It was bad.” I hurry to add, “Let’s go next door for a latte and I’ll tell you all about it.”
As we head out the door, Frederic yells after us, “I hope you’re on your way home to change clothes. But on the off chance you’re going for coffee, grab me a mocha with a double shot, two stevia packets, and extra whipped cream.” The man drinks his coffee like a thirteen-year-old girl.
Once Sky and I are situated at a small table by the window at Grind Me, I tell her everything. She’s stunned into silence for several moments before squealing, “OMG, maybe you’re Jonathan’s match!”
“Yeah, no,” I tell her immediately. “Jonathan Silver is way too stuck up for me. I’m looking for a nice high school basketball coach or an accountant. You know, someone grounded in reality with no visible Hollywood gene.”
“You’re the one who always says, ‘keep an open mind.’” She does the whole air quotes thing.
“Yes, I do, but I’m also fairly certain that my clients aren’t initially repelled by their true love’s personality.”
“How do you know? You’re not around when they’re falling in love. You just put them in the right neighborhood.”
“True …” I drag the word as the reality of her statement sinks in. “But I’d know if the universe was trying to set me up with Jonathan.”
“How?”
“Our auras would have blended or something. Also, as soon as his laid claim to my place, my sense of ownership started to slip away. No, Sky, I’m supposed to move out and let him live there.”
She shrugs, unconvinced. “You’re the psychic. Where are you going to live?”
“I have no idea. I suppose I’ll have to start searching the multiple listings for my new place.” The thought of moving right now sort of overwhelms me. In my pie-in-the-sky fantasy world, I thought I’d stay put until I got married and moved into my dream house.
“Did you happen to get Steven’s card?” she asks, changing the subject.
“Crap, no, I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I was a bit distracted last night.”
“No worries. I just thought I’d ask.”
“I promise I’ll get it, Sky. Even if I don’t work with Jonathan, I’ll make sure to get his brother’s deets for you.”
She waves her hands. “That would be great, but if not, don’t worry about it. I probably wouldn’t call anyway.” Methinks she doth protest too much. I make a mental note that come hell or high water I’ll get her Steven Silver’s phone number.
Shifting gears back to my living situation, I ask, “Would you and Serena mind if I bunked with you while I look for my next place?”
“That’s a great idea! Oh, Em, think of the fun we’ll have, it’ll be like a slumber party.”
It would be fun. I love Sky like a sister and I really like Serena, as well. “I’ll pay rent, so you don’t have to worry about housing a freeloader.”
“You will not,” she declares adamantly. “You’ll be our guest. Wouldn’t it be fun if your dream house turns out to be in Pasadena, too?”
“I don’t know, Sky.” I grew up in Sierra Madre, which is only ten minutes north of Pasadena in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, yet I never considered living there. I do love it though. “Maybe,” I finally decide.
“I talked to Serena about our party, and she says that they can fit it in on Valentine’s Day, as long as we let her know before another job comes in. That only gives us five weeks to plan this thing.”
“Can we get the Castle Green on Valentine’s Day?” I ask.
“I have a call out, but I haven’t heard back. If not, maybe we can get the terrace at the Langham Hotel.”
“I’m not sure if I’m going to be much help planning,” I tell Sky. “Especially if I have to move out of my place.”
“I’ll take care of everything. The only thing I might ask your help with is picking the menu and the signature cocktail, but only if you have time.”
“Okay, let’s do it,” I say. “Just tell me what my part of it is and I’ll write you a check.”
Sky lets out an inelegant whoop of delight just as Lucy and Crenshaw walk in. They look over at us with obvious distaste before going to stand in line.
“I better go back to the office and get to work.” After all, Abril is ready to get moving.
“You want me to get Frederic’s mocha?” my friend asks.
“That would be great, thanks.” We stand up and hug. “Thanks for always having my back, Sky.”
“Girl, we’re like the Wonder Twins,” she says excitedly. “We’re going to have the best time together, I just know it.”
“Only if Jonathan believes me and buys my place,” I tell her. “As of nine forty-two last night, he did not seem sold on the idea.”
“Even if he’s not, I think you should move in with me. Then you can save more money for your dream house.”
“If he doesn’t go for it, I’m staying put,” I tell her. “I don’t need the upheaval of a move right now. There’s also the fact that living in Pasadena would add an hour to my commute, each way.”
“It’s only thirty minutes to the office if you travel at the right time.”
“At two forty-seven in the morning?” I joke.
“Anytime between midnight and three is good.” I don’t think she’s kidding.
Back at the office, I flip open my laptop and start working on homes for Abril. I feel like I can see the house in my mind’s eye. I just need to find out where it is and hope for a match. I decide to focus my energy helping someone who’s willing to do whatever it takes to find love and put Jonathan Silver out of my mind.