“I’m still pissed at you,” Gretchen says as she stands outside of the swanky new bar we’re meeting at.
“Well, hello to you too,” I say laughing at her greeting.
She grabs me and pulls me into a hug. “I can’t stay mad at you. It’s not your fault you’re an idiot. I blame it on you living with Ashton for so long.”
I swear, only my friends.
“I resent that!” Ashton exclaims from behind me. “Maybe her stupid rubbed off on me.”
“Not likely,” she giggles and I wink at Ashton.
“Bitches,” Ashton grumbles from behind us as we walk on.
We enter the bar and the music squashes the remainder of their argument. It’s a beautiful, new building in the fashion district of Manhattan. I heard about it from a client last week and she got us on the list. She claimed it has the best drinks and hottest bartenders, which was all we needed to hear. I wanted to cancel because of the laundry list of things piling up. But they demanded this was not an optional invitation.
I take in the dark purples and blues, its robust color scheme giving a sexy yet elegant feel. I find myself moving my hips to the bass pumping through the room. But the music is so loud we’ll never be able to talk.
“Rooftop?” I ask when we notice it has a VIP rooftop bar.
They both nod and we head over to the bouncer who lets us pass with a smile. I’m wearing a black, strapless, tight dress with my hair down, Ashton’s boobs are barely covered, and Gretchen’s ass is hanging out. I’m shocked—or not. The three of us are dressed to the nines for our last night out.
Once we reach the bar, we find a couch that’s open and grab a seat.
“This is nice,” I say and pull my legs up under me while pulling my dress down.
“So, since you skated the question before, I’ll ask. Why did you go see Neil after Gretch said you shouldn’t?” Ashton asks.
She’s got to be kidding me. This is what she wants to talk about tonight? The good mood I was trying to hold on to evaporates.
“The suit never was filed, all is well in the world. Neil is gone. I think I’m much smarter than you give me credit for.” I cross my arms and lean back on the sofa.
“Bitchy much?” Gretchen replies and pokes me in the arm.
“Sorry,” I say softening my posture. “I’d much rather spend our night not talking about Neil. Plus, I’m beat.”
“Of course you are! You’re moving, you got promoted, you had a month to get it all done, and you broke up with Jackson. It’s been a busy few weeks,” she says with sympathy laced in her voice.
This is why I love her. She’s the ying to Ashton’s yang. When one is hard the other is soft. Good cop/bad cop. But they always seem to tell me what I need to hear. I may not like it, but it’s always said with love.
“What are we drinking? It’s on me tonight.” Gretchen smiles and Ashton whoops, allowing the Neil subject to drop.
We order our drinks and I opt for a glass of wine. If I drink too much, I’ll be asleep in the chair. Ashton however is taking full advantage of Gretchen’s offer to pay. They’re laughing and I’m mostly laughing at them.
“Are we going to talk about Jackson now?” Ashton pipes in.
“Are you trying to piss me off tonight?”
“Better to be pissed off than pissed on,” she retorts.
“I’d rather not be either right now,” I say, hoping she’ll drop this too.
I long for him every night. I’ve slept with a pillow clutched in my arms just to have something to hold on to. I’ve cried, thrown things, and memorized that piece of paper to feel close to him.
“Well, I think we should. You’ve been avoiding saying shit to either of us.” She looks as Gretchen for support, who just nods.
I ask myself every day if this job is something worth throwing it away for, but the doubt and lies bring back my resolve. There’s no reason for him to have kept this from me, and it leads me to believe there are far deeper secrets he has buried. Then I’m reminded of Piper and how even she knew.
I embrace the rage bubbling up, shoving away the doubt.
“I’m not willing to talk about Jackson, but you two are more than welcome to.” I grab my wine and sip it, suddenly wishing it was something stronger.
Sitting here ignoring the two of them, a heavy feeling settles over me. It’s hard to breathe and my chest is heaving. All of the energy shifts—it’s the same sensation I have whenever Jackson’s around. I look around for him as if he’s suddenly going to appear. We’ve never been to this bar, so there’s no reason to think he’s here, but I feel as if someone’s watching me. Scanning the area, I don’t see him or anyone I know.
