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Babycakes.I roll my eyes. I haven’t decided if I’m going to accept this new term of endearment he’s testing. I’ll probably force him to cut it from his vocabulary someday. Right now, it sounds lovely as I imagine it rolling off the man’s tongue when his tone is low and sexy. Yeah, maybe I’m okay with it. I continue reading.

Last night was…memorable. Don’t worry about today. I will take care of the problem.

CD

Not exactly a love note, but it’s definitely Chase. I decide I can’t wait around all day and do nothing. First order of business will be to text the girls and catch up with Phil. Instead of sending individual texts I take the lazy man’s route and mass text all three of them.

To: Maria De La Torre, Bree Simmons, Kathleen Bennett

From: Gillian Callahan

Thank you all for your advice. Chase and I talked. He’s taking care of it. Whatever that means. Stay tuned. Love you all. Besos

That should stave off the wolves for the time being. I know they’re all worried about me. They’ll be relieved Chase and I worked it out. My phone pings and I look down at the display. Maria has responded.

To: Gillian Callahan, Bree Simmons, Kathleen Bennett

From: Maria DeLaTorre

You talked? Mentiroso! Talking isn’t what kept me up all night! Perra, pull your headboard away from the wall! Te amo, Besos!

I laugh out loud!Perra? Oh yeah, bitch or slut in Spanish. I snort as I gulp my coffee. Mmm, so good. I distinctly recall a couple times last night where the headboard may have banged against the wall. My cheeks flame in embarrassment. As I set the phone down, another loud ping makes me pick it back up.

To: Gillian Callahan, Kathleen Bennett, Maria DeLaTorre

From: Bree Simmons

I’m so glad you made up. Sounds like you gave the ol’ mattress a workout. Bout’ time! Send that luck my way for my date this weekend with Phillip!

I roll my eyes at Bree’s message and gag a little. It’s like hearing about your brother having sex. Then it dawns on me that I haven’t even talked to Phillip about his rendezvous with Bree this past weekend. I’m a crummy best friend. I dial his number, knowing he’s at work but hoping he can take a quick break. He answers on the first ring.

“Hey you, what’s up?”

I smile. He truly has been the only man who’s been there for me throughout the years and hasn’t hurt me. I hope against all hope that Chase turns out to be just as good, with the added benefits. I cross my legs and am instantly reminded of the many benefits I experienced last night.

“Do you have a few minutes?” I ask.

“Sure, I was heading to get a new cup of coffee anyway. What’s going on, beautiful?”

I smile and give him the abridged version of the past couple of days. “I knew you were playing with fire, dating the boss, Gigi,” he reminds me. Leave it to a man to rub it in my face.

“Are you seriously playing the I-told-you-so card?” We laugh at my question.

“No, no, I’m not. It was just a risky move. So what’s going to happen now?” His concern is genuine and I can tell he’s worried. He knows how much this job means to me.

“I’m supposed to give them my answer tomorrow but Chase is meeting the CEO today. He assured me he’d take care of it. I don’t know what that means though. It’s driving me crazy.” I sigh into the phone and plop my head back on the couch. “So tell me, how was your date with Bree on Sunday?”

He laughs. “I see the real reason for your call. You’re fishing. She didn’t put you up to this did she?” he asks nervously.

“No, but I wouldn’t tell you anyway.” I laugh. “So, how was it?”

After a pause he says, “It was, it was wonderful, Gigi. She’s wonderful, and beautiful, and funny, and--”

“Okay, okay, I get it.” I cut him off. “She’s wonderful.” I hold the phone closer to my ear to hear his happiness. I would like nothing more than to reach through the phone and hug him but that will have to wait until I see him in person. “She said you asked her out this weekend.” I allow him to fill in the rest. I want to hear his excitement.

“I did. I’m taking her to dinner and then to see a local jazz band. Do you think that’s a good idea? Shit, maybe she’d like a fancy dinner and a show or a play?” I can tell he’s starting to worry. “Gigi, it’s been a long time since I’ve dated. Nothing since Angela.” He releases a long breath of air.

“Phil, it’s okay. Bree is really chill. She will love a nice dinner and a cool jazz band. She’s into you; it’s going to be fine. Have a good time and don’t overthink it.” It’s the best advice I can give him, or myself for that matter.

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