Hita - Anita Claire Page 0,29
really for a guy.
Chapter 22 – Weddings
Savi has now given me three different auspicious dates for her wedding. Each time she thinks they set a date some important family member has a conflict and they need to set a new date. On the good side, a long engagement will give her more time to get to know Arav. If she decides she doesn’t like him, she might be able to wiggle out before it’s too late.
***
My work load is increasing, or should I say expectations of me are increasing, and my deliver dates are diminishing. I wind up spending way too much time on my weekends signing into our server and doing work, though I still make time to play ping pong in the afternoons. Actually, I think that’s what is keeping me sane. Also, Colin and I have this wild texting thing going. He spends way too much time trash talking and trying to psych me out. Actually he’s really funny.
Periodically Sherri, Kami and Caroline’s boss, joins us for lunch. She’s all excited about her wedding and tells us about looking for dresses and bridesmaid dresses. She never talks at work to her fiancé, who I actually got to meet at the Christmas party since he works with Colin.
Eating lunch with us, she says, “Finally HR and Tyler show that they don’t completely have their heads up their ass. With the big marketing re-org, Terri’s got a new assignment. Though, unfortunately for us, she’s now in Engineering. She’s working for Sid, coordinating all the engineering schedules.”
“Was that a raise or a demotion for her?” Kami asks.
Sherri shrugs before answering, “It was a diffusion of a potentially explosive situation. It’s not like you can fire someone for having an out of work relationship. HR can’t really do anything unless there’s a complaint or verification that the two are a couple. Getting rid of someone over a rumor is a sure fire way to get a big lawsuit.”
“How does she get away with this?” I wonder out loud.
Sherri purses her lips before explaining, “Guys are so stupid. Have you been around her? She has this pheromone thing going. About ninety percent of the guys stop functioning when she enters the room. She makes the remaining ten percent feel uncomfortable. When a woman says anything about her behavior, guys think we’re jealous.”
***
After work I give Juliette a call, “Have you figured out what you’re going to do after graduation?”
At first I didn’t think Juliette was listening since she doesn’t respond. Finally she says, “I either start interviewing here or…I might go to London.”
Holding myself back from gasping I sputter out, “Is this your idea or Stephan’s?”
After a very pregnant pause, she continues, “Last week he asked me if I would consider moving to London when I graduate.” After trying to control my shock I hear her continue, “It’s not likely he’ll stay in California. I guess it’s either I go to London or we break up. I’m not sure breaking up is what I want to do.”
I bite my tongue for once, finally saying, “If you’re willing to keep your options open, they’re hiring at my company. I’m working on some cool things and it’s a good place to work. If you’d like, I can get you an interview.”
Another pause before she answers, “I’m not sure where I am with Stephan and London. I’m not moving unless he really wants me there, though I’d like to keep my options open. Would it cause problems for you if I interviewed and turned the job down?”
Jumping at any thread I can to keep her here, I respond, “No, it will be cool.”
Chapter 23 - Princesses
Savi’s calls have turned into glowing stories of time spent with Arav. I’m not sure if she is convincing herself that she is falling in love with him, or if they are actually falling in love. At some level this makes me mad since I’ve gone out of my way to avoid the whole mom fixing me up ordeal, but I’m not finding anyone I’m interested in dating on my own. How can it be that Savi’s mom found her a great guy?
Kristi starts dating Tim, one of the guys we’ve been playing Warhammer with at Game Kastle. I wind up hanging with his friend, Brian. Brian’s a nice guy, but neither of us are interested in dating each other. The only big change with them dating is instead of meeting up at Game Kastle on Saturday nights, the guys