The next couple of weeks are so busy that I don’t have time to even think of Cal. This time of year is pivotal for us securing Halloween and holiday parties. Our days consist of meetings and answering proposals and conference calls. It is exciting and exhausting, but Robert and I thrive on it. I usually don’t like to travel during the months of April and May or accept any new projects that aren’t close to our norm, but I cannot turn down the monthly featured news segment and the opportunities that might come from it. The added work has been a welcome distraction and has helped push my memories of Cal to the back burner of my mind.

Today was my last meeting with News Channel 3 before going live tomorrow with our first segment. We discussed the spring party concepts that I’ll be talking about and I brought over all the decor to go with each party concept. With Robert being out sick with a stomach bug, Layla was able to help me haul everything over to the studio and set it up.

“What are you going to wear tomorrow?” she asks as we load up my car to leave the studio for the day.

“No clue, and everything is tight on me right now.” I am so bloated from stress that my wardrobe has become limited. I’ve got to get back into the gym…and maybe wire my mouth shut during my stressful months, as chocolate and wine have been my comfort food as of late.

“Sounds to me like this is the best excuse to go shopping!” I nod in agreement and drive us to the closest mall to find the perfect on-air outfit. Shopping with Layla is always the best therapy, as we have a good time catching up and laughing at some of the outfits we try on. Three hours and five stores later, I have a new dress, shoes, and accessories. I treat her to dinner as a thank you for all of her help today.

“What are you going to do if Robert is too sick for tomorrow?” Layla asks as she takes a sip of her margarita.

“I can do it by myself, but I wanted him there and on camera with me since he’s my right-hand man.” So in love was he with the idea of being on television that he has had his outfit picked out three weeks ago. “It’s no big deal if he misses this first one. We’ll have two more trial runs, and if the feedback is good, then we’ll extend for a year.”

“Don’t you love how you put all this work in for only a five-minute segment? It’s almost like having sex. All that foreplay you have to go through for an orgasm that lasts only a minute.” We laugh out loud at her accurate analogy. “Cheers to that, and may we work hard for many more!” We clink our glasses together and drink.

“Maybe you’ll meet some hot news reporter or cameraman to start dating.”

I shrug, as the thought of dating anyone right now is as appealing as trying on a new bathing suit in my bloated state - torturous.

“Aren’t we supposed to be giving dating a second chance?” she asks as she checks out two men who walk past our table. I just smile and raise my eyebrows at her since she has been the more reluctant one.

“This is why no-strings-attached sex is easier.” She catches the eye of one of the guys she was checking out and gives him her best fuck me smile.

“It has its appeal, but even that gets lonely after a while.” I watch him salute her with his beer bottle and turn to say something to his friend who looks over at us. If Layla has her way, these guys will be making an appearance at our table soon.

“How have you been doing about the Cal situation?” She turns her attention back to me and looks me in the eye.

“There is no Cal situation. It is over and done with.” I break her eye contact, not wanting her to see that it has affected me more than I wanted it too.

“He just seemed so into you. I don’t know, I’m kind of shocked by his behavior.”

“Hard to truly know someone’s character in one week. He could be doing the same thing with someone new right at this very moment.” The thought makes me sick to my stomach. I look at my watch and see that it’s getting late. I have a big day tomorrow and I need to get a decent night’s sleep. I signal for the check from our waiter so we can leave.

“Jenna, I think we are about to have company.” She slowly smiles at the men making their way to our table.

“Not tonight, Layla. We are leaving. Together.” I sign the check and get up out of my seat. I grab both of our coats and hand hers to her. She stares at it and looks back at me.

“Come on, Jenna. These men might be our future dates.” I look over at them and see the glint in their eyes, the fakeness in their smiles. They are two sexual predators spotting their next conquests.

“These men only want to fuck, Layla, and you are NOT doing that tonight.” I stare at her until the men reach our table, daring her to defy me.

