Page 8 of The Estate
“Well, it’s better than Aloysius,” Lisa said, sending them all laughing again.
Adam arrived and set a drink down for Rachel. “This is what I love to see. My girl and her friends having a blast.”
Lottie’s eyes went wide as she looked up at Adam. Rachel swore she could see little heart emojis dancing around her head.
Popping up from her chair, Lottie grabbed Adam’s hand. “Dance with me?”
“Absolutely, beautiful,” he responded, his voice deepening.
Rachel felt herself melt into the seat. Those two together were just too sweet. Adam’s surprise appearance at the wedding and his declaration of love to Lottie was so romantic and tender, it made Rachel tear up just remembering it. She was so happy for them both and their newfound romance.
When the couple turned on the dance floor and Adam took Lottie in his arms, Rachel couldn’t resist the small sigh that escaped her. That’s what she wanted. She wanted someone as nice as Adam. Someone who looked at her like Adam looked at Lottie. Like he was the luckiest man alive. Was that too unreasonable to request?
“Yeah,” Lisa sighed. “They’re so freaking adorable. I don’t know how I’ll manage to tolerate living with her like this.
Rachel chuckled. “It’s a blessing and a curse, right?”
“It is. It really, really is.”
When the groom Jason spun Alex out into the middle of the dance floor, causing her wedding gown to flare up dramatically and swirl around her, they both smiled at Lottie’s joyous reaction. They sat watching the couples for a while.
“But it would be lovely, right?” Rachel dreamed out loud. “To have someone look at you like that.”
Lisa took a beat before responding, “I think I could get used to it.” Lisa turned to gaze at her. “But you know, in order to get there,” she jerked her head toward the dance floor. “You actually need to start dating again. You get that, right?”
Leave it to Lisa to step right on the heart of the matter. She sampled her drink, enjoying the delicious smokey taste of the bourbon, letting it distract her.
“I hear you. And I understand your point. It’s just not the right time. You know, my transfer to the new team is an immense change.” Lisa and Rachel worked together at the same accounting firm, so if anyone could understand the pressure Rachel was feeling, it would be Lisa.
“I want to give it all my focus,” she continued. “Once I’m on solid ground, I’ll think about dating again.”
“That’s the only thing holding you back?” Lisa pushed.
Sometimes it was a real pain in the ass to have friends who knew you a little too well. “Absolutely,” she said, trying to convince Lisa and herself. Even as she responded, her eyes shifted toward the door where Cal was assisting the wait staffwith bringing out the soup course. He may be annoying, but the man did cut a fine figure in a suit.
You know, you can’t let what Matt said push you off dating,” Lisa responded softly. “He was, is, and always will be an ass.”
Rachel flinched, her automatic reaction these days whenever the name of her ex-boyfriend came up. All thoughts of ogling Cal forgotten. “I understand that you are right. It’s just that some days, the negative voices outweigh the positive,” she confided.
“That’s when you call me, friend,” Lisa said. “I’ll remind you of the positive, kick the ass of the negative, and then take you out for dinner to celebrate.”
Rachel laughed and lifted her glass toward Lisa. “Cheers to that! I knew I could count on you!”
They clinked glasses, both smiling as Lisa added, “Always. What are friends for?”
Chapter Four
It’s All Work
Two Months Later
“I knew I would find you in here.” Rachel heard behind her. Turning, she saw Lisa enter the break room holding a sky blue box. “I’m happy your new co-workers haven’t broken you of your first cup of coffee habit,” Lisa continued.
“Of course not.” Rachel laughed. “It’s my ritual. I get into the office, and while my computer boots up, I grab a coffee. It’s an ideal way to start the day. Just like there’s something about three o’clock that calls out for coffee. But, I swear, what is it about people who leave the tiniest dreg of coffee at the bottom of the pot?” Rachel shook the practically empty coffee pot at Lisa. “Why don’t they throw it out and just make a new pot for everyone else?”
“Amen to that,” Lisa said, placing the box on the small round break table. “I know not using those little individual coffee pods is better for the environment, but it makes me want to slap someone when the office smells like burnt coffee.”
“That’s the worst,” Rachel agreed. “So, how are things going for you? I know that massive project came in. Are you guys able to handle the extra work?”
