I was taking a sick day. By sick day, I meant I was hiding out at Oliver’s house while he was still on vacation and I was avoiding all calls from a certain sexy billionaire.

I felt like a coward, but that was understandable because I was a coward. I didn’t want to go to work because I was sure I’d run into Magnus there.

He had called me over and over while I was in the car with the driver. I’d ignored the calls, but then I started getting text messages. Most of them wanted to know what was wrong, where I was and what was going on. I answered none of them and promptly deleted all the voicemails.

When I’d arrived home, I received another text that said, “Please respond. I just want to make sure you’re ok.”

The text made me feel instantly guilty, so I responded with: “I’m fine. Just got home.”

He texted me again. “Why did you leave?”

I pointedly ignored that text.

I’d felt grumpy and confused this morning, so I’d been ecstatic when Violet texted me asking me if I had plans today. I had said no, and so she and I agreed to meet at Oliver’s house.

She came trekking up Oliver’s property fanning herself and breathing heavily. For some reason that no one knew or understood, Oliver did not allow other people’s cars on his property. He was a quirky old man, so we didn’t understand his reasoning for most of the things he did.

Violet was wearing a white mini dress and sneakers. She looked adorable. If I walked around in a mini dress and sneakers, I would look like a fashion disaster. She stopped fanning herself and gave me a huge smile when she spotted me.

“What’s up, buddy?” she said making me smile.

“Hey there... sorry for the hike.” I stood up to meet her.

“Whatever, it’s like being Cinderella or whichever the rich one was. This place is freaking amazing. I can’t believe I’m hanging out at a billionaire’s house. This is freaking awesome.”

Her excitement was contagious as she asked me to show her around. We went from room to room with her gasping, oohing and ahhing, and taking selfies in various rooms of the house. I just hoped she didn’t put them on Facebook. I didn’t think Oliver would be ok with that.

We finally ended up back in one of the living rooms toward the back of Oliver’s house that overlooked the pool.

“Man, I never figured you for the type to skip out on work. Do you hate it?” she asked, catching me off guard again with her bluntness.

“No. I don’t hate it. I just needed a break.”

She sat down next to me and tossed her feet up on the coffee table that was probably more expensive than all my student loans combined.

“Is it one of those nonprofits where everyone thinks they work harder than the other person? And so everyone has some sort of savior complex?”

“No. Definitely not. They’re great. I love working there.”

She sighed. “I haven’t found a job yet. And I desperately need one. Mom and Dad are driving me crazy.” She looked at me with a hopeful expression. “Do you think maybe you could put in a good word for me at your job... maybe they might be interested in hiring me?”

“Of course. I meant to do that ages ago, but I got… distracted.” I didn’t tell her that the distraction had been in the form of a certain very good-looking billionaire.

She smiled brightly, “Thanks, Les. I’d really appreciate it.”

We spent the rest of the day lounging around Oliver’s pool. It was nice having a friend to talk to about nothing of importance. I hadn’t made any lasting friendships while in school and I realized that at that moment in my life, Violet was my only friend.

We were both silently sitting around daydreaming, just enjoying the weather, when she announced, “I heard on TV that Magnus Deacon is in town.”

I wrinkled my nose. It was like I just couldn’t win. “Really?”

“Yeah. I heard he’s in town for some charity event. You do know who Magnus Deacon is, right?”

“Of course, I do.” I grudgingly added, “We’ve met.”

“No way… what?” she sputtered, sitting up dramatically. She ripped her sunglasses off. “You met Magnus Deacon and you didn’t tell me? How? Where? Oh my gosh, is he as sexy in person as he is on television?”

I shrugged and tried to appear nonchalant as I underplayed just how sexy Magnus was. “I guess he’s alright looking.”

She looked at me incredulously. “Alright looking? The man looks like a Greek god. He’s tall, sexy, beautiful eyes... beautiful teeth.”

“Beautiful teeth?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, he does have a great smile,” I said, not noticing until that moment that the thought of his smile made me smile as well.