“Ladies, mind if we join you?” the taller one of the two asks and starts to pull out the empty seats at our table as if we said yes.

“Sorry, boys, but we were just leaving.” I grab hold of Layla’s hand and drag her to the door as she blows them a kiss and waves goodbye to them.

* * *

I wake up bright and early the next morning, my previous feelings of excitement now replaced with nervousness. I decide to take the day off of work and pamper myself with a massage and mani/pedi before reporting to the news station at four o’clock. I call Robert to see how he’s feeling, hoping that he’s better enough to make an appearance.

“The throw up has ceased, but the activity from my backside has not stopped. I’m so disgusted with the human body right about now.” I laugh despite the grossness of it all and tell him to stay home. “I really want to be there today, Jenna. I’m sorry! Forward the phones to me, as I can still work from home even if it might be while I am on the toilet.” He sounds miserable and I truly feel bad that he’s going to miss our debut on television.

“Don’t worry, Robert, there are going to be other chances for you to be on. Just feel better and don’t bring that crud anywhere near me.”

“There are no guarantees that I haven’t already gotten you sick. There, I warned you! I truly hope you don’t get this, as I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy. Well…. I might wish this upon my ex.” I’m happy to hear that, despite not feeling well, he hasn’t lost his humor. A sign that he is on the mend.

After I hang up with Robert, I go about my day of pampering and before I know it, it’s time to leave for the station. I get dressed and drive myself over there where I’m greeted by the sight of Layla waiting for me outside.

“You came!” I run up and hug her, so thankful that she was in town this week to be here with me.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world!” She follows me into the station, where we are escorted into a dressing room. I meet briefly with the entertainment reporter who’ll be introducing my segment, and we go through the questions she plans on asking so I’ll have my answers ready. With only having five minutes, we need to be on time with our cues and keep our answers short and to the point. After she leaves, hair and make-up artists come in and get me all dolled up. Between their work and the outfit Layla picked out for me, I look chic and professional. With my confidence soaring, I squash down my fears as we’re escorted to set and I stand at the indicated marker. I take a deep breath when the countdown begins and put a genuine smile on my face as the light on top of the camera turns red to indicate we are live.

Five minutes breezes by and before I know it, the segment is finished. As soon as the red light goes off, everyone starts clapping and my nervousness starts to subside.

“Great job, Jenna! I have a feeling we’re going to get very good feedback about this segment. I’ll schedule a conference call with you next week to discuss next month’s segment and the results we get in.” The producer shakes my hand and exits the studio.

“You were amazing!” Layla squeals as she hugs me tight. She helps me pack up my decor and we load it back into the car. Once that’s finished, we head to dinner to celebrate.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so happy that’s over with!” I laugh when we finally get seated.

“How do you feel about it all? You looked beautiful and you sounded so polished and smooth.”

“I actually feel really good and think it went great! I think the parties we chose had enough detail to grab the audience’s attention and make them curious on what to do next. They announced our website at the end, so we’ll analyze the online traffic tomorrow.” Robert made sure the page was updated with the new segment content by the time I was done. I cannot wait to see if those figures increased during the timeframe I was on.

I look down at my phone as congratulatory text messages come in from Robert, my parents and some other friends who saw the segment. I am on cloud nine right now and can’t believe how hard work can pay off with so many opportunities. I look over at Layla and grab her hand from the table.

“Thank you so much for being my best friend and caring enough to be here with me tonight. There’s no other person I would rather be celebrating with.” I squeeze her hand and lean over to kiss her cheek.

“Girl, I got my make-up professionally done tonight for you. Don’t waste my money by making me cry!” She smiles as she blinks the wetness from her eyes. “We need to make a toast!” We lift up the champagne flutes that she ordered and I smile in anticipation of the epic toast I know she is about to deliver.

“To you, boss babe! May your success continue to bring you much happiness, lots of money and more hot men to your bed!” From your lips to God’s ears, I pray, and laugh as we clink our glasses together in hopes the good wishes come true.