Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(16)

“Okay,” Krista said after they all sat down. “Why am I so far out of the loop? Why did no one tell me Cassie was a member of our SF gang?”

Jasmine shrugged. “Never came up.”

“Okay. Fair enough. How is the job going?” Krista asked Kate.

She and Jasmine laughed. “It’s fine. We just goof off most of the day. It definitely isn’t the same without you. And the art department is nowhere near the same without Marcus! The whole company is kind of limping along.”

Krista quirked a brow. “But I heard some big accounts were coming through.”

“As soon as Sean leaves, the whole place will fall down like a domino effect. He is the one holding it all together,” Kate clarified.

“He’s got something new, though,” Krista said confusedly.

Cassie looked at her sharply. “Did he tell you that?”

“Yeah. Look, is there something I’m missing?”

“No. Sean just isn’t really talking about whatever he has coming up. I was just surprised he told you, is all.” Cassie shrugged.

“He didn’t tell me much. Just that something was in the works.”

They all nodded and shrugged. Before Krista could ask more about it, Kate started spewing off her latest dramatic episode with dating. That started Jasmine competing with her about worst first-date stories. Then Cassie and Krista chimed in. Before any of them knew it, they were neck deep in beer, and happy to stay in their seats until they had to be rolled home.

So much for seeing the town or doing dinner. Although, Krista would have dragged everyone around by the ear if Sean had agreed to dinner. Turned out he had to work and couldn’t get out in time. Or even later to meet them after. In other words, he didn’t want to see her. It didn’t need to be any more clear. And she didn’t need any more pain witnessing it.

“What about you?” Jasmine asked at one point when Krista returned from the bathroom. It was about seven in the evening and Krista had a sound buzz on.

“What about me, what?” she asked, noticing a hot guy at the bar.

“Why aren’t you engaged by now?”

Krista choked on her beer. A piercing stab went through her heart. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, every time we hear from you, you talk about some guy taking you out, or cooking for you, or giving you a warm homecoming. Marcus sent over his picture. He’s hot. What are you waiting for?” Jasmine was looking intently at Krista.

“Yikes. I don’t know. The sky to fall? We’ve only been together a year. We need to move in together before marriage.”

“When is that going to happen?” Kate asked.

“Why? Is there a bet on or something?”

Kate shrugged. “You usually go full speed ahead when you want something.”

It was Krista’s turn to shrug. “I don’t know. Life is busy. Work is super crazy right now. I just haven’t really had time for a social life.”

Jasmine said, “Well, fill us in on your glamorous life! Marcus says you are kicking ass and taking names. I feel like we are out of touch.”

“Why do you all keep applying ‘glamorous’ to my life?” Krista shook her head. She had been in constant contact with Kate and Jasmine, mostly through email. She told them everything of note. She figured Marcus liked to spin tales of grandeur.

“Not all that glamorous, no. I work my ass off. I wake up, surf, go to work, come home, do my fitness routine, then go to bed. Every once in a while, I go out with Marcus or Ben. I make time for Chet. Oh yeah, and I travel all the freaking time.”

“Yeah, but, everyone in your office thinks you rock as a boss, right? I mean, we knew that, but still,” Kate said, eyeing some guy that just came into the bar.

“Don’t bother, he’s g*y,” Jasmine shot at Kate.

“I know. I flirted with him last week. I still like to look!” Kate retorted. Cassie laughed at her and followed her gaze.

Krista continued to answer their question. “Work is pretty awesome, yeah.” She took a sip of beer. “I like what I do and who I work with. I’m just…I don’t know. It’s just a bit lonely, you know? I didn’t want to leave San Francisco. But, it seems Jim is determined to follow me around and piss on my parade.”

“Speaking of.” Krista continued, missing the glance between Cassie and Kate, and trying to throw off the sudden pallor of their conversation. “Just throwing it out there: I have an opening in my department. I know you guys are probably tired of living in my shadow, but if—”

“Tired of living in your shadow?” Jasmine laughed. “Yeah, right. You find jobs, then bring us on for more money. It sounds like a dream to me.”

“Well, it’s out there. Just sayin’. And the weather is fab. But I only have one opening.”

“One opening and an extra bedroom for the freeloader who has to find their own job. I’m in. I’ll take freeloader status.” Kate raised her hand.

“Seriously?” Krista asked excitedly.

Kate and Jasmine both shrugged at the same time then started laughing. They all looked at Cassie.

“Don’t look at me! I have a job. That I like. Maybe someday if the winds are right, I’ll move to L.A., but not yet.”

“Spoiled sport!” Kate said.