Page 31 of Love Undiscovered
Chapter 8
Remi
I get a text message just as I’m walking into my lab to run trials. I check it before going inside. The last thing I need are my ‘mean-girl’ male co-workers commenting on my taking personal calls and/or text messages during business hours. Not that it matters that they do the same. Working with them and their prima-donna attitudes every day is exhausting.
They don’t respect my work because I didn’t go to an Ivy League school, and they don’t believe I can produce the same quality results from my trials because I’m a woman. My job as a chemical engineer is demanding enough without taking shit from them. I’m on the cusp of a major breakthrough in developing an environmentally friendly way to repurpose non-biodegradable materials. And I am not letting anything get in my way until I do.
I look down at my phone screen and see that it’s Alex, asking me to call him when I get a chance. Which reminds me that I forgot to call him about setting each other up.
I hit the button to dial his number. He answers on the second ring,
“Hey, that was quick.”
“Yeah, you caught me as I was walking in to the lab so I figured I’d call you now rather than in another six to eight hours. I was going to call you today or tomorrow anyway.”
Obviously, I didn’t meet my challenge of talking to Alex before this last weekend, so I swore to the girls it would be early this week with a date set up for this weekend.
“Before you tell me why you were going to call me, let me tell you why I’m calling you.”
“Okay.”
This better be good, because I’m already annoyed with this whole game that Kat has forced me into with the double-blind date.
“I’ve got a guy I want you to meet,” he says.
“Excuse me?”
“I know, it’s weird, since we dated and all, but we’re friends now, and I think you’re a really great girl. And there’s this guy I think you would hit it off with.”
How is it that he is stealing my exact speech from me before I have a chance to give it?
“Uh, okay, sure,” I say. This will be easier than I thought if I let him think the whole thing was his idea. “So, do I get to introduce you to someone in return?”
“Oh, uh, sure. I guess turnabout is fair play.”
“Great,” I say. “How’s this weekend?”
“This weekend? Wow, you’re way more into this than I thought you would be.”
Dial it back Remi, you’re too eager.
“Oh, well, I just happen to have some free time available, so I figure, what the hell.”
“Okay, let me double check with my buddy and I’ll get back to you with a time and place to meet.”
“You got it,” I say. “Hey, Alex, thanks for thinking of me. After everything that happened with you and I, this is really nice of you.” Thinking that was very nice of him to do. Especially after I did a tap out in the middle of sex. Some people might consider that to be really rude and never speak to me again. In fact, some have.
“Yeah, same to you Remi, thanks. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Okay, see you Saturday.”
“See you Saturday.”
I send off a quick text to my Yoga instructor, Harley, asking her if she’s free on Saturday and why. Then walk into the lab, fully prepared to immerse myself in six hours of running trials on elemental breakdown analysis.
* * *
I meet my girls that night for dinner at our favorite place, The Crazy Burro, which has salty chips, spicy salsa, and the best margaritas in town. We meet here at least once a week, except when Kat is too sick, from cancer or treatment, to get together. But when that happens either Lexie or I, or both, are at her house with her. Brad too since the two have been back together.
