Susan had spent the last few weeks catching up on work that she missed while in Michigan. There was a lot but Edward had kept all the major fires at bay. When she returned to New York, she called Bizzy. They picked up where they left off. Susan wanted to be with her and knew that for now she could handle the little snippets of time Bizzy had to offer.
Tonight she was making amends to her friends. Elise and Edward had been patient with her, but a few days ago they both had given her 'the losing yourself in a new relationship' lecture. She knew that meant you are not spending enough time with us, so she invited them both to dinner. They'd all dressed up and hit the hottest newest restaurant in town.
"Oh My God I can't believe you did that!" Susan was laughing so hard she choked on her drink.
"She deserved it. She tried to play me." Edward was telling one of his infamous 'date from hell' stories. Of which he had many.
Elise ordered champagne for the table. "I would like to propose a toast." She held up her glass. "To friendship. The only relationship that lasts forever." The clinked glasses and sipped. "OK. More gossip."
"Susan dish on the redhead," Edward said.
"There isn't much dish."
"Ok. I'm sorry when I said dish I meant how's the sex."
"Well, if you want that type of dish… It's amazing. The best I've ever had."
"That's it that's all I get. Two women having sex I need details."
"I don't," Elise chimed in. They all laughed.
"Just tell me that she looks as good out of a suit as she does in it." Susan just smiled.
"Guys, I don't know what I am going to do. How long can you have an affair?"
"Has she told you she loves you?" Edward asked.
"Well, you know what happened at the beach. Well, we spent her last night in Michigan together. I heard her say 'I love you' when she thought I was asleep. But she hasn't said it directly to me."
"Then maybe you need to say it again." Elise said. "She's probably afraid of it. Make it easier for her. Let her know that regardless of whether she can return it you love her." Susan looked at Elise stunned. So far Elise's only statement on her relationship with Bizzy had been get out and get out now.
"I'm sorry. Did you just say what I think you did? Are you feeling ok?" Edward said placing his hand to Elise's forehead.
"I know that I have not been the number one champion of Bizzy's, but when she came looking for you that day I changed my opinion." Elise sipped her champagne. She had struggled with whether she would ever tell Susan this next part. "In the world Bizzy and I come from expectation is everything. Woman like us have responsibilities that are shoved down our throats from birth. Those expectations are clear, marry the right man from the right family and raise perfect children. Bizzy Montgomery has attained the highest level of success. Despite the Captain's activity Bizzy is the queen of her world. People scramble to simply keep up with her. This is who she was bred to be. And if she left it will destroy her children.
"But Susan when she walked into our apartment I didn't get what I expected. I thought all you were to her was a distraction. And that night her eyes told me that she loved you. I could destroy her. One word to the right person from me could make her entire world collapse, but she wanted to see you more than she worried about her reputation. If you love her make it easy for her to return it."
"I don't know how to do that. She's married. And even if they divorced I couldn't assimilate into that world even if they allowed lesbian couples."
Elise took a deep breath. "You could if you worked for Bizzy."
"Excuse me. Work for her? As what her mistress?"
"No, her social secretary. Bizzy fired her last one for sleeping with the Captain."
"Does that man sleep with everyone?" Edward said.
"Just about," Elise responded.
"What the hell is a social secretary?"
"It's like a personal assistant. Only they usually handle every social event of the person they work for. You would be required to spend most of your day tending to every need." Edward choked on his drink. "Even those, though they are not usually in the job description. Bizzy's last secretary lived on the estate and worked directly for the family."
"Ok let's pretend as if this is actually realistic. I would be bored senseless. Bizzy plans what two parties a year? That job is way below my skill level."
"Bizzy plans and/or host more like 20 or more events a year, from small social teas to grand scale balls. She sits on the board of more than 15 foundations and runs the Bradford Foundation. She has the busiest social calendar ever. You would plan some of the biggest parties ever. And spend more time than you ever imagined with Bizzy."
"Doesn't she usually hire out for these events?" Edward asked the question Susan was thinking.
"Only because she has to; her mother saw to the details of every event herself. Her aunt had a social secretary. Because of the size of some of the events, Bizzy usually hires out. But the family is looking for a new social secretary."
"How do you know this?" Susan said.
"The woman that married my father is afraid her precious assistant is going to apply and Bizzy is going to snap her up - which may actually happen if the girl was even remotely competent. Either way the foundation is taking the initial resumes. The top four people will be interviewed by Bizzy for her final approval. She has already rejected 30 applicants."
"You really think I should submit my resume."
"I already submitted it. You have an interview on Monday morning with the director of the Foundation. From there he will decide whether to recommend you to Bizzy. I can't tell you whether you should go to the interview. What I can tell you is that if you two want to be together. This may be the only way."
"If you love her you should at least try." Edward squeezed her hand.
She looked at both her friends. For Elise to do all of this work she had to be giving her blessing. Susan wanted to be with Bizzy more than she could have imagined. She drew in a breath and nodded her head. "OK, I'll go to the interview. But let's get drunk tonight so I can nurse a hangover tomorrow instead of changing my mind."
Edward ordered tequila.