Page 49 of Semi Sweet
“Beth, I know it’s your birthday, but she’s been Evan free for mere days,” Max reminded her.
“I know, I know! But I’ve become invested in Olivia and that tall string bean we call a boss,” Beth mock despaired. “You and I both know a happy Sean makes for a happy workplace.”
“This is true,” Max admitted to me. “And he does seem a hell of a lot happier since you gave Evan the boot. Just saying.”
I didn't know how to react to such a forward question. I hoped one day the wall I’d built up because of Evan would crumble away, because it was tiring sometimes. It did seem like they wanted what was best for Sean, though, which I thought was nice. I smiled, thinking about how they had no idea Sean was happy because he had a roommate. Anything beyond that, I couldn’t say right now. The conversation ended when Sean finally joined the group at the table with a tray of drinks.
“Something fruity for the birthday girl.” He handed Beth something yellow with maraschino cherries on top.
“Something on the rocks for the man, here.” Sean placed an amber liquid with ice cubes in front of Max.
“Something lovely for the lady.” He gave me what looked like a Long Island Iced Tea before he grabbed the last drink from the tray. “And something for me.” It was a simple bottle of beer.
“To Beth!” He raised the beer skyward.
“To Beth!” the table chorused.
For a few minutes, we sat and watched a very drunk man sing a song by a popular girl group from the nineties. I couldn’t get over his confidence or his inability to sing in tune. The person after him was far better and slayed the country song she had chosen, even though it pained me slightly to admit it. I thought there was a rule about being only mediocre at best when it came to karaoke. I was probably going to make a fool of myself, buzzed or not.
“So what will you do now?” Beth asked, her expression far too serious for a birthday party.
“I’m actually starting an internship on Monday.” I took a large gulp of my drink to keep my nerves calm. “It’s in the field I actually want to work in.”
“No more corporate marketing?” Max asked.
“No more bakery shenanigans?” Beth pouted.
Once more, I took an ample drink. “I’d rather die and I’m afraid not. I am probably not welcome back at Cash Value Market for walking out on the heir of the company anyway.”
At one point it had seemed taboo and dangerous to even think such a thing. Now that I was free, I almost felt like saying it to anyone who would listen.
“Where are you staying?” Beth asked curiously.
Sean and I exchanged glances and I was thankful for the dim lighting that hid the red staining my cheeks. To an outsider, it probably looked like he was just as curious to know the answer as everyone else. I knew he was waiting to see how I was going to answer.
“One of my grad school friends is letting me crash on their couch.” As much as I wasn’t ashamed of my new living arrangement, I didn’t need the information accidentally getting back to Evan.
“That was really thoughtful of them,” Sean said.
I’d spent enough time around him now to know what he was up to. “It absolutely was. I make sure to thank them everyday.”
“You know, it’s a shame. You really should have invited them along. “
I downed the rest of my drink before I put it on the table slightly louder than intended. Beth and Max, who had been watching our odd exchange, jumped slightly with the noise. “Did you guys know that Sean isn’t a real person?”
The pair looked confused until the disk jockey called Beth’s name on the microphone. She squealed as she jumped off her bar stool. Max stared at her as she excitedly danced toward the corner of the bar before he heaved a sigh and whipped out his phone.
“I should probably record this.” He sauntered after her.
Now just the two of us, Sean leaned closer, looking like he was studying me. “Very smooth, Hale. Very smooth.”
“She’s very blunt. She already asked if we’ve...you know….” I made a suggestive gesture.
Sean was mid sip as he grimaced. “Doesn’t she know I’m a gentleman?”
I got the vibe he was still playing with me and he was saying it to me in addition to Beth.
“I don’t know. I did tell them what we did after the disco masquerade.”
