Ruth: I’m still on the fence.
Dee: You can’t punish him because he told you the truth. He’s the best in the business and it will take a long time to find a replacement. Plus, if he leaves, he takes Brandon with him and I want to have that man’s babies!
Ruth: Relax. I’m not going to fire him.
Dee: My ovaries are very happy to hear that.
Ruth: Nick said he and I were surf and turf.
Dee: Opposites?
Ruth: Yes! How did you figure that out?
Dee: I am the almighty wise one. Opposites attract.
Ruth: You think you know everything.
Dee: I do. Feel free to ask me for advice. Just $1.99 per minute. Yes, you appear to be opposites, but you do have at least one thing in common.
Ruth: I doubt that.
Dee: You both like to tell the truth even if it hurts. Don’t fault him for that because you do the exact same thing.
Ruth: You’re taking his side again. I’m not listening.
Dee: Yes, you are.
Ruth: I should get back. I’ll talk to you after he leaves.
Dee: Does this mean Nick isn’t getting a goodnight kiss from you?
I turned my phone over so there was no chance of Nick seeing that ridiculous text.
There was zero possibility of Nick and me kissing.
Ever.
It was like he said, we were total opposites.
And even if I did think he was attractive and even a little charming when he wasn’t completely annoying me, nothing would ever happen between us because he didn’t believe in what I did for a living. He didn’t think it was okay for me to put all my focus into my work. I wanted a man who would let me be myself, and who would support my decisions.
I headed back outside to the patio and sat back down across from Nick, picking up my fork and taking another bite of my lasagna.
“Everything okay?” He had a concerned look on his face.
“Everything is fine.”
“Good. I was worried that I had upset you or annoyed you.”
“Upset me, no. Annoyed me, yes.”
He nodded. “Sorry. I tend to speak my mind, which gets me in trouble.”
I sighed. “Believe me, I know exactly how that is. I’m one of the few women working in a male-dominated industry. If I don’t speak up or defend myself or my position, they’ll walk all over me. I willneverallow that to happen.”
“Good. You shouldn’t. You’re obviously a smart woman who knows what she’s doing. And I must say I’m impressed with your drive and determination.”
He was back to compliments now?