Page 72 of The Protégé

I didn’t want to ruin the evening with the girls with my negative mood, so I pushed him aside.

“So when is your Kindness Fund charity?” I asked Vivian. She and her fiancé had expanded Whiz Kidz to incorporate a dental office that performed affordable dental work for the community. They had a lot of doctors on staff.

Vivian held up her finger as she chewed on a spring roll. “It’s in two weeks. If you have time, I’d love for you to cover it before I schedule other media outlets.”

I grinned, thinking about Channel 7 News and how Chantel wouldn’t like that one bit.

Sitting beside me with her pretty auburn curls, Michelle kicked my foot. “Why are you smiling?”

Kiera jabbed a finger at me from across the table. “I know what that is.”

I furrowed my eyebrows and laughed at her facial expression. She looked like she knew a big secret that I was unaware of.

“What?” I asked with a laugh.

Natalie shook her head. “It’s your turn, Elena.”

I bit into my spring roll, still unsure of the chatter amongst the girls. They were staring at me.

“It’s your turn.” Audri placed her dish on the table and narrowed her eyes. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding us?”

“You’re all acting strange. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

We’d become friends after I wrote about them in Musepaper. My readers loved these girls. They kept asking for updates on Audri’s jewelry collection, Natalie’s new dress collection, Kiera’s notecards, Vivian’s dental office and her sister’s plushie business. Michelle’s travel blog had grown with my readers, loving all the excursion sites she promoted.

I had few female friends growing up. They didn’t like me. Elliot was the only one who understood me, but he was a guy. So these girls were my first genuine female friends who didn’t make me feel unworthy, even though they were all more successful than me.

“Who’s your boyfriend? Is he in the media?” Michelle asked.

“I think there’s something going on with you and Orion,” Vivian said casually.

How did she know?

“Orion?” Amusement gleamed in Audri’s eyes. “We don’t know much about him.”

“How long have you been seeing him?” Kiera inquired.

“He’s quite the catch, but is he a good kisser?” Natalie arched an elegant eyebrow.

“When did this happen?” Michelle kicked my foot again.

I put my plate on the coffee table, held up two hands, and laughed at the curious faces gawking at me. “How did talking about your dental event turn into the third degree on my love life?”

“See that?” Kiera wagged her finger. “See how she twists things around with her use of words?”

Audri narrowed her eyes. “Journalists are dangerous.”

Everyone laughed, knowing she was just teasing. But there was truth to that. I could and would use my words wisely. However, among family and friends, I only wanted to offer the truth.

“Wait, before I forget!” Audri slapped a hand to her forehead and looked at me. “The girls and I chatted about this at the last gathering, the one you couldn’t make.” She got up from the couch and retrieved a tray of leather bands from a table. “I’m having a Make Your Own Bracelet event at Natalie’s flagship store. Please come! The proceeds will be donated to a localcharity and Vivian’s Kindness Fund to help low-income families achieve a healthy smile.”

Vivian held up a finger. “Part of that will go into a scholarship fund for students who want to study dentistry but can’t afford it.”

I was in awe of these inspiring women making an enormous difference in the world. They had money and power and used them well.

“I love that. I’ll definitely do a write-up on Musepaper.”

“Thanks!” Audri beamed. “So tell us about Orion.”

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