“I think you’re right. Enough about me. Why haven’t you gone to your job interview yet?” It’s been well over a month since we last talked about it. We’ve discussed it on the down low, not letting anyone know, and it’s not because Leena is miserable. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I think she just wants to see what it feels like to have to work for it, to see her worth, so to speak.
“Girl, the process to get interviewed has taken so long. I didn’t think it would be so in depth, honestly. I’ve had two phone call interviews, a questionnaire, damn near had to give blood and promise them to name my firstborn after this company.” She blows out a puff of air.
“Wow, are you sure it’s worth it?” The waiter that’s been serving us brings our food. We both pause our talk because, well, food, and it’d be rude to blab our conversation and ignore him.
“Thank you. Can I get extra sour cream?” Leena asks. The girl is obsessed with all things dairy—cheese, milk, ice cream, there’s no end.
“Of course. Anything else?” he questions.
“Yes, thank you. I’ll take a glass of ice water when you get a chance?”
“I’ll be right back with that.” The waiter is gone as fast as he appeared. His tip will totally be awesome tonight.
“Do I think it’s worth it? Maybe, for my self-esteem alone, yes. The hassle? Probably not, especially because you and I both know I’m not leaving Hart Construction. I talk a big game but definitely can’t walk the walk.” Leena, my sweet best friend, she could do anything she puts her mind to.
“Girl, yes, you can, and if it helps your self-esteem, which I think is pretty fucking spectacular, do you, girl. I’ve got your back completely. Also, I’ve tried the sneak attack with your brother on the whole having them relax and not go psycho protective mode. No dice, doll.” It sucked, but I’m still going to keep trying to make them see the error of their ways.
“Thanks, but I kind of figured that. Another reason for the job interviews. I’m just glad vacation time is coming up. Nothing but me and the beach in the Bahamas. I can’t wait.” I’m so shocked her family still lets her get away without having a security guard or following Leena themselves.
“Send me pictures. You know if you happen to slip and fall on a piece of man meat, that wouldn’t be bad either.” She bursts out laughing. I follow suit. Girls’ night will be happening weekly from here on out, no matter what. We both need this, not to mention it’s so good for the soul.
CHAPTER TWENTY
asa
“Asa! I have something to tell you!” Montana shouts as she walks through the door. The sound of her shoes thudding against the floor and part of the wall tells me she’s kicked them off like normal. My woman is a mess when she comes inside the house. Things are dropped where they land, only to be picked up before we go to bed. Something like that would have ticked me off before getting to know her. Now it just comes with the territory, like all the plants that have invaded the house.
“Right here, babe.” I’m flat on my back, the couch beneath me, a beer sitting on the ground beside it, the television on with the baseball game on. I’ve just been relaxing here in the muted dark waiting for Montana to come home.
“Well, I know that this is pretty much where we always are, when we’re home.” That’s something that still needs to be rectified. I haven’t pushed the subject because life has been going one hundred miles per hour with Montana starting her new job, and figuring out the shit going on with Deke, which is still a clusterfuck along with a new Alabama branch. It’s not been smooth sailing, that’s for sure.
“Not for much longer. The back deck gets started this weekend.” My hand moves out to hers, helping her to settle on top of me.
“Really? That’s fantastic. Drinking my coffee out there in the morning with you has been nice, but the lack of furniture doesn’t make it comfortable.” Her weight settles on top of mine, and my hand tangles in her dark hair that’s down, thick with waves.
“I wasn’t going to buy furniture just to store it while the deck takes a few weeks to be rebuilt.” The delivery is coming this week, which reminds me I’ll need to see if Montana can be here if I’m out at a jobsite that’s too far away from the house.
“True.” She lifts her body up, so her arms are propped on my chest. I spread my legs further so she can settle in. “Oh yeah, I got excited about the deck and forgot what I was going to tell you. But first, just letting you know I took Leena’s tipsy little ass home, poured her into bed, and put a glass of water and aspirin on her nightstand. She was snoring before I left, so no worries there.”