Page 80 of Friendshipped
“Trevor, I was looking for you. Did you get my email from Craving Cowshed?”
“Yes. I just read it.”
“I’m not printing it. I think we can divert this by sending the reader a gift card for a free meal at the Cowshed and posting how we appreciate all the various opinions of the restaurant we’ve had coming in.”
“Are you talking hush money?” I joke.
Jeanette’s face goes stiff. I forgot she lacks a sense of humor.
“I was joking, Jeanette. If you think that’s best, let’s go for it. I always know I’m going to possibly ruffle feathers or disturb the community when I write a not-so-glowing review. Honestly, though, those burgers were dry, and the fries were flavorless. It takes skill to make a fry that doesn’t even taste like anything.”
“I stand behind your piece on the Cowshed, Trevor. I ate there last year on my trip to Pennsylvania. I tossed half the burger and added salt to the fries to make them barely edible.”
She doesn’t say anything else. She turns and leaves the break room as briskly as she entered. I decide to celebrate with half a maple bar. It’s not easy to land a job reviewing restaurants. I basically lucked into this position when the old editor moved on to greener pastures. Having Jeanette field this complaint means job security.
I pop my head in Lexi’s cubicle on my way back to mine.
“How’s it going?” I ask.
“Good. Oh! You got the other half of my maple bar.”
I laugh. Of course, she was the one to tear the donut.
“What are you doing after work?” I ask.
“Sweats and a romance novel. You?”
“How about I cook for us? I was thinking Mongolian beef and fried rice.”
“Did you ever know me to turn down your cooking?”
“During the lettuce phase?”
“Ha! That doesn’t count. I lost my mind over the dating app.”
“Okay, so Chinese at my place it is. You can read aloud to me from your book.”
“Not happening. But nice try,” Lexi says with a blush.
I’ve been putting off calling Laura, even though I know I need to take action. Looking at Lexi right now, I know I have to do it. I rap my knuckles on her partition and walk across to grab my phone.
I step out into the empty hallway and dial Laura.
“Trevor?” she answers.
“Hey, Laura. I’ll get right to the point. I was talking to Rob the other day and he mentioned you might be able to help me.”
I hear her breath stall when I mention Rob’s name. I never did get the full story around their recent breakup, but it’s obvious they aren’t over one another.
“What do you need?” Laura asks.
I shuffle my feet and take a deep breath. My head falls back against the wall and I look up, searching for inner strength to say this. Once the words are out, there’s no taking them back.
“I’m in love with my best friend.”
“Duh,” Laura says as if we’re still in high school.
“What?”
