Page 81 of April

“Linden told me she had lunch plans. I didn’t know they were with you.”

Bryce walked into her office and tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans.

“I asked her if she and I could just hang out alone. I needed to talk to her about some stuff. All good,” she said, but Asher had a feeling that she might be covering for Linden.

“You two became fast friends, huh?” she asked.

“I guess, yeah. Not jealous, are you? You’ll always be the best friend.” She winked at Asher.

“No. I’m glad she has you. Now more than ever actually.”

“Because you’re moving?” Bryce asked, walking farther into the office.

“She told you?”

“She mentioned it, yeah. That and the whole dating a supermodel thing.”

Asher just rolled her eyes and replied, “I’m not dating a supermodel.”

“But you went out with one?”

“Technically, but not really. We had a nice dinner and chat. That’s all.”

“But you’re doing it again?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. We exchanged numbers, but she might have just been polite. It’s not like she’s called or texted yet.”

“Playing hard to get?” Bryce suggested.

“I don’t think so. We might end up being long-distance friends or something.”

“Well, having a famous friend is cool.”

“I guess,” she said. “I kind of just want the one Ihaveto talk to me.”

“Linden?”

“She’s acting weird,” Asher explained.

“You’re moving.”

“I know. But I still thought she’d at least be remotely excited for me. She was happier that I broke up with Gavin than she is that I have this amazing career opportunity.”

Bryce sat down in a chair and asked, “Why do you think that is?”

“It’s hard. I get it. We’ve been attached at the hip for years now. We’ve only really drifted a bit when one or both of us was in a relationship, but even then, we still saw each other here and went to lunches two to three times a week, at least.”

“She’d be losing that,” Bryce pointed out.

“Yes, but so would I,” Asher replied. “And I can’t just not take the job because it would be hard on our friendship, though.”

“No, you can’t. If you want it, you have to go for it.”

“Yes. Thank you. Why can’t Linden see that?”

“I think she can. It’s just going to be an adjustment. Give her some time.”

“Time? I’m moving?”

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