“It was bunk day at school, so everyone did it. Not everyone, but a lot of kids did.” Roger shot her a look. “Okay, Vickie dragged me along with her. She was always getting me in some sort of trouble.” Those were the best times ever. “Anyway, as I was saying, we skipped school. It was hot out and everyone was going to the lake. I’m not sure why I ever agreed to play truth, dare, or double dare with those people, but somehow I found myself having to skinny dip with Vickie and a few others. If you ask me, the boys rigged the game. No way we all lost.”
Roger laughed. “If the boys made up the rules, then yeah, you were played. What I can’t believe is you actually did it.”
“Not only did we do it, but we had to climb to the top of a cliff and leap in. Thankfully we didn’t have smartphones back then or I’m sure it would’ve been plastered all over social media.” And I’d never have gotten a compliance position.
“Damn it!”
“What?” Gia asked.
“I was going to ask if there were any pictures.” Gia sat, her mouth gapped open. “What I’d have given to be there.”
“I’m sure you never would’ve tricked us girls into doing that.”
Roger laughed. “Boys are boys. When we did it, it was winter and the girls had to make snow angels. So count yourself lucky.”
Just the thought made a shiver run through her. “That’s horrible.”
“That’s boys.”
“And yet we still like you guys. We all must be crazy,” Gia snickered. “Good thing you grow out of it.”
“We never do. The rules just change.”
Ain’t that the truth?
Roger pulled the car up to the front of the library. “I’m almost tempted to drive around the block a few times to see what other little goodies you have to share with me.”
Gia let go of his hand and unbuckled her seatbelt. “You’re not getting all my dirty little secrets.” At least not all at once. “Besides, I have an appointment, and I can’t keep him waiting.”
Roger said, “I really don’t like you meeting him alone.”
“He’s not a stranger. Just a bit strange. And before you ask, no, he wasn’t at the lake that day. He was one of the kids still in the classroom.” With that she opened the door and got out. “I should be back out in an hour.”
“I’ll go check us into the hotel.”
She nodded and watched as Roger drove away. It was funny, she didn’t need him with her, but now that he was gone, she felt his absence.
Get over it, Gia. This isn’t a vacation. He’s not your boyfriend. He’s a friend and you’re here to help him get answers.With that, she went into the building in hopes of returning with some.
But even before she made it inside, her cell phone rang. There was no way he was checking on her already. When she looked at the caller ID it said Henderson Towers. Taking a deep breath, she answered.
“Hello, this is Gia.”
“Hi, Gia. This is Brittney. We met on Sunday with Lena.”
No way I could forget.“Yes, I remember. How are you?”
“I’m good, thanks. Upon reviewing your résumé, I see we have a few positions you might be a candidate for. Could you come in this afternoon to meet with me?”
She rolled her eyes. Of course Brittney would call as soon as she arrived in New York. The timing couldn’t have been worse. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but even if she left right now, there was no way she’d make it back in time. “I’m actually in New York at the moment. Would it be possible to schedule for another day?”
Gia held her breath and waited. She could hear Brittney typing.
“I’m booked the rest of this week, but I can do Monday morning at eight. Would that work?”
“Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you so much.”
When the call ended, Gia exhaled. She was a wreck. She couldn’t believe she almost blew a job offer because she was with Roger. But what could she do? She’d promised to help him with this. Asking him to turn around and rush back to Boston wasn’t right. Maybe it’s the right thing to do, but it’s not what I’m doing. This was so unlike her. She prided herself on being responsible to the core. And she had totally forgotten about Brittney’s promise to call her for an interview. What was wrong with her?