Page 43 of Fear of Love
The two of us stayed like that for a little while. Just curled up on the couch together like this was an everyday thing. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it would be like if Landon and I were something more.
13
LYDIA
“Look what I bought us,” Tasha whispered beside me on Mila’s couch. Behind us, Mila and Josie were busy making margaritas as we got ready to watch the guys play their next hockey game on TV.
Leaning in, Tasha showed me her phone with an excited grin. On the screen were four sashes, each one with a different saying. One was obviously Josie’s because it said, “Wifey Material.” The others said—Designated Drunk, Bad Influence, and Sexy and Single.
I snorted, not at all surprised that Tasha got these for Josie’s bachelorette party.
“I take it you’re the ‘Bad Influence’ one?”
“Of course.” She didn’t brother to argue. I knew I was the ‘Sexy and Single’ one since no one else in our group was single. “They come later this week. Perfect timing for the party.”
“She’s gonna love it.” Josie still had no idea what we were planning. Pretty sure she thought we were just going to do a small girl’s night.
“Margaritas!” Mila cheered as her and Josie came back into the living room. Tasha quickly put her phone away before grabbing a glass.
I eagerly accepted mine as Mila held it out for me. I didn’t know what she did, but she had the best margarita recipe. Whenever we hung out, we all pretty much begged her to make them, so it was a staple during girl’s night.
Since the guys had a Tuesday night away game, it was the perfect time to hang out at Mila’s after work to watch, especially since we hadn’t seen each other since Mateo’s game on Friday.
Once I was settled on the couch, drink in hand, I felt eyes turn to me. I knew what they were going to ask as I took a big sip of my drink to prepare myself.
“You’ve been a bit MIA lately,” Josie remarked, glancing at me over the rim of her glass. I knew they noticed my lack of messages in our group chat the last few days.
“Sorry, work has been crazy,” I said, which wasn’t exactly a lie. Work was crazy this week with trying to finalize the deal to put the magazine in stores, working on the next issue, and trying to fend off the other magazine company that wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I just wasn’t going to tell them about this weekend with Landon. A weekend that turned into more than I think either of us thought possible. We spent the rest of Saturday and then half of Sunday together.
When I woke up Friday, I hadn’t expected to spent my entire weekend being fucked on every surface in my apartment, but I loved every second of it. It was like a gate had opened where we couldn’t get enough.
Sunday came fast, and before we knew it, we spent all weekend together. I wasn’t prepared for him to stay that long, but I didn’t complain. Not when I was the most satisfied I had ever been.
Oddly, when he left Sunday afternoon, my apartment felt a little bit empty. Because I had been so wrapped up in Landon,literally and figuratively, when Monday rolled around I was slammed with work.
I knew I could have easily told them I spent the weekend with him but part of me held back. What Landon and I were doing was just for fun, and no one really needed to know about it. Once our group did, that changed everything, and I wasn’t ready for that.
“Business is picking up, huh?” Tasha asked.
“It has. Just this weekend we’ve had at least ten businesses wanting to be featured in the magazine.”
“So, what exactly happens when someone wants to be featured?” Mila questioned.
“We look at the business or company and see what they’re about. We try to stay away from huge popular stores because they’re already known and don’t need us. Then, depending on the store or the event, we’ll ask for a small fee to be featured. If we come across a family business, we’ll feature them for free,” I explained.
“Okay, boss babe.” Mila snapped her fingers. I dipped my head in acknowledgment.
I’m a woman CEO in an industry ruled by men. Most would think women run magazines because that’s who the audience is generally for, but men have long run the media industry. When I worked at another magazine when I first graduated uni, I watched as men were rewarded for doing nothing while women got zero credit for doing a lot.
Paving the way as a woman-owned magazine was important to me, and I’d gladly hold the Boss Babetitle.
“We should all pay to be featured and have an entire page dedicated to us,” Tasha joked.
“Have a huge photoshoot with outfit changes,” Mila added.
“Love that idea.” Tasha beamed. “We could do those ‘beer pictures’ that girls do and give to their men.”
