be awake at this hour.
“Kim?” she answered. “What’s up?”
I quickly explained the broad strokes version of my new apparent boyfriend, and the
incident at my work. It was far too convenient that the two senior video producers both
came down with food poisoning the same night in different restaurants, hours after I
mentioned to Devin that I might have been treated unfairly, I said.
“Good grief,” Kate muttered. “That’s a lot to unpack.”
“I know. I’m sorry to dump all of this on you.”
“Not at all, that’s what I’m here for. Just give me a minute to think.” I paced four laps of the room before she spoke. “Okay, has Devin done anything shifty in front of you? Used his
influence to treat anyone unfairly, or done anything illegal or immoral?”
“Not in the slightest. He doesn’t seem to ask for special treatment, but people seem to
assume that he’s somebody important. And he hasn’t explained why that is.
“That doesn’t mean it’s the mob,” Kate laughed. “Maybe the restaurant people all talk
amongst themselves, and everyone wants to win his business because he’s a great tipper.
And it sounds like if he likes a place, he spreads the word.”
“Well, yes,” I said. “I guess so.”
“You said that he’s wealthy, but didn’t mention his work. What if it’s something kind of embarrassing? Maybe he wants you to fall in love with him before you find out that his
family runs a toilet paper company or something.”
Laughing far too hard, it took me a minute to catch my breath. “I never would’ve thought of
that. Thanks.”
“Of course, he might not have a job at all,” Kate continued. “Maybe he’s embarrassed about
having family money and not having to work. Or maybe he thinks that you’ll judge him for it.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s possible.”
“It sounds like you’re going to have to have an awkward chat, and the sooner the better,”
Kate said, her voice taking on that slight big sister tone. “You said he treats you really well, and you absolutely click together. That is worth being a bit rude and asking him point blank
what the hell is going on.”
“You’re right. Thanks so much, Kate.”
“Anytime.” Her slight giggle made me smile. “You know what you would ask any of us. Did
you get some?”
From my embarrassed laugh, she already knew the answer. “You go, girl,” she said. “I