“Tell me everything. How did you meet him? Is he charming? No, no, most importantly, is he single?”

“Uhh...” I didn’t know how to answer that without sounding like a crazy jealous stalker. What was I supposed to say? He’s single, but hands off? I thought I didn’t care about who Magnus dated, but jealousy reared its ugly head when I thought about him dating someone other than me. Especially when that someone was a person I considered a friend. I inwardly groaned at how conflicted my feelings for Magnus were: I didn’t want to date him, but I didn’t want anyone else to have him either. Great. That was so illogical.

“Come on, come on, tell me everything. I’m practically salivating over here. It’s not every day that you realize you know someone who knows not one but two billionaires and one of them is a really hot, eligible, tasty, billionaire.”

“Tasty?” I laughed at the description. I couldn’t help myself from thinking: Sex with Magnus had been pretty incredible, but tasty definitely was not an adjective I’d use to describe him.

Violet smacked her lips together. “Yes, tasty. Do you know all the things I would do to that man? Girl, one night with me and he would have to limp to work.” I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. And she began to laugh too.

“Oh my gosh, you are so ridiculous. I mean that in a nice way. I hope you get hired. I have a coworker named Maya and I think you two would really hit it off.”

“I’m sure Maya’s great, but tell me more about Magnus Deacon. How did you meet him? Is he a friend of Mr. Oliver’s?”

I nodded. “I think so. I’m not too sure of their relationship, but I know that they know each other. I actually met Magnus at work.”

“What?” her eyes became huge again.

“You know that charity event you heard about in the news? Well, Ophelia’s Angels is that charity.”

“No. You’re joking?” She could barely contain herself. “Are you working with him?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. Just wow. That is so cool. Can you introduce us?” she said, suddenly grabbing my arm. “It would make Steve so jealous if he saw me in the tabloids with Magnus Deacon.”

“I guess I could. He doesn’t really work with us, he just comes in and out. I’m sort of his partner for the show Brain Pain.” I explained to her about the charity event and how Magnus was involved.

“I need to hang out with you more often. You’re like the luckiest girl I know.”

“I wouldn’t say that exactly.”

“I would. Now tell me everything. What’s he like?”

I shrugged. “Nice, I guess.”

She looked at me as if I had no clue what I was talking about. “Nice, that’s all? Nice is the word I use to describe the mailman. Come on, what’s he really like?” She emphasized the word ‘really’.

I thought about her question and then said, “He’s easy-going, patient, a genuinely good guy. He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. He’s rich, but not arrogant. He’s good-looking, but doesn’t seem to care. He’s smart with a wry sense of humor. He’s observant, considerate. And persistent.” I smiled a little, thinking of the number of times he’d asked me out despite rejection after rejection.

She sighed and sat back in her chair. “He sounds perfect. Do you think he’s dating anyone?”

I instantly tensed up. Was she really interested in pursuing him? I felt uneasy about the idea, but I’d made it clear that I didn’t want anything to do with him on a personal level. Funny, I’d decided that after spending the evening getting to know him on a very, very personal level. But I was determined to pretend that night didn’t happen.

“I don’t think he’s dating anyone.” I definitely didn’t mention that he’d asked me out countless times. I didn’t feel like explaining to her or anyone else why I’d said no, but then again, I couldn’t even explain to myself why I’d said no. I didn’t know what my problem was, but I didn't want anyone else to think I was a complete basket case, either.

“Cool. So do you think you could introduce us?”

Now I wasn’t going to do that. I didn’t want to be with him, but I surely didn’t want a friend of mine to sneak in on my territory. I bit the inside of my cheek; I knew I was being unfair and I had no claim on Magnus and, of course, I wasn’t going to tell Violet that I’d slept with him, but I certainly wasn’t going to help her date him.

