26

Ansley rushed out the door the next morning without breakfast.

Jason’s assistant called to notify the staff of an impromptu staff meeting. Davis had just finished preparing breakfast, she hated to have to miss out, but she didn’t want to be late.

She walked into the building and took the elevator to the 4th floor.

As soon as the doors opened, Ansley jetted down the short hall and into the large meeting room.

A few other staff members straggled in behind her. She wasn’t the only one dragging.

“Good morning, everyone,” Jason greeted as he strolled into the room. “First, I want to thank everyone for the amazing work done on the last three issues. We have some great reviews on several of the articles. Readers were very vocal about one article in particular—they want to see more like it. Ansley, would you like to be our new Health and Wellness Feature Writer?”

Ansley stared at Jason with her mouth gaping open. She was only able to compose herself enough to nod her acceptance.

The other staffers started to laugh and congratulate her on the good news.

Inside, Ansley wanted to get up and do the wobble. It was hard, but she restrained herself and maintained her composure.

Throughout the meeting, her mind was dancing with ideas for future features for her section in the publication. Her section. She loved the sound of that.

After the meeting, Ansley went to her cubicle to digest all that had just happened. Her phone rang. It was Simeon and Ansley could not wait to share with her the good news.

“Hey girl,” she said. “You won’t believe what just happened. Jason gave me a feature section that is mine and only mine. I’m so excited.”

“That’s great news, Ans. We haven’t talked much since you’re all booed up.”

“Oh,” she replied. “You’ve been pretty busy yourself.”

“Yeah, I guess. Being with Charles has been fun, but I miss hanging out with you. You know some girls’ time,” Simeon responded.

“Same here,” Ansley stated. Their friendship was still on the mend, so an outing might be just what they needed.

“Are you free on Friday? There’s a new boutique that I represent opening in Buckhead and we are hosting a grand opening soiree.”

“That sounds awesome,” she responded. “I’d love to come. Let me just check to see what Davis has planned and I’ll give you a solid answer.”

“Wow… are you serious? Your schedule is solely based on what he wants now?” Simeon asked, her tone laced with disappointment. “Listen, before you think I’m jealous… I’m totally not, by the way, but since you and Davis made it official, it’s like you lost some of yourself. It’s like y’all are Velcro. Just so you know, it’s okay to still have a life outside of him.”

Ansley rolled her eyes heavenward. “That’s not fair, Simeon. I still do things solo all the time. We both have been pretty busy, but why don’t we meet for lunch today…that is, if you’re free.”

“I guess that’s fine. I have an appointment around two o’clock, so I can meet you before noon for an early lunch.”

“That works for me,” Ansley responded. “We can meet at Yard House in Atlantic Station.”

The call left Ansley wondering if she had been neglecting her friends. She tried to remember the last time she spent time with or had a long chat with Simeon or Lanae. She and Davis did spend a lot of time together, but that is what usually happened with couples. Lanae hadn’t complained, but the difference is that Lanae was married with children. Ansley decided to make a concerted effort to work on her relationship with Simeon. Starting today.

Ansley arrived at Yard House a little before 11:30am.

Simeon was already there and was about to be seated at a table. “I guess this is perfect timing,” she said.

“Hey lady,” Ansley said, and they embraced.

As they released, she noticed that Simeon seemed a little melancholy. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her fit frame now appeared gaunt. Her hair lacked luster, and was a tad disheveled in comparison to the well coifed, luminous appearance of Simeon’s dark brown hair. “You don’t look like yourself. What’s bothering you?”

They were seated on the patio. As soon as the server took their drink order and walked away, Simeon opened up. “I’m just tired, honestly. I lost a major account last week and my boss is livid. This boutique grand opening is days away and the marketing campaign has not gone as planned. I can’t afford another slip up.”

“What happened?” Ansley asked puzzled.

Simeon rolled her eyes. Her face set in a deep frown. “They took an account I was assigned to work and gave it to this other guy Rick, who has been trying to steal it from me. Anyway, once I found out, I exploded on the guy.” She paused. “I apologized, but since then, they have been punishing me with mediocre accounts.”

Ansley recalled when Simeon flipped out on her at Tin Lizzy’s. This erratic behavior was not characteristic of the Simeon she called friend.

“I hate to hear that….is there anything I can do? Maybe I can pitch the story to Jason for our live stream and do a video interview with the boutique owners at the launch party. Do you have a lot of media coverage?”

“No, I don’t…,” Simeon said. “I didn’t even think to ask Jason myself. I’ve just been so stressed out.”

“I’ll definitely talk to him about it today,” Ansley replied. “That story could help both of our jobs.”

“Congratulations again on the promotion. You totally deserve it,” Simeon said her voice lacking emotion. If anyone were to have walked by and heard her, they would have assumed she was being sarcastic, but Ansley knew Simeon was hurting and didn’t take it personal.

“Thanks. I do deserve it, don’t I?” she said with a chuckle. “But in all seriousness, I’m sorry if I’ve been neglecting our friendship.”

“Girl, I was just tripping,” she said. Simeon’s eyes lit up. “I should be used to being without. I’m never first on anyone’s list. I don’t know why I thought you should worry about speaking with me. I’m no Lanae, I’m not on her level.”

Simeon’s shoulder lifted in a half shrug. She sighed audibly.

“Charles is such a sweetheart. He’s been really great. I’m inviting him to the party too. You should bring Davis if you want, but we can leave them both at home and mix and mingle like we use to. Goodness, I’m so hungry. I really want dessert, though. What are you ordering?” Simeon searched the menu. “Girl, have you tried these Firecracker Wings? I’m about to have a cheat day and get that. You decided yet?”

Ansley scrunched her face. She shook her head, but did not acknowledge Simeon’s shift from brooding to upbeat. If she had to choose, she’d much rather see her friend happy.

The server returned with their drinks.

Simeon took a sip of her drink. “Cheers to your promotion and to—our friendship.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Ansley said, while raising her glass.

Davis made himself at home in Ansley’s condominium. He had hoped by now that they would be living together. He was getting tired of motel stays and bumming on the sofa at Beau’s midtown townhouse. Since Ansley had not given him a key, he decided to do it himself. A couple of days ago, when she was cooking and ran out of ingredients, Ansley sent Davis to the store to get what she needed.

While he was out, he stopped to have a key made at a nearby Walmart. This was the first time he had used the key; he needed money and knew he just where to get it.

Davis had taken Ansley’s checkbook out of her purse the night before, and placed it somewhere he could access it. Since they first met, she seldom reached for her check book. She paid her bills online and purchased everything with cash or credit. He figured he would have some time to do what he needed before she noticed. Plus, she was always misplacing things in that oversized tote she carried, he felt certain he would be able to replace it before she noticed it was gone.

Pulling the checkbook from behind one of the portraits on the mantel, Davis wrote out a check addressed to cash, so that he could take it to the check-cashing spot up the street. He needed funds fast, so he did what he had to do. While he wanted to turn his life around, he still had to take care of debts. Besides, they were a couple now, what was hers was now his. He would be able to explain away her doubts like he did with them all.