“I understand. It’s just been one of those weeks, I guess.” She closed her binder. “I’ll send you the final invoice for my time.”
“Thanks, and I am sorry,” he repeated and stood, signaling that it was time for her to go.
Keira hit the street with that binder she no longer needed and wanted to curse the gods or maybe it was just God or fate or destiny. Whatever the force was that was delivering her all the crap this week, she wanted to curse it. She tossed the entire binder into the nearest trash can on the sidewalk and walked in the direction of where she parked. Then, she stopped walking, exhaled and returned to the trash can. She pulled out the binder, opened it, tore out the papers that pertained to the client she’d just lost and tossed those in, keeping the binder. Binders cost money, and she didn’t have a lot of it.
Her former firm, the largest and most popular in the area, had stolen a client from her. She wasn’t sure if it was on accident or on purpose, but she was going to find out. Their office was only a few miles away. She climbed into her car and headed in that direction, suddenly even more furious than she had been at the client’s mention of their name and how they’d taken her business. She parked in the floor of the parking garage they rented exclusively for their clients, marched into the office, past reception and right into her former boss’s office.
“Andi, where do you get off?” she demanded.
“Excuse me?” Andi Williams, her former boss and one of the partners in the company, asked at her intrusion. She was about forty-five years old, had short blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She was beautiful by any standard and often used that to her advantage. She’d also taught Keira nearly everything she knew about her job. “Keira?”
“Yes, Keira. It’s me.” Keira tossed her bag on one of the office guest chairs. “I just lost a client thanks to you.”
“What are you talking about?” Andi stood and walked around her desk to lean against the front of it.
“Marcos.”
“The restaurant?”
“Yes, the restaurant. I was planning their soft opening and, all the sudden, they drop me for you guys,” Keira retorted.
“Keira, I have no idea what you’re talking about. We didn’t go after Marcos,” Andi told her. “If we got them, it wasn’t because we were actively going after them to spite you.”
“So, one of your people just happened to mention that they worked here and could plan something I was already planning?” Keira persisted.
“I would assume so. But if they did, I’m not going to fault them for that. That’s just good business. Why did you think we tried to poach them?”
“Because they were poached,” Keira defended her assertion.
“Keira, I won’t lie. I was upset when you left, but not enough to try to steal your business,” Andi stated. “You were one of my favorites. You were great, but when you left, I didn’t wish you any ill will. I wouldn’t send my people on poaching trips now. You even stayed on to help with that tech conference when we asked. You left on good terms. Plus, there’s not really a point.”
“No point in what?”
“Keira, you’re not even on our list of competitors,” Andi said. Keira recognized sadness, or maybe it was sympathy in her tone. “I honestly didn’t even know you were still in the game.”
“You thought I quit?”
“I was at Michelle’s funeral, remember? We talked, you and I.” She held out her glasses and used them to point back and forth between the two of them. “You said your heart wasn’t in it anymore. After that, you kind of fell off the map. I didn’t know you were still working.”
“Well, I am. I’d appreciate it if you stopped taking my clients.” Keira picked up her bag and clutched it in both hands in front of her body.
“Keira, we’re not actively taking any of your clients. But if some of them are dissatisfied or decide to jump ship, we’ll take them. It’s nothing against you. You’d do the same thing in my shoes.” She stood up fully. “I know you would, because I taught you to.”
“I wouldn’t take someone’s clients, Andi.”
“Yes, you would. You would if you could, Keira. You’d take all you can get. That’s how it works in this business. I know you know that.” She paused and moved a few steps toward Keira. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Keira insisted.
“Keira, I’m sorry about Marcos.” Andi’s lips fell into a straight line.
“I’m going.” Keira nodded as if that mattered and turned to go.
“Well, it was nice to see you again, I guess,” Andi replied and turned to walk back behind her desk.
“Bye.”
Two minutes later, she was outside, breathing hard. She’d just made a complete and total fool of herself, and for what? Why had she done that? She’d been angry, yes. She’d been confused and upset, yes. But yelling at her former boss, her former mentor… What had that accomplished? Nothing. When she’d left the company, it was in good standing. They weren’t happy about her leaving, but she’d left the right way to live her dream. Now, she’d ruined any chances she had at going back if things continued to go badly for her. Sure, Andi might forgive her little tirade, but Keira couldn’t show her face in that building ever again after the stunt she’d just pulled. Andi would never fully respect her. And not because of what had just happened, but because her attempt to start a firm had essentially failed. Andi had been one of the founding partners and had accomplished everything. Keira was pulling binders from the trash to try to save five dollars.
CHAPTER 25
God, Emma felt good. She had a great job, a beautiful girlfriend, and even the possibility of new friendships with Keira’s group. It wasn’t likely that Kellan would be her best friend, but Hillary and Greene had both been nice. Things were looking up. She’d gotten a call from Jenna at the community college: they were confirmed for next semester. Emma would have not one but two classes to teach on Mondays and Wednesdays. She was pumped at the idea of teaching students in something she felt passionately about. Ivy had been so impressed with the health fair and the results they’d achieved from it that she already wanted to start the planning for next year. It was with that good news that she called her girlfriend while on her way home from work.
