Page 71 of Trusting You
“Of course, Mom. But he got so mad about my interview, and I can’t understand it. I took the interview so I could build a life here, a life where I could be with him. I did this for him. I wanted to get settled into my career so that he and I could have a shot long-term.”
“Are you sure about that?” Damn my mom and her stupid perceptiveness. “Are you sure you aren’t just scared and grasping for security?”
“Of course I’m scared. But right now I have to get my life together. I have to figure out my career and my next steps. This interview is important, and I have to focus on that. I can’t be distracted by Liam right now.”
“So you’re not going to return any of his calls?”
“How do you know he’s called me?”
“Because you have your phone on vibrate, and I can hear it buzzing constantly. I know it can’t all be Nora. Give him a chance, Cecelia.”
I shook my head. I would not be returning any of his calls or texts today. I had to work things out for myself first.
39
Cecelia
My suit wasscratchy and my heels were pinching my feet. I hated this. I hated pantyhose. They were the work of the devil. I swear to God, pantyhose are an invention of the patriarchy intended to oppress women. Yes. I am so smart. This is a great idea. I should write a book about this. The feminist war against pantyhose.I got out my phone and started typing in my notes app so I would not forget this brilliant idea.
“Can I get you another?”
“Yes, Fran, you can. Please and thank you.”
Fran busied herself behind the bar, clearly stalling on pouring my next drink.
“I appreciate you, Fran. You are a feminist and a badass. And you make good drinks.”I love Fran. I love this bar. I wish Christian and Dante could make over my life. It would be like Havenport Queer Eye. They could probably fix my crazy hair and find me a job. And then they would talk to me about my deep-seated problems while gently building up my self-esteem. Ooh. I need to pitch this to them. I’ll put it in my notes app too.
Just as I was congratulating myself on my creative brilliance, I felt a cold burst of air as the door opened. Nora swept in looking enraged and wearing a bright purple wool coat and matching purple knee-high boots.
“Here you are! I have been looking all over for you.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you. Maggie is worried, your mom is worried. What happened today?” She sat on the barstool and shrugged off her coat. “Did the interview go badly?”
Fran finally returned with my refill. “No, it went well.” I took a huge gulp and it burned so good.
Nora and Fran exchanged looks.Weirdos.“Ok…so if it went well, why are you sitting here drinking whiskey alone in the middle of the afternoon in a powersuit?”
I turned on my barstool to face Nora and accidentally splashed some whiskey on my skirt. “Because I hate everything and I just want whiskey. I like the way it burns my esophagus on the way down like it’s mad that I actually drank it. Makes the rest of me hurt less.”
“Oh, Jesus.” Nora put her purse down and rolled up her sleeves. “Fran, can you get my dumbass friend a water, please?”
“Sure thing, Nora.” It was curious, Fran moved a lot faster to get what Nora asked for. I was beginning to feel outnumbered here.
“Cece. You are acting insane. What happened?”
“They offered me the job, on the spot.”
“Okay…”
“And I don’t want it,” I spat out. Just talking about this was making me mad again.
“Okay. Well, there are other jobs.”
“I mean, I do want it.” I hiccupped loudly and took another gulp of my whiskey. For the expensive stuff, it really tasted like burnt ass.
Nora gently took the glass out of my hand and slid it across the bar to Fran. “Okay. I’m not following.”
