Page 33 of Charlie
She shook her head. “Nope. I got close, but luckily, I woke up in time. These rings I bought myself.”
“Do you like jewelry?”
“I do. But I’m more about the sentimental value of it than some large bling diamond.”
“Okay, so what’s the story behind these rings?”
“Just after Miguel and I ended our relationship, I went on a girls’ trip with some of my friends. We all bought one of these in different colors. To me it symbolizes that love doesn’t have to be sexual. It’s such bullshit the way we’ve been taught that love only comes in a package of tall, dark, and handsome. Sometimes, love comes in a group of silly, flawed friends who laugh too loud, drink too much, but who will drop anything when you’re hurting and need them to be there. We were all having love problems and just decided to get rings and celebrate life together. The idea, of course, was that men would think we were married and stay away because at the time we decided that modern men weren’t worth getting involved with.”
“Ahh… I see. And how long ago was this?”
“A few years.”
“Have there been any other serious relationships?”
“Not really. I’ve dated a bit, but…” She shook her head. “My sister says I’m way too critical and picky.”
“If you are, then I’m in trouble.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because of my tics and my issues.”
Liv tilted her head. “Don’t say that. Your tics are just cute. I think it’s what gave me the courage to try and talk to you the first time I met you. I mean you looked older and so sophisticated in your expensive clothes, and you oozed intelligence. I was just a freshman regretting that I was in my old washed-out sweater without makeup on. It was stupid, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you… and then you had tics. I don’t know, it just made you a bit more approachable. If you hadn’t had those tics, I wouldn’t have been brave enough to try and talk to you.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m not. My friend, Sydney, was there and she watched you from a distance.
I scratched my nose. “It’s weird when you say things like that, because I never see anyone checking me out.”
“That’s because you don’t make eye contact with people.”
“Hmm… well, it comes with my issues. I’m not a people person, or at least I didn’t think I was until I met Conor.”
“Your mentor.” Liv pulled a leg up under her. “Tell me about him.”
“I’m not even sure where to start. Conor is just amazing. He attracts the brightest people from around the world, and he empowers and inspires us to be the best version of ourselves and take leadership in our lives. When I came to my first mastermind meeting it was overwhelming how nice everyone was to me. That thing you said about sharing love with your friends resonates with me because that’s how I feel about the group. All of them are accepting and kind. It’s like finding one’s tribe or family, you know?”
“That sounds amazing.”
“It is! On my third meeting they surprised me with a birthday cake and singing. I was so touched because it happened after I’d spoken about missing out on having a big family to celebrate my birthday as a child. And they had listened and gone out of their way to give me what I never had.”
“Was it your birthday?”
“No, but they said it was to make up for what I’d missed out on.” I smiled widely. “At least thirty people sang for me and then they all made a circle around me and gave me a massive group hug.”
“Wow.”
“I know. It was a bit overwhelming but one of the most wonderful experiences at the same time.”
“How many people are in the group?”
“It varies. Sometimes people move on, and other times, someone oversteps Conor’s rules and then they’re asked to leave, but thirty-four of us currently live at the Red Manor.”
“Is it like one of those hippie communes?”
I shook my head. “No, all the people in the mastermind group are driven and successful people who want to change the world in some way. There are no sex orgies or experimental drugs either.”
