“If you believe that, I got a bridge to nowhere I can sell you.”
“Ella…”
“Let’s say he’s legit. What time will you have to be his personal etiquette consultant when you’re working full time in a different position?”
“I mean, my understanding is, it wouldn’t be a full-time thing. I’ll probably just give him some pointers in passing, at lunch or via email…”
“Quintessa Bailey, are you seriously considering this?”
“I don’t think I have much of a choice at this point.”
“You could’ve just told him no.”
“I could have. I just felt like—I don’t know. I felt like I needed to do it—like he honestly needed me to. I don’t know, Ella…there’s something about him and I really can’t explain it. He’s a jerk, but—gosh—there’s something.”
“Something like what?”
“I can’t—I can’t put my finger on it and it’s frustrating because he’s so not the kind of person I would normally be around. It’s—”
I sigh and drop my head. “I need some sleep. That’s all. I’m delirious. I’ll wake up in the morning either excited about the future or regretting everything I’ve done in the last week. Are you still coming over tomorrow to help me paint?”
“Yes, but I think it’s a little too early to be painting an accent wall when you don’t have curtains yet.”
“Well, the furniture will just have to match the wall. I’m going to get the paint and brushes early in the morning and probably get started before you get here.”
“Okay, girl. Well, get some sleep.”
“I’ll try. It’s always hard to sleep the first night in a new place.”
“I know, but it’s exciting at the same time, right?”
“It is.”
“You know I’ma miss you over here, too. I won’t have anyone to bug on a regular basis—no one to talk to.”
“You have a boyfriend.”
“Looks like you have one now, too!” she quips, then cackles.
“And on that note, I will see you tomorrow. Bye, El.”
“Bye, girl.”
I peel myself up off the floor because if I fall over right here, I’m going to be asleep. I make sure the deadbolt on the door is activated, then dig out a nightgown from my bag of clothes. I take a shower, realizing how difficult this will be without a shower curtain – yet another thing I need to add to the list for when I return to the store. I manage to take a quick one, then after throwing on my nightgown, I unpack items for the bed – a fitted sheet, pillow and comforter. Then I fall across the bed, let out a deep sigh and rest. Tomorrow is a new day – the last weekend day – before I have to return to work on Monday and deal with him.