“I don’t know him all that well,” I lied. “I’m just his partner. But I’m sure you’ll meet him eventually if you’re hired. He pops up from time to time.” In my head, I was hoping the opposite. I was hoping he and Violet would never meet. He would take one look at her and forget I even existed. I was Plain Jane while Violet looked like a modern-day Marilyn Monroe. I didn’t know what I was feeling. I didn’t want him, but I didn’t want anyone else to have him either.

Who was I kidding? I did want him. Well, in a sexual sense. I didn’t want a relationship with him. Being in a relationship with a billionaire would be way too complicated, right? And complication wasn’t what I needed in my life. I wanted adventure, but not complications. I didn’t need Magnus.

But if that were true why did the idea of him and Violet together fill me with jealousy?

“Well, I hope to get to meet him.”

Before I could control myself, I blurted out, “He asked me out.” Wow, it’s amazing what a little jealousy will make you do, I thought to myself immediately regretting telling Violet. But hey, she didn’t know the full story... yet. I just needed to keep my mouth shut.

“Seriously? And you never said a word about it until just now. Are you freaking kidding me? When did this all happen? You should have told me about it ages ago.”

“It was no big deal. I turned him down.”

Her mouth literally fell open. “Are you insane?”

“What?”

“Are you insane?”

“I heard you the first time. Why are you questioning my sanity? What did I do?”

Violet narrowed her eyes at me. “What do you mean what did you do? You turned down Magnus Deacon. Magnus Deacon,” she repeated for emphasis.

I sighed, deeply regretting my sudden outburst. “I think I need a makeover,” I said in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

Violet called me out immediately. “Hey, hey, hey, don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not... I mean... just look at me and now look at you.”

She looked at her clothes and shrugged. “What? I mean, yeah, you could put on a little makeup and maybe wear clothes that actually fit... but you look fine.” Then she paused and gave me a disappointed look. “Don’t tell me you said no to Magnus Deacon, this state’s most eligible bachelor, because you’re insecure about your looks.”

“What? No! I’m not insecure. I’m just, well... look at me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you.”

I sighed. “I haven’t used lotion in about six months.”

“Yikes. Now that is a little much.”

“But seriously, Magnus Deacon isn’t my type.”

She looked at me dubiously. “You have a type?”

“Of course, I do.”

She crossed her arms. “Alright let’s hear it.”

I tried to come up with something but my mind went blank. “Umm... let’s just say, I do have a type and Magnus really doesn’t fall under that umbrella.”

“Got it. Rich. Sexy. Powerful. Not your type.”

“Right.”

“So I guess poor, unattractive, and powerless is more your speed?”

“Hey!”

I was offended, but I didn’t want to tell her that I felt Magnus was too far out of my league, not to mention out of my comfort zone, romantically. I was just an average girl from West Virginia. Magnus could pretty much chew me up and spit me out. Yeah, he was a nice guy, but that didn’t change the fact I was inexperienced and intimidated by his wealth. Not to mention, my experience with relationships was limited. I had just enough experience to lose my virginity, but that was about all. Before I’d slept with Magnus, I’d only slept with one other guy.

I’d had a boyfriend in graduate school, but I preferred to use that term loosely. He’d been a guy, but he hadn’t been much of a friend or lover. He’d been a bit of a dork. I hated how he chewed with his mouth full and his skills in the bedroom had been desperately lacking. I remember spending evenings online reading about sex to find a way to tell him how terrible he was and, in the end, we’d just broken up. He told me I was cold and inexperienced so it was my fault I hadn’t been satisfied. I knew he was wrong, but his words had still hurt.

“Can we talk about something else?” I didn’t want to dwell on my own insecurities.

“Like what?”

“How are your siblings doing? They must be glad to have you home.”

She looked sad for a moment. “They’re great, but being home is making me feel like a loser. And even worse my younger sister has been offered a job at NASA in Alabama.”

I laughed. “How is that bad news?”

“I’m the oldest! I should be the overachiever. Instead, my little sister is... Gosh, she sucks.”

I nudged Violet. “Be nice. You should be happy for her.”

She made a face and changed the subject. “So are you serious about that makeover?”