“Hey, babe,” Emma greeted when Keira answered after the third ring.
“Hi,” Keira replied, but she didn’t sound like herself.
“What’s wrong?” Emma stopped walking down the street instantly, causing a man also talking on his phone to bump into her. “Sorry.”
“What happened?” Keira asked.
“Nothing. What’s wrong?” Emma repeated her question and moved to the side to let others pass her.
“I’m fine. I’m just tired,” Keira answered.
“Are you sure? You don’t sound okay.”
“I’m sure.”
Emma hesitated before pushing the issue. Keira didn’t sound alright at all, but if she insisted she was, Emma didn’t want to argue with her about it.
“Do you want to grab a late dinner? I’m starving. I was thinking we can go to–”
“I already ate, actually.”
“Oh, right,” Emma offered back. They hadn’t planned anything. She shouldn’t be surprised that Keira ate. Emma had stayed late at work to celebrate a colleague’s birthday. “I can pick something up for myself and come over, if you don’t mind me eating in front of you.”
“I think I’m just going to get some sleep, Em.”
“Keira, you’d tell me if something was wrong, right? Did I do something or…”
“What? No,” she objected fervently. “Em, I’m sorry. I think I’m coming down with something. I feel like I need the night in bed. I don’t want to give you what I might have.”
Emma knew that wasn’t the truth. She knew it. She’d used that excuse a few times herself, trying to avoid something. She had no recourse though, because Keira clearly didn’t want to talk about whatever was going on.
&nb
sp; “Okay,” she replied defeatedly. “Can I get you anything? Something from the pharmacy?”
“No, I’m okay. I think sleep will help. I haven’t gotten very much of that lately.”
“Me neither.” Emma was running on fumes these days, but they were good fumes in her opinion. “Call me tomorrow then?”
“Okay,” Keira replied. “Good night.”
“Yeah, good night,” Emma returned and hung up the phone.
She walked the next two blocks with headphones in her ears, listening to music, trying to not think about Keira’s demeanor, which only caused her to think about it more.
“Emma?” The voice registered in her ears despite the music, and she removed her headphones and turned around.
“Kevin? Hey.”
“Hey. How are you?” he asked. “Oh, this is Tracy,” he introduced the woman to his right.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you.” She put out her hand for Tracy to shake.
“Emma is Keira’s girlfriend,” he explained.
“Nice to meet you too.” She smiled and shook Emma’s hand.
“We were just grabbing some dinner. Should we call Key and see if she wants to meet us?” he offered.
“I just talked to her. She said she wasn’t feeling well.”
“Really? We were just there like an hour ago. She seemed okay. Maybe we should go back.” He turned to Tracy. “See if she’s okay?” He turned back to Emma. “Oh, I guess that’s your job now.” He nodded. “I have to pass the torch.” He half-smiled.
“Especially with the move,” Tracy contributed.
“Move?” Emma lifted an inquisitive eyebrow at Kevin, knowing he’d have the answer.
“I guess she hasn’t told you.” He gave Tracy a glare that said she shouldn’t have mentioned it. “I’m moving to Sacramento in a few weeks. I got a promotion at work. I told her this morning.”
“Congratulations,” she told him.
“Thanks. It’s a big move. I don’t want to leave Key, but it’s a huge opportunity for me. She said she understood, but I’m not sure. We’ve lived together for a while now. We’ve gotten used to each other. It’s going to be hard for me without her. I think it’ll be hard for her without me. I’ll do what I can to help out.”
“I’m sure you will. You have a thing for the dishes, she told me.” She smiled at him.
“And the rent,” Tracy commented.
“Tracy,” he exclaimed in her direction and gave her an admonishing look.
“Sorry,” she said and appeared to mean it, but also probably not wanted to say anything negative about Keira in Emma’s presence.
“It’s fine. Key will be fine. She always bounces back.”
“Back?” Emma muttered mostly to herself.
“Our reservation is in five minutes, Kev.” Tracy lifted their hands halfway into the air.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry, we should go. I was going to stay at Tracy’s tonight, but maybe I should stay with Key and make sure she’s okay?”
“I’m going over there,” Emma stated and realized that she was going over there the exact moment the words were uttered. “Just grabbing some stuff and heading over.”
“Good. I’m glad,” he said. “I’ll see you.”
“Have a good night,” she said.
◆◆◆
Keira had only just stopped crying for the second time that evening when there was a knock on the door. She got up from her bed, wiping her eyes with a tissue as she walked toward the door to investigate. Kevin and Tracy had stopped by after work to talk about the apartment situation and the finances. She’d waited until they left for the night before she let her tears fall in earnest. She balled her body up on the corner of her bed and let out all the tears she’d been holding in, thinking things would turn around for her. Emma had shown up in her life at both the best time and the worst time. She was a breath of absolute fresh air. Keira was crazy about her. But Keira’s professional life and financial situation were the worst they had ever been. She didn’t want Emma to have to see her like this.
“Shit,” she whispered to herself when she looked through the peephole and saw it was Emma at the door.
