Cupids and Crossbows

Puddings and Persuasions - II

After a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence and me trying to control my racing thoughts Kyle broke the silence. “It's been a long time since the whole g**g got together, and we don't know when we will get an opportunity again" he finished with a soft sigh. That was true though. Being busy lawyers, Kyle and Jason had been working day and night on an important case for the past couple of months. They had yet to get a proper break. Also, it had been nearly four months since we met Justin, as he was working in LA and visits rarely.

Oh, Justin! Where do I even start?

Justin is a great guy as well. I know I know I had been saying that about every person I had mentioned so far. But what can I say? It's the truth. I have found a great group of friends here in Boston. Frankly, I am happy with the way things turned out for me after moving to a new country. Justin is a great listener. Even though none of my friends knew about my past or what happened over in London, I had almost emptied my heart's contents to him one day. I was not even that drunk on that day. He simply had a quality to him that you would be tempted to speak your mind and tell him anything and everything that was bothering you without feeling vulnerable. He made you feel safe to share your deepest and darkest secrets. It is that safe feeling that he brought to me, which made him attractive. Even if I was enticed by him for a short period.

As much as I would like to meet everyone, hearing Justin was going to be there with us had brought mixed feelings to me. I don't know if I am ready to meet him. At the same time, I wanted to spend a night with my friends, away from all my work. After all, I needed to let loose and get a break from stalking a so-called 'young and eligible entrepreneur' online. I should return to the reality of my life, to appreciate and spend time with the people who are putting great effort to keep me happy and feel loved.

"OK, Kyle. I will be there. Honestly, I want to spend a carefree night with you guys without my brain cramping from being overused" I said with a genuine smile.

"Awesome! See you on Friday A!" he replied and as he was about to hang up I could hear him chiding Jason for jumping on the couch and questioning him if he was dropped in the head when he was a kid. To be honest, Jason was still a kid contradictory to the fact that he was over thirty. Imagining him jumping like a monkey on the couch brought an involuntary chuckle to me. I shook my head at the mental image.

"Alright, we're all set. I'll come to get you at 6 today," Sarah said before leaving my office. Finally! She was out of my way, and I could get back to my work. I realized I still had fifteen more minutes for the meeting. I pulled up the presentation when a thought stopped me in my tracks. Wait! Did she say she would pick me up today? But today is Wednesday, right? Am I working so hard that I no longer keep track of what day it is? I glanced at the bottom of my computer screen. Yup! Today is Wednesday.

"Sarah! You said Friday, isn't it? Then why do you want to pick me up today?" I asked almost guessing why and slightly dreading her reply. "We have to get me a new outfit of course," she said giving me a look like it was quite obvious, and I was silly for even asking her that. Oh right! One more thing about Sarah. She is a compulsive shopaholic. She had to get a new dress for every occasion - be it a simple visit to a club or an important wedding. If she had saved the dollars that she had spent on some ridiculously pricey party wear, she wouldn't be living out of peanut butter and frozen yogurts at month-end. Anyway, try telling her that you would have better chances of getting your throat slit than making her spend less. Before I could open my mouth to refute, she rushed holding up her index finger with a stern tone "No ifs and buts. You are coming with me hon. And that's final.” She sauntered off before throwing me a final flying kiss and walking backward out of my office.

I'm pretty sure this weekend is going to be exhausting for me. No matter how many times I shake my head, I can't believe I got myself into this mess.