I nodded. “I would at least like to get some new clothes. Maybe something with some color and no holes.”

Violet nodded. “Good idea. Let’s do this.”

“You mean now?”

“You got other plans for today?”

“Nope.”

“Then let’s go.”

We took Violet’s car to the mall. I was taken by surprise when we arrived at the mall to find it full of people. It was completely unexpected especially since it was a weekday. I remember reading an article about how malls were closing down and disappearing around America. Apparently, those journalists or reporters didn’t get the memo: malls were still booming and even thriving in some areas.

“I haven’t hung out at a mall since, I don’t know, I was maybe fifteen.”

We made our way to the entrance of a large department store, one of the last of a dying breed.

“Same here,” Violet said. “Kids from my school would hang out here all the time, but I was rarely invited.”

Her comment made me pause. “Were you bullied in high school?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t bullied. Just ignored. Believe it or not, I sort of have trouble making friends. I don’t know why. I think I’m pretty great.”

Violet could be a little much and sometimes she said things that were totally off-the-wall cuckoo, but I thought she was cool and funny.

“I think other girls were just intimidated by my beauty,” she said matter-of-factly. She noticed the look on my face and immediately laughed.

“I was joking!” She sighed. “I pretty much struggled with my weight all my life. I wasn’t exactly what you would call hot in high school. I was still pretty outgoing, but being chubby definitely made me feel insecure at times. I think some of the kids picked up on that and were determined to make my life miserable by pretending that I just didn’t exist.”

I looked at her in surprise. “I’m sorry that happened to you. You look great now and I’m sure you were beautiful then, no matter your size.”

She smiled. “Thanks. That’s probably the nicest thing another woman has ever said to me. I appreciate that, but to maintain this figure I have to work out at least five days a week and watch what I eat. Carbs hate me, but I love them so much. It’s tough. The struggle is all too real.”

“That sucks.”

“Sure does. I was such a chubby teen. I loved cinnamon rolls... all the sugar and cinnamon on such a tasty treat. Yum,” she said, making me laugh. “But when college rolled around, I started taking nutrition classes and I discovered that I actually do like working out. Who would have known? And so the more weight I lost, the fewer clothes I wore,” she said with a giggle. “Body confidence is amaaazing,” she drawled, stretching out the word. “Like seriously, Les. Nothing feels better than being confident in your own skin. And I kind of wish you would realize that.”

“What?”

“Well, I noticed how you always try to cover your body up and try to blend in. It’s sort of like you’re afraid of being noticed.”

I opened my mouth to argue with her and then closed it. She was right. Who would have known Violet was so perceptive?

I decided to just deny the truth that Violet could easily see. “I’m not afraid of being noticed. I’m just modest, that’s all. There’s nothing wrong with that.” I knew my comment came out sounding a tad defensive. I did feel a little attacked, but only because her assessment was spot on.

“Hey, don’t bite my head off. I’m not saying you have to dress like me, but there’s nothing wrong with accepting your sexual side and even flaunting it a little.”

I blushed. If only she knew I had spent quite a bit of my evening accepting my sexual side and flaunting it all over Magnus. But maybe she was right.

“What exactly are you suggesting? Make out with random dudes and wear mini-skirts?”

“What? No. That’s totally my role in this friendship. I’m the slutty friend,” she joked.

Her comment made me laugh. “So what am I?”

“The smart and pretty friend who desperately needs a makeover or at least a good haircut and clothes from this decade.”

She had a point there. I was wearing a pair of shorts I used to wear in high school and the t-shirt was from some event I went to in college. And the sad part was that I’d changed into the clothes I currently had on to look “nice.” It was clear: I had no fashion sense.

“I always cut my hair at home,” was all I could think to say. “I think it comes out pretty good.”

She gasped and mockingly widened her eyes. “This has got to stop.”

I laughed again. Violet was hilarious. “Well, you win. New haircut and new clothes sound like a good idea.”

“Hallelujah. Follow me.”