“I heard that,” Emma said from her place on the other side of the door.
Keira pulled it open and saw Emma standing there with a duffel bag over one shoulder and a plastic bag in the other hand.
“Hi.” Keira gave a diminutive wave.
“Babe, what happened?” Emma’s wide-eyed expression told her she hadn’t hidden her red and swollen eyes very well at all.
Emma moved into the apartment and closed the door behind her.
“I’m okay,” Keira lied.
Emma dropped her duffel to the floor and placed the plastic bag on a small table next to the sofa.
“You’re crying. Is this about Kevin?”
“What about Kevin?”
“I ran into him on the way home from work. He was with Tracy. He told me about the move.” She reached both hands to Keira’s face. “Are you okay? Please be honest with me. You can tell me.”
Keira wanted to tell her, but the embarrassment and shame wouldn’t let her.
“It just took me by surprise, but I’m okay,” she half-lied.
Emma pulled her into a hug. Keira wrapped her arms around Emma’s neck, pulling her in tighter. She held back the tears she wanted to let out again at the realization that she’d just lied again.
“I’m sorry. Are you going to be okay? What about this place?” Emma asked.
“I’m going to have to move,” she offered. “I’ll have to find a smaller place and probably further outside of the city. I’m not sure exactly where yet.”
“Want me to see if there’s a studio in my building available?”
“No, I can’t–” she started. “Can we talk about something else?”
“Something else?” Emma pulled back and looked at her seriously. “Like not where you’re going to be living in a few months?”
“It’s just been a long day. I meant what I said on the phone. I’m exhausted. I was just getting ready to go to sleep.”
Emma let go of her entirely and replied, “And I just came over without calling?”
“It’s not like that, Em. I just wasn’t expecting anyone, and–”
“I should go.” Emma leaned over and picked up her bag.
“No, you can stay. I don’t want you to go.”
“I think you do, actually,” Emma returned. “You wanted a night to yourself, and that’s okay.” She picked up her bag. “I should’ve called. Get some sleep tonight. Call me tomorrow?”
“Emma, you don’t have to go all the way back now. At least stay and eat your dinner. Stay all night.” She motioned toward the plastic bag on the table.
“That’s for you,” Emma pointed. “Chicken soup and orange juice. Good combination when you don’t feel good,” Emma explained. “I ate my dinner on the train.”
Emma turned and opened the door.
“Em…”
“Just call me tomorrow if you’re up for it,” Emma said and exited the apartment, closing the door behind her.
“Fuck,” Keira muttered and gave herself another reason to cry tonight.
◆◆◆
“Hails, I don’t know what to do,” Emma explained while she was on FaceTime with Hailey the next night. “There’s something off with her, I know it, but she won’t tell me.”
“You guys haven’t been together that long, Em. It’s still new. Maybe it just takes her time to fully trust someone.”
“I guess. But her best friend and roommate is leaving. I know that’s a big deal. I know she’s had problems making rent in the past and Kevin’s helped her out. I’m worried, Hails.”
“Have you told her that?” Hailey asked.
“No, because it was clear she didn’t want me there last night. I know I just dropped by, but I was trying to be a good girlfriend.”
“You are a good girlfriend. I can attest to that.” Hailey smiled. “Just
talk to her.”
“I asked her what was wrong and told her she could talk to me. She said she was fine and needed sleep.”
“It’s Friday night. Do you two have plans?”
“No.”
“And you haven’t talked to her today?”
“She hasn’t called. I texted at lunch to check in. She replied back an hour later that she was okay and in a client meeting.”
“Nothing since?” Hailey looked concerned.
“No,” Emma admitted and shook her head. “Hailey, I really like this woman.” She lifted her head and stared into Hailey’s eyes. “I more than really like her. Before she got to drinks on Wednesday, I was talking to Summer and Lena. I told them it had only been a few weeks, but that I was pretty crazy about her. They both laughed when I said that it was moving fast.”
“Because those two moved in together pretty much the day after they met?”
“Yeah.” Emma laughed. “Summer said it happened so quickly for her when she met Lena that, at first, she didn’t trust it. Lena said the same. I think that’s where I’m at.”
“It happened quickly with us,” Hailey stated with two lifted eyebrows. “You and I officially met in our high school bathroom, and that night, we were making out by the pond. I fell for you then, and I trusted it. I was terrified, but I trusted it.”
“I know. Me too.”
“So, what’s different?”
“I’m older and wiser now.”
“Hey!” Hailey pointed at her through the screen.
“You know what I mean.” Emma laughed at her adorable best friend, seeing a piece of the girl she fell in love with all those years ago. “Back then, I hadn’t had my heart broken. I hadn’t experienced anything really. I was seventeen and in love with a girl I’d noticed a million times in school and hadn’t had the courage to meet. This is different, because I’ve been burned in the past. I’ve had my heart broken and then stomped on, then broken again and disappointed. Everything that can go wrong in my love life has gone wrong.”
“But that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again, Em. I know things were bad with Eli. She was a bitch that lied to you for months. If I see her again, I might just punch her in the face.”
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