Ashton snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Catherine.”
“Sorry, I thought someone was here.”
“I can call him if you want,” she says smirking.
My jaw drops as I process what she says. “Seriously?”
Gretchen shifts and taps Ashton’s arm. “Enough, Ashton. Okay, let’s talk about how I met someone.”
Immediately, Ash and I start asking a million questions about the new guy. Gretchen doesn’t date. Her job demands her time and she never wanted to put herself through the arguments that come with having to work. My heart is full for her. She deserves love and happiness. Work won’t fulfill her forever.
After another round of drinks, Ashton turns her attention back to me. “Okay, I know you don’t want to talk about him, so let’s talk about how you’re about to take over the world with your bad ass self.”
“Are you getting excited?” Gretchen asks.
“Yeah, I really am. I’m going to miss you guys, don’t get me wrong, but the idea of running an office and getting this opportunity …” I shrug trying to downplay my emotions.
Gretchen smiles, “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thanks. The apartment I found is really amazing. It’s a little further away from L.A. than I wanted. It’s in San Clemente, but it’s close to the beach.” I start to let the excitement build. My company believed in me and I’m definitely the youngest in CJJ to ever head an office. Even Sean, who helped start the company, pointed out my age. He said they have absolute confidence I’ll be up to the task.
“It sucks that even being here—on an island—we never go to the beach. And when we have two feet of snow you’ll be in a bathing suit.”
I feign sympathy. “Yeah, that’s really going to suck,” I pause, “For you.”
Ashton slaps my arm and we all start to laugh. It feels good talking with them about everything and allowing myself to really be happy about this opportunity.
“What about your dad’s house. Did it sell?” Gretchen asks.
“The realtor said the buyer is good to go and we’re going to close the day after the memorial.”
“You’re going?” Ashton’s eyes widen in shock.
I’ve gone back and forth over the right thing to do. I could skip it but I promised Jackson a while ago, and I promised Natalie. While Natalie might understand, I won’t do that to her. It took her this long to do the memorial, so I’m not about to cause any undue stress. We spoke the other day and she sent me pictures of her gorgeous daughter. She said they’d both really like to meet me. So, I’ll go.
Biting my lip I look at them both. “I have to. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to get through it but I’m going.”
“I’ll go with you,” Ashton says without question.
“Really?” I ask, unsure if she really wants to be there since she never met Aaron or Natalie.
“Of course, Cat. You’re going to need me more than you think. You’ll see Jackson. You’ll be around his friends. I think you’ve been great at pretending when you don’t have to deal with him. In person though …” She trails off and I suddenly feel nauseous.
My eyes prick when I think about how much this is going to be hard for everyone. “What if he doesn’t want me there?”
“It doesn’t matter. I do think you should talk to him beforehand though.”
That’s the last thing I want to do. They’re watching me, but I don’t respond. My heart says to call, but my head says no. The hairs on the back of my neck raise and I glance around again.
“Why do you keep scanning the crowd?” Gretchen asks looking around.
“I keep getting the feeling I’m being watched.”
Ashton stands up and looks around.
“Sit down!” I exclaim and pull on her arm. “I’m probably being silly.”
“Or G.I. Joe decided he’s tired of being shut out and is coming to get his girl.” She leans back with a shit-eating grin, piercing me with her blue eyes.
“Fuck off, Ash. Do you want me angry at you? I’m leaving for California. Even if I could go back to him, it wouldn’t work. I’m not about to enter into a long distance relationship that already has issues. Christ, let it go!” I storm off and head to the bathroom before she can reply.
I look up at the mirror and attempt to fix my makeup before going back out there. I know I lost it on her, but I’m tired of everyone and their unsolicited advice. What ever happened to being supportive?
The door opens and a pretty blond enters smiling. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her.
