"Did something seem off about Caroline, Friday night?" As I joined Roxanna for her lunch break at Cremy, an ice cream and dairy restaurant, I asked her. When I started working, I had one more week of freedom, which I used to binge on the foods I missed from California. Josiah and I went to Bigga Burger yesterday. In an effort to learn more about what transpired when they were hooking up, I asked him the same question. He was a typical guy and didn't understand what I was saying.
"Undoubtedly, but I only have one hour for lunch. Can you supply me with additional details?" Roxanna scoffed over the table at me.
I glanced at her over my shoulder. Caroline and she get along well, at the most. Roxanna didn't think much of Caroline when I initially started hanging out with her. She came to the conclusion that Caroline was beneath us. I made the point that although it could matter in a friendship, it wouldn't in a relationship. She implied that I would be demoted from her level if I continued to think that way.
"Her and Josiah…" I said while digging into my birthday cake sundae.
"Evidently, I did observe that as well. I'm fairly certain it was caused by the fact that Josiah couldn't take his eyes off of you," Roxanna said this as a matter of fact, while taking a bite of her black forest sundae.
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. You know it's not like that."
"Maybe not for you," she countered.
"Okay. Even if it is, which I don't believe, why would Josiah be so defensive?"
"Aside from the fact that he's attempting to safeguard his priceless Katypad?" She teased me. I stuck out my ice cream-covered tongue at her.
"Nasty!" She said, throwing a crumpled napkin at me. "But I'll be honest—I'm not sure. Josiah refused to elaborate, only letting me know that they had broken up. Caroline rejected my attempts to get in touch with her for the answers." Roxanna finished, with a huff.
I could tell that she was becoming increasingly irritating to me. As Roxanna was accustomed to getting her way, she was likely irritated when Josiah refused to give her the information. She was probably furious when Caroline ignored her.
I changed the subject. "How about spicy lo mien for dinner tonight? Do you still have the recipe?"
"Yes, it was on Pinterest. If you just pick up the ingredients, I'll cook when I get home," she responded as we gathered up our trash to leave.
"You know I can cook. I don't mind," I said, throwing the trash away.
"I mind. I'm reclaiming my position as queen chef in the kitchen."
"It was one dinner," I said, laughing at her.
On Friday night, Leon boasted that he had the ideal scenario. Josiah had made fun of the fact that he had always believed the two of us together would form the ideal woman. Leon argued that perfection was us. He claimed that you must endure the rain in order to see the rainbow
"Leon can't shut up about it," she countered as we reached our cars. "I'll send you a list of what I need. I'm going to blow his mind tonight!" She schemed, smiling.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just, you know, blow him?" I joked.
"Oh, I'm doing that too…"
I groaned. "Ewww, too much info."
"You asked. Perfection, all in one woman. I fulfilled any and all desires. I'm gorgeous, endearing, quick-witted, and damn good at everything I do," she announced, gesturing up and down her body. I laughed at her before we got into our cars and headed our separate ways.
*****
Caroline and I went mall shopping the following weekend. For my first day of work, I was unsure of how to dress. I was aware that in the initial work, I would be reviewing customers' portfolios. Fortunately, I only needed to buy shoes and maybe some relaxed black pants because my uniform consisted of a company-issued shirt and any bottoms other than jeans. I reasoned that looking for a decent outfit for my first day wouldn't hurt. First impressions, yes?
"Ooooh, Victoria's Secret has a sale," Caroline exclaimed as we walked by the store.
"Working clothes, Caroline," I reminded her as we passed it.
"Fine. Work clothes first," she replied as we went into H&M.
As usual, we started at the clearance section. Caroline was on a tight budget, and I've never been one to splurge heavily on clothing. I used to feel overweight in everything, so it didn't really matter how much money I spent on clothing. I tended to keep with comfy and loose clothing. Although I still chose comfort, my Californian cousin Janica taught me how to adorn my body more attractively.
