Page 84 of Rich Girl
“I saw his picture on theHolidatesapp. I felt this strange connection to him. I couldn’t get him out of my mind.”
I get all chocked up as I speak.
“He lives in New York?”
“Y-yes…” I sniffle out. “I lied at first. I told him I was from New York, too. It kind of snowballed from there.”
Adeline sighs, but it sounds like it’s more in understanding.
“Did you ever tell him you were not from New York?”
“I did because I couldn’t deal with not spending money anymore.”
We both chuckle at that. None of us ever had to think about money or the price of things.
“What did he think of it once you told him you lived in Boston?”
I think back to the night when I confessed everything to Ray. His just smiled in understanding, nothing that I told him surprising him.
“He had figured it out on his own,” I tell Adeline. “I had shown him my driver’s license. I didn’t think,” I laugh. “But it was obviously an out of state ID.”
“Did he expect you to stay there forever?”
“Uh, no. I think he expected me to be out of here on the next day. But…”
I start sobbing again. I can’t find my words, and it’s terrifying to think that I’m going to lose him now regardless of both of us pretending like this was going to last.
“I fell in love with him, Addie,” I cry to my friend. “I couldn’t leave. Then I kept on telling myself that I’d stay a little longer.”
I sniffle and take a couple of breaths in, trying to snap out of it.
“I was supposed to go to this Cinco de Mayo party with him,” I explain. “And he’s supposed to be my date to your wedding.”
“But I don’t even know this man,” Adeline protests. “He’s supposed to attend my wedding?”
I bust out laughing with no warning. “I didn’t want to ruin your table formation,” I tease her.
“Jesus, what a mess.” But she’s laughing, too.
“Anyway, I should let you go now. I’m at Evie’s house, and…”
Adeline cuts me off. “Who is Evie?”
“She is, uh…” I hesitate, knowing exactly what her reaction is going to be. “Evie is my boss.”
Adeline remains quiet for so long, I get worried.
“Your boss,” she finally repeats. “As in you having a job? And she is supervising you?”
“Uh, yes,” I confirm.
“Oh my goodness, I think I’m having heart palpitations,” Adeline whispers over the line. “Does your mother know you gota job?”
“No,” I chuckle. “I haven’t talked to her in weeks. She and my dad are in Greece.”
“What kind of a job is this?”
The astonishment in Adeline’s voice amuses me. I’m certain I’d react exactly like this if the roles were reversed.
