Charlene laughed. “Don’t judge me. It’s delicious.”
Sofia rolled her eyes. How was it fair that Charlene could eat cheesecake for breakfast and still be so damn thin? Sofia swore she gained a pound just carrying the dishes to the customers. But if she was going to be working full time and also going to rehearsal each night, she was sure she’d be burning plenty of calories.
Too bad I’m a stress eater.
“The only way you’re getting that cheesecake is if you come by the restaurant tonight for it. Besides, I’d like to see you in person. This talking on the phone gets old quick.”
“Okay, I’ll come by. It’d be more fun if Sal was going to be there,” Charlene joked.
“Don’t you think I have enough going on right now? The last thing I need is my big brother asking questions too.”
“Sofia, you worry too much. You’re a grown woman, not a child anymore. It’s time you stood your ground and spoke up about what you want.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Your parents are free spirits who wouldn’t care if you decided you were going to be a tree instead of a human. Mine have mapped out everything. I’m just surprised they haven’t planned a wedding yet.”
“You’re dating someone?” Charlene asked in surprise.
“No. But do you think that would stop my mother?”
Laughing, Charlene said, “Don’t forget that I’m your maid of honor.”
With a huff, Sofia declared, “There’s no wedding.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Don’t you start too. You of all people should understand that a woman doesn’t have to be married. Besides, I’m only twenty-six.”
“Funny, that’s the same age I am, and yet I wouldn’t mind snagging myself some tall, dark, handsome…”
“Don’t you dare say my brother’s name. He’s not your type,” Sofia warned firmly.
Charlene snickered. “Sofia, the problem with Sal is he’s everyone’s type.”
Sofia had to agree with Charlene there. The women seemed to flock to her brother. What was it with that? Did he get all the looks and charm? She might not want to be married, but she wouldn’t mind the guys knocking her door down wanting to take her out.
“Although I’m enjoying our little chat, I’d better head to work.”
“You already work too much. Now with the show, when do you expect us to see each other?”
“We can talk every day on my way to rehearsal.” At one point, she and Charlene had been practically joined at the hip. Now they struggled to find time to squeeze in a night out.
“Before you know it, we’ll be just texting each other and then…nothing,” Charlene said in an overly dramatic tone.
“Oh please. Who’s the actress now?” Sofia said sarcastically.
“Maybe I will need to try out for a part just so we can see each other. Or better yet, why don’t you and I go to this event they are having on Saturday night?”
Right now, she was free, and it would be amazing to get out for something fun. “Great. What do you have planned for us?”
“It’s speed dating with a paint-a-puppy event after. What can be better? Hot guys and cute puppies?”
“I am not going to a speed-dating thing. No way,” Sofia said firmly. Her friend should know better than to ask. Sofia was great in crowds because she was a waitress, but speed dating was worse than the real thing. Talk about awkwardly staring across the table at someone and feeling like she had a sign on her, ‘I’m desperate.’ With the snickering she heard over the phone, it was possible Charlene had been joking anyway. “Seriously Charlene, I need to go in to work now.”
“Don’t forget my—”
“Cheesecake. Goodness, is that all you think about? Men and food?”
Charlene laughed wickedly. “Sometimes I combine the two. You should try it sometime. Messy but, well, delicious.”