My Boyfriends Best Friend

Chapter 1

I have never participated in a walk of shame before and I didn't even have sex with the guy whose house I had just left but we stayed up too late watching movies and making out on his couch. He had brought us into his bedroom, but I stopped him before anything moved too far. I just didn't want to have sex with him on our second date but also didn't want to drive home at two in the morning. I tried to wake him up when I left at seven, but he didn't budge. I had climbed over him before taking my shoes and crossing his small bedroom into the hallway and walked up the stairs before reaching the door, slipping out into the morning air. As I turned away from the door, I can see him out of the corner of my eye. His blond hair is longer on top and perfectly styled. He has tattoos down his arms that peek out from the rolled-up sleeves of his plaid shirt. He is wearing a pair of white wash jeans and black converse. He has to be at least six inches taller than me, and when we finally make eye contact he has the bluest eyes I have ever seen. His mouth was is in a smirk and he is leaning cooly against one of the entry columns. After staring at him for about 5 seconds too long, I quickly compose myself, avert my eyes and make my way across the driveway to my car. I can't believe I almost got out of here without getting caught. I look back towards where he was standing but he has already made his way into the house and the door is shutting behind him.

I barely get to work on time, running in the door at the last possible second. Jasmine is already sitting at her desk and she looks as hung over as I feel. "Hey," I say as I slip behind my desk "how many appointments do we have scheduled for today"? I ask her as I begin the process of turning on my computer. She squints for a moment "It looks like we have about 15 interviews on the calendar," She says before snapping her gum "and hopefully, some of them actually show up today". Jasmine and I work as recruiters for a small employment agency in Bothell. Jasmine has been here a little longer than I have but neither of us has. experienced the off-season. During the summers everyone wants to be out having fun and partying and they aren't looking for long-term commitments to projects or work. Honestly, it was kind of refreshing meeting Jasmine, she likes to get out there but she has also worked hard to get to where she is. I graduated High school a few years ago but decided not to go to college because living with my parents was never a good option and I didn't think I could afford living in the dorms and paying for college by myself. I have had quite a few different jobs over the years but this job was the first one I was really proud of. I got to spend my days helping people find their dream jobs and helping my clients find their dream employees, it was rewarding especially when you make a good match. I walk into the breakroom to put my lunch into the fridge. When I look up I am looking in the mirror that hangs above the sink and I see myself. I stand at 5'3", round and curvy with honey blonde hair that falls just past my shoulders. I am wearing a black blouse with white dots and a pair of black work slacks. I am a flats girl through and through and have on my favorite pair of black mary janes. I have a soft round face and hazel eyes that are almost always hidden by my glasses. It has been hard to accept how I look when my whole life I have been considered fat but I have come to terms with my body and Jasmine has been helping me dress better. I like the way I see myself now most of the time but I still have days where it's hard. I heave a sigh and head back to my desk.

Once my computer is on and I have responded to my most urgent work emails, I pull my cell phone out of my bag and immediately see a text from Darren:

Darren: I missed you this morning. When did you leave?

Me: I had to be at work by 8:30 am. I tried to wake you up to let you know, but you did not budge, lol.

Darren: Sorry about that. Can I make it up to you by having you over for dinner? Maybe tonight? If that's not too soon.

I thought about this for a minute. We had only been on two dates, and things were moving fast, but I also needed to have sex, and this guy seemed genuinely nice and friendly.

Me: Sure, why not? Do you need me to bring anything?

Darren: No, it is all taken care of! Meet at my house at 6:30 sound okay?

Me: See you then

The rest of the day flies by in a blur, we had 10 of our 15 interviews show up today, which had been astonishing considering last week we could barely get one person to show up. Juan had to come out of his office and help us with onboarding which almost never happens. Juan was not what I expected for someone managing an employment agency. He was a short Hispanic man with tattoos on his neck and down his arms. He was always dressed in suits that looked just a little big on him and he never had a strand of hair out of place. He smoked roughly 30 cigarettes a day and always seemed to be in a good mood. He was an excellent manager, mainly, because he gave Jasmine and I space to grow as recruiters and gave us the support that we needed to be successful.

As our last interviewee left for the day, we locked the door to our small office and sighed in communal relief. I was exhausted. Talking to so many people about their lives, dreams, and ambitions can really put your own into perspective. I look down at my phone surprised to see that it is already after five-thirty. With traffic I was barely going to make it home and then to Darrens by six-thiry. I throw my phone in my purse and finish organizing my paperwork for tomorrow. I said goodbye to Juan and Jasmin getting a wave from both of them as they continue to have a discussion about a candidate. When I step outside, it is still hot, and the sun feels high in the sky even though it is late afternoon. I take a deep breath before walking over to my car. I don't drive anything too flashy, a simple grey honda accord. I did get the slightly upgraded one because it has leather seats and a sunroof. This care is my baby, I bought it right before my ex and I broke up and I am so glad I did.

I only live about ten minutes away from where I work which makes my commute an absolute dream. Before I know it I am pulling into my grandparent's driveway. This is where I landed after my break up with Peter, my grandparents let me into their home with open arms. They have always had this mother-in-law suite behind their house and everyone has had their time. Resting, healing, and being close to people that love you it has really helped lately. They were actually the ones that encouraged me to get out there again and actually act like a twenty-one-year-old.

I have always been the adult in my life, I lived with my mom primarily and she wasn't always the most responsible person. I've had a job since I was fifteen and as soon as I graduated high school I moved to Colorado with a girl that I kinda sorta knew from high school. That situation sounded better and safer for me than living with either of my parents. My relationship with my mom has barely survived since then hanging on by mere threads. My dad was a little different, I loved my dad and he was great when I saw him I just don't see him all that much. Major holidays, birthdays, and the very occasional stop by when he needed photos for Facebook. Regardless that relationship isn't thriving that much at the moment either. I would say that the best time I had growing up was with my grandparents, they have always been there for me when my parents weren't. If it hadn't been for their influence I honestly don't know who I would have been.

I walk through the main house just to say hi to everyone and let them know that I will be going out tonight and I might not be home for dinner. I run up to my little house and quickly get to work on making myself presentable. After about 20 minutes I am ready to head out and I am just barely going to make it on by 6:30. Even though Darren told me not to bring anything to dinner, I couldn't help but get a nice bottle of wine. Well more like I asked my grandparents for a bottle of wine they had lying around and promised to get them a new one because I took way too long getting ready. I was standing outside his door trying to pluck up the courage to ring the doorbell. When I looked at my phone the time was 6:38, I was a little late but I mean who isn't late to a dinner party. I take a deep breath letting any remaining fear lift away from me when I open my eyes again I am ready.