Page 69 of Art of Love
That was the crux of her problems. She’d gone to college for the life experience, and she did whatever was popular just because it was popular.
This was new.
“That’s good.”
“It’s better than good. I started last month, and I’ve already moved up to a promotion. It turns out I’m good after all with my skills in advertising. I landed a campaign with Nike.”
God, that was better than good. “Sam, that’s amazing.”
“Thank you. But that’s not all I wanted to tell you. Or even the good part. What I wanted you to know is that I’m going to find a way to pay you back. I have two thousand dollars so far, and I’m going to put aside five hundred dollars every month. I figured by the end of next year, I should be able to pay you back close to ten grand.”
I sighed and slid onto the kitchen stool. It was very noble of her, and I would have most likely done the same thing, but it didn’t feel right to accept.
“I didn’t want you to have to do that, Sam. Thank you for trying to make this right, but the real culprit here if Bane.”
“No, actually, the real culprit is me. It was my fault he was able to get into your account. I told him your password. Me in a stupid drunken state told him. So, it really is my fault. I should never have allowed that to happen.”
“It doesn’t feel right that you pay me back.”
“It feels right for me. Jia, it’s not just that. Let’s not pretend that this is the first time I’ve screwed up. It’s been years of it.”
I was glad she could see that now. It was a horrible thing to have to point out to someone.
“I’m glad you got this job, Sam. I’m proud of you for getting it. How about we see how we go with you paying back.”
Considering the time was fast approaching when I would most likely not have a job, I knew I probably wasn’t in the position to say anything like that. Realistically, I should take whatever money I could get.
Things weren’t bad financially yet, but they would get there the minute I stopped getting paid. I knew I sounded like I’d already accepted defeat, but I had to be realistic. Hunter’s talent was through the roof, and dare I say it, better than mine.
He was better than me, and I knew that once we got placed in that room at the end of this journey of ours, the difference would be very evident.
“This is going to happen, Jia. You’re too nice a person to tell me you want your money. I’m going to be the friend I should have been years ago. I don’t even know how you are.”
That was true, and I wouldn’t know how to begin to describe my situation with Hunter, so best not to try.
I could tell her this part though. “I met someone.”
“Really, oh my gosh! What’s he like?”
“Dreamy. He’s English and has that sexy presence about him that I love. It doesn’t hurt either that he looks like a cross between Brad Pitt and Thor.”
“Whaaat! Oh my God, he sounds perfect for you. You’re obsessed with Brad Pitt.” She giggled.
I smiled to myself. I kind of missed this between us. It was nice to have it back.
The front door opened, and I looked on languidly as my dream man made his way into the kitchen. He held up the bottle of wine and smiled with triumph.
“Hey, I gotta go. He’s here.”
“You sound happy, my friend.” Sam laughed.
“I am. Speak soon.”
Hunter set the bottle on the counter and came up behind me to smooth his big, strong arms around my waist. He nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck and kissed me.
“I want you,” he spoke against my skin. His warm breath tickled me.
“You have me, but you’re going to get a very cranky Jia if we don’t move on to this food now.”
