“Actually, it would be perfect,” Connie said.
“Excuse me?”
“It is a fantastic idea. You don’t want to remain in the same job for the rest of your life, and if you seduce him at least you’ll know if it is love or just infatuation. You can leave with your head held high and with more knowledge,” Connie said.
Heather shook her head. “That plan is completely flawed on so many levels.”
“Why is it?” Ashley asked.
“I have to number them? One, if I seduce him and it goes bad I have a bad reputation along with no job or references. Two, what if he’s a lousy lay, and three, what if he turned out to be everything I ever hoped for, and he crushes my heart forever?” She put her mug down.
“That could be a problem,” Ashley said. “You’ve never been in love before. How do you know you are now?”
“I don’t.”
They all gave her a condescending look.
“Okay, when I’m around him I feel different.” She knew her face would look like a strawberry in a matter of seconds. They sat waiting for her to continue.
“I’ll bite. Different how?” Amber asked.
“I don’t know. He’ll touch my hand, and before I know it my heart will beat faster. When I’m around him I like hearing the sound of his voice. He’s intelligent and smart. When he’s not being a dick, he can be very funny. I don’t know exactly how I feel. I only know that I do.” She rubbed her chest remembering his touch.
“You really do have it bad. I think we need to go shopping for some sexy underwear and more revealing clothes and plan. We’re still going to lunch at Wade’s tomorrow?” Ashley asked.
They all nodded. It had become a tradition for them to eat at Wade’s. He owned a diner on the other side of the bar. It was tasty food, and they all knew he had an eye for Connie even if her friend didn’t know it.
“Let’s get started. I’ve got a bank full of money, my bills have been paid, and I want to spend,” Amber said.
Heather laughed then went to get changed. Her girlfriends always cheered her up. She grabbed a sweater and tracksuit bottoms. When she was trying on clothes she liked the comfort of something loose.
****
At lunchtime the following day each of them was reading through the menu as Wade tried to make small talk with Connie. Ashley, Amber, and Heather giggled behind their menus pretending to read even as they all listened.
“So how do you like the club, Connie?” Wade asked.
“It’s nice.”
“And the beer?”
She winced at the question. They all know Connie didn’t drink.
“I don’t drink, but I think Heather liked it.” All eyes turned to her.
Heather lowered the menu enough for her eyes to peep over the top. “It was great.”
He nodded then went back to his note pad. Connie sipped at her water glancing down at the menu. Heather kicked his leg then pointed at her friend.
“Are you coming again?” he asked.
Heather shook her head. There was only so much they could help him with. His stumbling was losing ground. They’d known him for the last four years, ever since they’d been old enough to get into the club.
“Probably. We’re all up to a drink, but I think you need to cut her off. She can’t handle her liquor.” Connie smirked then went back to her menu.
“Will you be doing a karaoke night, Wade?” Amber asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Well I know Connie loves to sing, and a karaoke would be wonderful.”
Heather saw him change his attitude. He would do anything to gain Connie’s attention.
“Sure. I can organise a night if you want.”
Heather nodded her agreement. Even Connie gave him a dazzling smile.
Each of them ordered their food then watched him walk away before giggling.
“Will you guys stop?” Connie asked turning beet red.
“He’s got it bad, hon. You need to either nip it in the bud or take hold and enjoy the ride,” Amber said.
“He’s being nice to me. Wade doesn’t have any interest in me. I’ve seen the type of woman he likes. I’ll never be that type.” Connie sipped her drink.
None of them forced the issue. Their friendship survived because of their ability to hold back.
Heather excused herself from the table to go to the bar. Wade was on the phone, but she waited for him to finish. He nodded at her then put the phone down.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Do you have a thing for Connie?” Heather wanted to make sure she wasn’t mistaking niceness for an interest.
He glanced back at the table. She looked behind her. Connie was walking toward the ladies’ room. Heather noticed her ass was swaying to her own beat. Glancing back at Wade she saw his eyes were on her friend’s ass. She clicked her fingers in front of his face.
“Not cool looking at my friend’s ass that way.”
“But you just asked—”
“Exactly, I asked. I didn’t give you permission to gaze f**k her.”
“Sorry,” he said.
“You should be.” She paused to run her hands along the bar. “You need to make your move before another guy snaps her up. She’s hot, Wade. Don’t be scared, but put yourself out there.”
He stared past her shoulder as Connie walked back to her seat. She waited until he nodded his head then went back to her friends.
They were giggling as she took her seat. Amber sobered up first. “Let’s talk about how you’re going to get Mr. Boss’s attention.”
“Oh, I think you should hand in your notice and wear the shortest skirt possible,” Ashley said.
For the next hour over lunch and drinks her friends organised her wardrobe for the following week.
Heather absorbed all of their ideas. Some of them sounded cheeky, and she couldn’t wait to implement them. Monday morning couldn’t come fast enough for her.
She turned down the alcoholic drink and spent the afternoon sipping coffee instead. Because they had work the following day, they left each other and walked their separate ways home.
When she got to the gate for her home she was surprised to find her older brother, Elijah, sitting on her doorstep.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she asked. Heather loved her brother, but she didn’t like him very much.
“I wanted to come and see you. I’ve missed you, sis.”
She saw the suitcase next to him. Raising an eyebrow she waited for him to talk.