Randi listened, something niggling in her gut.

"I mean,reallysexy. You should work for one of those 900 number lines."

A smile broke out on Randi's face. "Oh yeah?" she said, voice dropping to an intimate level. "Would you call and ask for me?"

"You know it. But until then, I'd like a mocha breve, heavy on the mocha."

"Wouldn't you rather heavy on the breve?"

A wonderful peel of laughter registered through Randi's earpiece. "That, too."

Randi was excited now, opening her window and stretching herself out, trying to see, though she could see nothing but the corner of the building. "Please pull forward," she said. Within moments Canton's black Jeep came into view, the driver grinning from ear to ear. "You are such a shit!" Randi exclaimed, leaning out the window again, arms opened as wide as she could.

Canton hopped out of her Jeep, accepting the tight hug, as awkward as it was. "Look at you!" she exclaimed. "A working woman, now!"

Randi looked down at her work polo and tapped the ball cap she wore with the shop's logo stitched onto it. "Hey, a girl's gotta make a living somehow. That is, until I finish my degree."

Canton was beside herself, eyes huge. "Randi!" she exclaimed, pulling her into another hug, which nearly pulled her out of the window totally. Both laughed as Randi squeezed back inside. "I'm gonna get you fired. Hey, dinner at my place tonight if you're free."

"No, no, dinner atmyplace," Randi said, grabbing a piece of paper and pen and quickly scribbling her address on it before handing it to Canton. "Seven-thirty."

Canton gave her a huge smile as she tucked the paper into her pocket. "I'm proud of you, Randi," she said softly, climbing back into her Jeep. "Now give me my total before I really do get you fired."

***

Randi checked the apartment, making sure everything was perfect and clean. She'd gotten off work at three, had class until six, then raced home to get the lasagna in the oven and then raced around like a mad woman cleaning and getting herself showered and ready. In truth, she had no idea what she was worried about, after all: itwasjust Canton. All the same, she wanted everything to be perfect.

At seven-thirty on the nose there was a knock at the door. Randi pushed a few strands of hair back from her face and walked to the door, taking a moment to make sure her heart was steady before opening it. When she did, she greeted Canton with a welcoming smile, moving aside for her to enter.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 580