Page 4 of The Top of Admiration
“That’s a sad face. Not a tired face. Trouble in paradise or you just missed me?” Other Cam, Flirty Cam, put his arm around my shoulders.
“No, it’s a tired face. You don’t know my faces.” I shrugged his arm off me.
“I’ll grab you a wine.” Lucy was on her feet before I could say no. Cordy looked at me with her “mom face.”
“Well, we’re just talking shit and drinking, but if you feel sick, you should go to bed.” My beautiful sister was giving me an out. A text arrived from Insensitive Cam.
Me: I’m sorry, babe. I really am. I wanted to spoil you tonight. Come over.
Fuck him.
Randa: Okay. No. Busy.
Now Iwasangry, not sad. I’d drink that fucking wine and five more after that.
“Nah, I’m good. Maybe a wine would help me feel better.”
“Alcohol never fixes illness, Randa,” Damon pointed out logically. Cordy stared at him. He really didn’t understand that I wasn’t really feeling unwell. Sweet, naïve Damon. Ready to believe anything.
“Here,” Lucy shoved a glass of pinot into my hand. “Drink your medicine.”
I took a few swigs, draining half the glass in world-record time.
“That’s fucking impressive,” Other Cam said, looking astonished.
“Yeah, well, I have many skills.”
“I’m sure you do. You should show me more of those.” He winked at me. This man was relentless. He wasn’t touchy-feely with me, but he flirted like it was a full-time job.
“Not in the mood.”
I finished the rest of my glass, holding it out for Lucy, who stood there ready with the bottle. She refilled me and I took some more sips, though I was a little more restrained now.
“You know Randa, some people are like stepping stones—wobbly, forgettable, and best left behind—but they are necessary to get to another place.” Lucy was big on drunken wisdom, and my sad and angry demeanor gave her the ideal opportunity to wheel it out.
“You sound like a fortune cookie,” Cordelia giggled. I laughed with her, stopping only when I saw the name that appeared on my phone.
Jessica C: I’m so sorry about how your night turned out Randa. Wanna chat?
What in the unholy, nerve-of-this-bitch, actual fuck? Obviously, Asshole Cam had already given her a rundown of our night. Hell no. This bitch needs to sashay her “just a friend” ass out of my life. I wasn’t feeling tolerant enough to ignore her.
Me: Appreciate your concern! It’s funny how rewarding staying in your own lane can be.
No doubt that message would earn me a scolding from Asshole Cam. My scowl must have been showing because Lucy narrowed her eyes at me in suspicion.
“Cam already sucking up?” she asked.
“No, it’s the ever-helpful Jess.”
“Who’s this Jess chick?” Flirty Cam interjected.
“Jess is the human version of a pop-up ad that you can’t close. She is always there, blocking the good stuff,” Cordy supplied helpfully.
“Ah, the interloper. The ‘just a friend’ chick,” Flirty Cam surmised. “I can be ‘just a friend’ if you want. Fire with fire.”
Ugh, the last thing I wanted was some Harrison–Cordy–Damon fake boyfriend scheme. It was funny to be the puppet masterof that little adventure, but I didn’t want to be a major player. Cordy and Damon ended up together, but I had no interest in Flirty Cam. He was staid and predictable, not my type. He was a nice friend though; not that we were close.
“It’s fine. It’ll die down.”
