Today was Friday, quarter to one in the afternoon. I had another fifteen minutes to get myself together and my nerves in check.
I felt eternally grateful for Sue, since she was the one to introduce me to her partners at the law firm. She was a senior partner and co-founder with one of her friends David Mallory. I'd been a classmate of his daughter, Lauren, for a few years. She was an absolute sweetheart, and since mom and Sue started dating, we kinda got back in touch with each other.
Too bad for me, there was only one downside to getting this job. I would have to spend my entire first paycheck on a brand-new work-appropriate wardrobe. There was absolutely no way in hell my collection of vintage tees, flannels, and distressed jeans would be considered business casual -as the dress code at Clearwater & Mallory required.
On the upside: Sue was an absolute hoarder, who'd been a size 8 for the majority of her business life. That meant I could just go shopping in her closet for the occasion and there was no shortage of classic, timeless pieces. I made a mental note to myself that I looked kinda fabulous in a knee-length pencil skirt. Sue paired it with a black, silky blouse that had a ribbon around the collar, and some nude pumps. With my hair in a half-ponytail I almost looked like an entirely different person.
"That's great, we'll be expecting you on Monday. As you've noticed, your designated desk is on the verge of collapsing because of the backlog we've had. But I have faith in you and your abilities, you'll have us caught up in a matter of days. I'm sure of it!" Ben shook my hand, a firm and charismatic handshake before he escorted me out of his office. I wasn't sweating like a maniac and I didn't stumble over my words. In fact, the clothes Sue put me in seemed to have gotten me some new sense of self-assurance and confidence.
"I honestly can't wait. Thank you so much for the chance you've given me, I swear I'll do anything in my power not to disappoint." I smiled, pressing the elevator button in the hallway.
"Take care, Bella, enjoy your weekend!"
"Yeah, you too! Thank you."
I was so excited I felt like my legs were vibrating and couldn't knock this giddy smile off my face even if I tried. Nothing could kill my mood today, absolutely nothing. I just got a new job, I could save up and rent a place of my own and we were going drinking with a fun group of people. TGIF. I just wondered whether Edward would be there tonight. Mom hadn't mentioned him, which was strange since she got along with Edward so well. I decided letting the thought not ruin my day, since there was a fifty-fifty chance I'd run into him at the bar. Part of me could wait to see him, but it terrified the other part. What if he'd just give me the cold shoulder? What if he brought Irina? What if they'd patched things up? What if he really thought our night together was a giant, awful mistake?
When I got back to my mother's place, there was no one there. Both my mom and Sue were out working, and they'd be home around five or six. To help mom out in the house, I did a few loads of laundry, empty the dishwasher and vacuum the floors. It would surely put a smile on my mother's face. I danced to the top forty songs of the moment and jammed along with my old-school rock playlist as I hung the dry laundry back in my closet, and it surprised me to see it was quarter to five. I did not know what we'd do for dinner, so I went ahead and ordered the three of us some pizza to be delivered around seven.
"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry! I wish you'd told me, so I could reschedule our reservation." Mom was upset since she ruined my dinner surprise. Apparently, she and Sue had been on the waitlist for a fancy new restaurant in town, and tonight was the night they'd been waiting for about four months.
"Mom, please, it's no big deal! The pizza will still be great tomorrow, besides I'm so hungry I could eat an entire pizzeria and put them out of business. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine on my own." I shrugged. It's not like being alone was one of my favorite things in the world, but I could enjoy it from time to time, and I would definitely do that tonight.
"Meet us at the bar around eight-thirty, okay?" Mom reminded me before she wrapped a scarf around her neck.
"Will do, have fun. Enjoy dinner!" I yelled before the door closed.
Once I was alone again, I let out a deep sigh. It felt good to have a little privacy, a little bit of time for myself. I turned on the television, deciding on some cringey reality show, and sat back with my four cheese pizzas.
Around eight, I decided to get ready. I wasn't planning on making a big deal and dressing up per se, but the slight chance of running into Edward Cullen left me feeling slightly nervous and jittery. I couldn't just show up in the ugliest outfit I owned, just because I wanted to show him what he was missing. He knew, of course, since he'd seen me in all my naked glory, but I wanted to let him know that yes, I was a woman and even though I told him I was falling for him, I wouldn't let him ignoring me take the best of me.
Who the fuck are you kidding, Bella? If he so much as glances at you you'll throw yourself at him and beg for another chance.
I had to be strong, stubborn. I had to be a little like Edward. Time wasn't my friend and it never had been. I was late for meeting my mother and Sue at the bar, always underestimating how long it took for me to get ready. Dressed in black, skinny jeans, and a cropped T-shirt underneath my black leather jacket, I basically ran out the door.
