a ghost from his past.”
I stop mid-sip, trying hard not to choke on the juice concoction that’s halfway down my throat.
“Yeah. You probably gave that poor guy the shock of the century.” Francesco leans against his side of the bar. “I mean, you had time to mentally prepare yourself for seeing him again, while he went in there like a blind man. Maybe he was expecting an old, lonely woman who was going to try and hump him. This date was bought after all.”
I blink and turn to Cody.
He shrugs and scratches his neck. “As much as it disturbs me to say this, he does have a point.”
“Ugh.” This time, I take several sips. Maybe I can fall into a sugar coma for a little while and escape this madness.
“Hey.” Cody’s voice is gentle, and he gives my shoulder a squeeze. “You knew this wouldn’t be easy, but it’s done now. You did what you wanted to do. Maybe things will be better when you see him next time.”
“Next time?” My eyes widen when I look at him.
“Berkeley isn’t a small town, but it’s not a metropolis either. You both live and work here, so it’s possible you’ll run into him again, right?”
“Oooooh, this will be so juicy. I can already taste it.” Francesco’s voice is the opposite of Cody’s. He sounds like he’s already looked too deep into the cookie jar, ready to bounce off the walls from excitement like a five-year-old on a sugar high.
“Checco, not helping.” Cody gives him a look that makes Francesco raise his hands in defeat.
“Fine, fine. I’ll go make sure the stage is ready for tonight’s karaoke session. You two talk about whatever boring, non-juicy stuff without me.” He sighs and leaves.
His theatrics make me chuckle. “Gosh, I missed this. It’s never as good in text or any other form of electronic communication.”
“He’s one of a kind.” Cody smiles his special smile that’s reserved for when he talks about his partner in crime. Then he looks at me. “Speaking of work though. How are things going?”
I welcome the change in topic and try to push Noah out of my mind.
At least, for now.
Plus, I love talking about my work. I love thinking about my work. The doodles I did as a chubby toddler have matured and developed to the point where I became a children’s book illustrator—with the occasional dabble into other areas like middle school or young adult if the job sounds interesting, and the pay is fair.
It brings me a joy I don’t think any other job could ever match. There’s just something about the sweetness and innocence, not to mention the pure joy that practically jumps off the pages, and I enjoy being a part of it.
I shrug. “It’s going okay. Good. Between the publisher and my indie authors, my schedule is full.”
“So the freelancing is working out, then?”
“It is. I wasn’t sure if anyone would hire a random illustrator for their books online, but they do.” The pride is easy to hear in my voice, and I wear it like a crown because I’m proud of myself. I worked incredibly hard for what felt like a gazillion years, and it paid off.
After taking another lazy sip from his drink, he tips his head to the side. “And what about the competition?”
I draw a breath before speaking. Now that’s a totally different topic. “I really want to win it because I just know it would make such a big change in my career, but . . .”
“But?”
I bare my teeth in a grimace. “According to Gina from the office, it will come down to me and this other guy. Joe. He’s a good illustrator but also a major asshole. We’ve gotten into a few arguments online because he thinks he’s better than me, and that they’ll pick him anyway because the execs are guys and well . . . he’s one too.”
Cody’s brows shoot up before he exhales sharply. “That’s bullshit.”
“Yup. Pretty much.”
“Do you think she’s right?”
I swallow, not sure if I want to be honest not only to him but also to myself. “I don’t know. It’s possible. Wouldn’t be the first time they pick a man over a woman just because they have an extra piece of meat hanging between their legs.”
Cody chokes on his drink, and I slap my hand over my mouth.
My breath makes a hissing noise. “Sorry.”
He wipes his mouth on a napkin before dragging it down his smooth-shaven chin. “Just didn’t see it coming,