Caroline made it her personal goal to upgrade my clothes. Before moving on to the usual racks, she chose a pair of khaki pants from the sale section. I let her lose her mind. Even at full price, H&M was still preferable to many department stores. I must admit, I was swayed by her excitement for shopping.
"So what's going on with you and Carter?" Caroline asked me, holding up a red, assertive, low-cut, hi-low maxi dress.
"Nothing…" I eyed the dress. "I have way too much boobage for that."
"Exactly! If you were wearing things like these around Carter, that 'nothing' would change into something.," she suggested, putting it in the pile.
"I can't even get him alone, even if I just wanted sex." I finished.
Carter has recently been very busy. Even after I invited him last weekend he chose not to go out with us. When I knew Shana had CJ. He had CJ this past weekend, so hanging out would also include CJ. While I loved my time with CJ, I was unable to discuss 'us' with Carter while CJ was present.
In order for me to try on the clothes we chose, we went to the dressing room.
"Carter is hot. I'm sure he can find time for hooking up. If he's not already…" Caroline hinted over the door dividing us.
That burns. Despite the fact that I have thought about it before. I'm not naive enough to think he hasn't hooked up with anyone. The crucial fact is that he is single. Leon and Roxanna both agreed that he hadn't brought any girlfriends over recently.
On Facebook, I conducted my own research. There were several female posts on his feed, including those from female friends who had tagged him, female churchgoers who had inquired about when he would bring CJ to worship, and even some mothers from CJ's school and extracurricular activities who had liked his status. There was just one girl that he dated that I was aware of, but she had long since left the picture.
"That's why I'm waiting to talk to him. I don't want it to be just sex. I want more," I said, slipping the red dress over my head, before stepping out of the dressing room
I whirled around to face the mirror. It did have a good appearance. The crimson and white stood out beautifully next to my tan skin. The shorter hem in the front made my legs appear long and slender. My cleavage is evident but not tacky, and I'm seductive but not garish.
"I love it. When you and Carter reconcile, I can imagine you wearing it as you tell the other b****es to take a walk!" Caroline declared. I laughed at her craziness before trying on my next outfit.
We had such a good excursion to H&M that I didn't need to go to any other clothing stores. For my first day of work, I decided on pinstripe slacks and a blue linen sleeveless dress shirt. I purchased two new pairs of sneakers from Sketchers. I discovered a really adorable pair of nude heels that were on sale at another shoe store. And I had no problems walking in them! I put my lack of a mother figure to blame for my inability to walk in heels. Caroline accuses me of being uncoordinated. Whatever! We did stop by Victoria's Secret on the way out. Caroline persuaded me to make as many purchases as she did by promising Carter would see me in them.
We stopped by Quiznos on the way home. I got a huge salad and Caroline got the roast beef sandwich.
"So how's it going at the bar?" I asked her, while we sat and ate.
"It's going," she sighed, breaking to take a sip of her drink. "Being the lead bartender pays better. But, there are moments when I question whether it is worthwhile, particularly since I am expected to arrive early or remain late if one of the bartenders is running late."
"Does that happen a lot?"
"A lot more with the new HR person. I have to deal with them messing up even though we have no influence on who gets employed. It is quite annoying."
"Have you ever thought of going back to school?" I asked. She was taking courses at a community college when we met.
"Yet, sometimes the money is simply too good. I adore my residence. If I went to school, I would have to return to my previous position as a bartender. I don't want to struggle while attending classes for years," she responded.
"No, not always. It is not necessary to have a degree. Get a credential in something. The maximum length of a trade school is two years. You could resign if we moved in together.," I suggested.
She lit up at that. "Really? You would do that for me?"
"Really Caroline. I need a place to stay. Why not move in together?"
"What about Roxanna?"
"Leon is with Roxanna. I feel as though I am stealing their time. I'm just staying there till I get paid so I can show that I have a job and qualify for an apartment, or anything suitable," I explained.
"Oooh, that's perfect! I can look into us getting a two-bedroom town home at my apartment complex. It'll be like 500 a month for both of us," Caroline said.
"Sounds like a plan. Get on it Roomy!"