“Wes?” Mason’s voice cut into my thoughts.
“Sorry, what?”
“The content on Best Life, have you been reading it? It’s great press, even with them covering both platforms.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. More and more, I had these reminders I was unqualified to run this company. “Um, no. I haven’t.”
Cord chimed in. “I’ve skimmed bits and pieces. I forget her name, but the woman covering us is funny, and it seems like she’s having a good experience.”
Mason tapped out something on his phone. “I’d like to see how we can capitalize on other opportunities. Check it out, though. I’ve got a meeting across town, but I’m sending you the link now.” Mason gathered his things and answered a call on the way out the door.
My own phone buzzed.
Bmoney34: Reminded me of you.
Bmoney34: He really digs salad.
Cord shifted his gaze to me in his patient, I’m-going-to-wait-for-you-to-talk way.
I schooled my expression. “Sorry. Client.”
Cord nodded absently. “What did Kelsey want? You never said. It really wasn’t about business?”
“She wants to be friends again.”
“Friends or friends?” Cord’s expression said it all. Stop doing things just to make other people happy.
“I know what you’re going to say. So, don’t.”
“Okay,” he said.
“She feels bad about how she ended things.” I paced to the window. “Who knows. Maybe we could be friends.”
“Okay.”
“It’s not like I’m giving her a kidney or something.”
“I didn’t say anything.” Cord sat back in his chair and placed his palms on the table. “Just . . . watch out. I know you want to be distracted right now, but I don’t think that’s the distraction you want.” I glanced at my phone. I knew exactly the distraction I wanted.
17
LIKED BY NOMORENOSEPICKERS AND 965 OTHERS
Can you believe it’s almost April? Springtime means warmer weather and ditching these coats. I can’t wait! I’m #TeamFitMi, but I want to post about hotness today. I remember the first time I described myself as hot. I was a sophomore in college, and I said it as a joke. None of my friends laughed like I assumed they would—they thought I was serious, and the conversation kept going. All these years later, I remember that “oh” feeling when they didn’t laugh. I realized the joke wasn’t funny, that it wasn’t a joke at all. I was allowed to call and believe myself hot. I think a lot of us are waiting for permission for that moment, for someone else to validate it. I’m not waiting anymore, but how about you? Reply with “I’m hot,” and see how it feels! #TeamBritta #BodyFTW
* * *
“LOOK AT YOU!” RJ looked me up and down as we waited for our table. “Do you know how good you look in those jeans?”
“Actually, I do.” I struck a pose for my friend. Before arriving, I’d sent Wes a picture of my pedometer total with eight exclamation points, my brightly painted nails next to the red numbers.
He replied right away—Wes always replied. As expected, he asked me how I felt. I loved it when he asked that.
Next to us, Kat ended the heated conversation she’d been having with her husband. “Sorry about that. What did I miss?” Kat’s natural hair was pulled back, an explosion of curls sitting atop her head. She was schooling her expression, though it wasn’t like we didn’t know her husband was kind of a jackass and had probably just said something to upset her.
“Just that Britta is hot AF,” RJ said, waving as Del walked through the door.
Kat smiled, a real smile this time. “Britta has always been hot AF.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” I said, leaning in for a hug and seeing Del rush in the door.
Five years into his PhD in sociology, Del already looked the part of scatterbrained professor. Though always handsome, he was perpetually exhausted, and there was only ever a fifty percent chance his socks would match. “I’m starving. I didn’t have time to eat lunch today.”
I swatted at him. “Do better.” Being around Del was like having a little brother. A grown-ass little brother who couldn’t seem to stick with a research topic and was on his way to being a lifelong student.
He gave me a side hug as the hostess led us to our table. “I’ll try.”
Kat set her menu aside. Really, we always ordered the same thing, so looking was a bit farcical. “So, how is the research going, Del?”