Before I can give it too much thought, Gretchen enters. “Cat,” she says sympathetically, “You know how she is.”
“Yes, I do.” I sigh and my head falls back. I get why she’s acting like a bitch, but I wish she’d cry it out and move on. “I’m tired, Gretch. I wanted our last night together to be fun, and I don’t want to fight. Between work and the move I just want a night to myself. Will you hate me if I head home?”
“Of course not! I’m sure you’re exhausted. Promise me you’ll find a way to see me once more before you go.”
“I’ll do my best.” I wrap my arms around Gretchen and she kisses my cheek.
“We’re being silly girls. But I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you more.”
She smiles and gives me another hug, “Oh, I meant to tell you … my lawyer friend, who was going to take on Neil’s case, called me. She said since he got back the property he was looking for he no longer needed her.”
“Yeah, I think it was really about money.”
“I think so too … anyway, I’m going to come see you, and you’ll come back and visit.”
“You better,” I reply.
Gretchen laughs and grabs my hand. “Let’s go, I gotta pay Ashton’s insane tab.”
We head back out to the seating area and get Ashton. When I turn around to leave, I stop dead in my tracks. Across the room is the figure of a man I’d know anywhere.
“Oh my God!” I grab Ashton’s arm and pull her down.
“What?” she asks looking around to find whatever I’m hiding from.
I keep my head low and try to point to the man making out with the blond from the bathroom. “Look, it’s Neil.”
She looks and when she spots him, her hand clasps over her mouth and she starts laughing. “Funny, that’s not his slut of a girlfriend.”
I sit there shell shocked watching him with another woman—who is not Piper. Then it clicks when I see her profile. She’s the reporter, Linda, from Raven’s press conference. It seems Neil has moved on to one of Piper’s friends. My lips turn up at this very interesting turn of events. “Well, this is quite entertaining,” I laugh and Ashton snorts.
Pulling my phone out, I snap a few photos of the happy couple. When he turns his head I have the perfect shot.
We sneak out and catch up with Gretchen, showing her the photos. “Well, if the dickface decides to come after you again, we have leverage.” She winks at me.
Who thought we’d be here laughing at the fact that he’s once again kissing someone else and I had to see it. Last time it destroyed my world, this time I couldn’t care less. He has no hold on me and it feels fantastic.
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Neil.
I head home as Ash and Gretch continue to another bar. As much as I’d love to go to sleep there’s one task I need to handle before I collapse. I need to hire an assistant before I get on that plane. Grabbing the folder of resumes, I thumb for the one I set up to speak to today.
I grab my phone and call. “Hi, is Tristan there?” I ask into the receiver as I walk around my empty room.
Thankfully, this is the last of the interviews I need to do over the phone before I arrive in California. Tristan is the one candidate I’m most excited about interviewing. He has some executive assistant experience along with acting and public speaking.
“This is.” His deep voice is gruff and sexy.
Well, hello there. Now that’s a voice I could listen to all day.
“This is Catherine Pope from CJJ Public Relations. We emailed and I informed you I’d be calling regarding your application for the assistant position.”
“Yes, hi!” Tristan exclaims as he perks up a bit. “I’m very excited about the office opening and was waiting for your call.”
“Your resume was great and I’d like to go over a few things.” I grab my notepad and sit on the floor. “Is now a good time?”
“Yes, Ms. Pope. Definitely.” Tristan’s voice is warm yet rough. It reminds me of another man, but I shut that thought process down quickly.
“Can you tell me a bit about yourself and why you’re looking to make a move?”
Tristan and I spend almost an hour going over the job, expectations, and possibilities the company has for him. I have a great feeling about him. He’s easygoing, articulate, and has a good background for the job. Honestly, he’d be fabulous as a publicist, but for now he’d like to learn as much as he can from me. As long as his references check out, I’ll have myself an assistant.
Feeling good about where we leave off, I lie in my bed hoping I can fall asleep, mentally running over the goodbye with my mother tomorrow and the last minute stuff at my dad’s house.