by Marie Astor
“Yeah, sorry about that. David wanted to leave early.”
“Too bad. It would have been nice to get a picture of the two of you and maybe a couple of quotes from David Lawson.” When pronouncing David’s name, Lindsay tilted back her head and pushed up her nose.
“Knock it off. David is not like that at all.”
“Fine, maybe he’s not, but I wouldn’t know, since Mr. Lawson never seems to have time for your friends.”
Claire shrugged. “He’s been working so much lately. He really wants to prove himself at the office.”
“Oh, please! Give me a break. He is the owner’s son. I’d say he’s got the way pretty much paved for him.”
“David wants everyone to know that he earned his position.” Claire sighed. “You don’t really like David, do you?”
“It’s irrelevant whether I like him or not. I’m not the one dating him.”
“But you’re my best friend. Your opinion is important to me.”
“Mine, not Amber’s?”
“You’re both my best friends.” Claire sighed with exasperation. Ever since middle school, they had been an inseparable trio: Amber, Lindsay, and Claire, and the silent rivalry between Amber and Lindsay dated equally far back. Amber was outgoing and bossy, Lindsay was witty and practical, and Claire was thoughtful and caring - the balance between the two. It was hard to say just what exactly united the three friends. Maybe it was that each had qualities the other one lacked, but suffice it to say, their friendship had taken them through childhood, adolescence, and college, to the world of adulthood.
“Yeah, I know. I just don’t trust Amber’s choice of men for you, that’s all. After all, she’s the one who set you up with David, right?”
“She introduced us, yes. David is her client.”
“Exactly, and Amber could make one believe that the devil is a saint if she were his PR agent.”
“David is not a devil – he is sweet and charming.”
“Hey, I’m not the one you need to convince of your boyfriend’s virtues. Like I said, if you’re happy, I’m happy for you. But something is telling me there’s trouble in paradise.”
Seven years of being a tabloids scout had honed Lindsay’s instincts well. She could whiff trouble from the slightest of signs.
“It’s not that. It’s just that lately, David’s been spending so much time at work… I just wish we could spend more time together.” Like this Sunday, for instance, Claire thought.
“Do you think he might be messing around? I could have him followed – I know people.”
“Thanks, Lindsay, you’re a true friend.”
“What? I’m just saying; it never hurts to be vigilant.”
“David leads a very public life. Don’t you think that if he were sneaking around behind my back, it would have leaked out in the tabloids already?”
“True, you’ve got a point there. Maybe he is really busy at work then.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
“Well, then you just have to wait for things to get back to normal. He didn’t always keep these crazy hours, did he?”
“He didn’t when we first starting dating, but lately it’s become the norm…”
“Then maybe you need to become less available to him; make him miss you.”
“You think? Geez, Lindsay, each pointer you give me is more original than the next. That’s what I’ve been trying to do, but if I see any less of him, I’m afraid he might forget what I look like.”
“Don’t worry – things will work out eventually. Either he’ll stop working these crazy hours, or you’ll get tired of waiting around for him and move on.”
“Great. Thanks for the wonderful relationship advice.”
“No problem. You know that you can always count on me.”
It was almost eight o’clock at night when Claire walked up to her building. She and Lindsay had spent the Sunday roaming SoHo’s galleries and boutiques and had finished the day off with dinner and drinks. It was always fun hanging out with Lindsay, but, throughout the day, Claire could not help wishing that David had been there with her.
She was about to enter the lobby when she had a sudden impulse to look up at the windows of the top floor apartment. The lights were off; her musical neighbor was probably out, dancing the night away. Claire shook her head, wondering what on earth possessed her to look up. It was about time she put the foolish incident out of her mind.