Page 25 of My Undead Heart
“Dinner with Rae in twenty. You in?” Jared’s smile peeks over the short wall that separates us.
“Sure, let me just finish up and log off.” Today has been one of those days where we haven’t had a free minute for chatter or shenanigans. The investors forProjectX are coming in to meet with the senior developers next week, which has all us running on high—even more so after a few of our betas found a major flaw in level four. I haven’t stopped all day, and a glance at my phone shows me it’s almost seven.
I don’t want to be late to my first self-defense one-on-one session with Matt, but I still have time for both and need to eat. I’ll just have to keep an eye on the clock during dinner. Oh, and avoid the topic completely so Jared and Rae don’t have a heyday at my expense. I’m sure they’ll tease me relentlessly if they find out. As much as our friendship centers around giving each other a hard time, I’m not quite ready to laugh about last weekend and my impulsive need to become well versed in martial arts.
Finishing up an email and closing all of my applications, I logout of my computer and pack up my bag before slinging it across my shoulder. Walking out of my cubical and over to Jared’s opening, I find him smiling at his phone screen. “Where’re we going?”
He glances up, then stands to pocket his phone and wallet before throwing one arm around my shoulder and leading us toward the bank of elevators. “It’s Tuesday, Kitten. Where do you think?”
All night happy hour, fifty cent wings, and a staff that looks as if they walked off Wrigley Field.“Last Pitch. Rae’s completely predictable.” I reach out and press the button for down. It only takes a second before the middle door opens with a ding and we shuffle inside.
“Yeah, but you and I aren’t complaining.” Jared bumps my shoulder with a wink.
“No, we really aren’t. Though that new server makes me feel like a dirty old woman.”
“Old! Shut your mouth. If you’re old, then that means I’m aging too, and that’s physically impossible.” Jared’s a little touchy about his age, which is funny because the man hasn’t changed since we graduated college more than ten years ago. His tan skin is wrinkle free and as gorgeous as it was in his twenties. “Which one are you talking about? Baby blue eyes and blond hair?”
As the numbers count down from twelve, our car stops only twice to pick up a few more passengers. “That’s the one.” The elevator dings with the ground floor and we make our way out into the foyer.
Jared whistles, fanning himself with his hand. “I have no qualms about being a sugar daddy for that boy.”
I laugh because I understand the feeling. I could almost be the kid’s mother, if I did the teen mom thing, but he’s ridiculously charming and attractive. “Last week he found out what I did for a living while you were flirting with the bartender—”
“Getting drinks.” Jared interrupts, holding the door so I can pass through.
A chuckle escapes my lips. “Right. When you weregetting drinksfor twenty minutes. Anyway, Baby Blues admitted to being a total gamer back in high school. I asked him what his favorite game growing up was. Do you want to know what he said?”
“Please don’t tell me. He’s too pretty. You’ll ruin the fantasy.”
“He saidBlack Ops. You know, because it was the first mature game he was allowed to buy with his allowance.”
Jared winces and pulls his coat tighter across his chest. It’s cold for September, but Chicago is schizophrenic when it comes to the weather, so next week we could be back in shorts. Thankful for my warm sweatshirt, I tug the hoodie over my head.
“We didn’t even have ratings on games when we were kids!” He shakes his head with mock exasperation.
“That’s what I told him!” I nod to the bus stop. “Walk or bus it?”
“Let’s walk. Thanks to your story, I’m feeling practically ancient. Better keep my heart healthy if I want a shot with baby cakes.”
“Maybe you should try step aerobics. Then educate him about leg warmers, spandex, and other fashion trends of the 80s.”
“Oh fuck me, how I could give that boy lessons.”
“Come on, lover boy. We’ve got another three blocks.” Sliding my arm through Jared’s, we pick up the pace on our walk to Last Pitch. Best friends, food, and laughter promise maybe things are looking up. I hold on to the feeling, determined my positive outlook will guide my future no matter what.
“He smuggled my mom’s leather jacket—fringe, shoulder pads and all—into his backpack.” Rae slams her hand onto the table top.
“I guess that’s not so bad.” I shrug.
“Oh, God.” Jared groans into his glass and hides his eyes.
“I take it there’s more.” I giggle as Rae’s lips pull up with a wicked smile.
“He also took her Aqua Net, Pretty in Pink shimmer lip gloss, and charcoal black eye liner.” Rae bursts into laughter and I join along, tears leaking from my eyes as I try to catch my breath. My belly is sore from the amount of fun we’ve had tonight, even if most of it was at Jared’s expense as he and Rae recount childhood tales. I appreciate that Rae hasn’t gloated about hanging out with TWD actors and crew all weekend. I saw her snaps and that was bad enough. I’m not one to be naturally green with envy, especially toward someone as kind-hearted as Rae, but seeing her and Violet squished between two of my favorite actors has me extra stabby. It doesn’t go unnoticed by me how she skirts last weekend’s rundown completely. I’m sure it’s to protect my feelings and I only love her more for it.
Jared shrugs. “I wanted to rock the Boy George look.”
“It was a sixth grade history presentation!” Rae shakes her head.
