Free Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr Page B

rather get paid to do.”
    I leaned forward. “For instance?”
    “Manage bands. Or a talent scout. Something like that. Unfortunately I didn’t know what I wanted to be until I was already something else. Too late now.”
    “It’s never too late,” I said assuredly.
    “I suppose not,” Nicholas said, smiling.
    I could have easily ended the conversation at that point and Rob was probably wondering where I was, but I didn’t want to leave yet. “So, my high school reunion is tomorrow night.”
    Nicholas’ face brightened. “You excited?”
    “Yes and no,” I answered truthfully.
    “Hmm.” He looked at me with interest. “Tell me more.”
    I shrugged. “There are some people I’m psyched to see after all of these years. People I liked. And don’t judge, but I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how many girls got fat.”
    Nicholas made a scratching motion with his fingers. “Meow!”
    I giggled. “It is what it is.”
    Nicholas shook his head at me, but his eyes were smiling. “Girls will be girls. So, why aren’t you looking forward to it?”
    “One guess.”
    Nicholas tapped the tip of his nose and looked thoughtful. “Unrequited crush?”
    I shook my head. “Nope.”
    Giving me a knowing look, he said, “Cuz all the guys liked you back, huh?”
    Chuckling, I said, “Not exactly.”
    Nicholas stared me down in silence for a moment before lifting and lowering his shoulders. “I give up.”
    “Hannah ‘queen bitch’ Marshak!”
    Looking confused, Nicholas said, “Who is Hannah Mar…” Then his eyes widened. “Oh wait. You mean Writer Chick? Seriously?”
    I sighed. “Yes, seriously.”
    Furrowing his brow, he said, “That’s ridiculous. She’s only one person out of your entire graduating class.”
    I touched my hand to my forehead and closed my eyes. “I still can’t believe she wrote a fucking book.” I opened my eyes to find Nicholas studying me. “What?”
    “So, she wrote a book. So what? Why do you care so much?”
    “I really don’t like her, Nicholas.”
    He kept his stare on me. “Clearly. But at least you’re not in high school anymore. Once you review the book, you’ll never have to see her again.”
    Until she writes another book. I looked down at the carpet in dread. “I actually haven’t confirmed that I’m going to read it.”
    Nicholas gave me a stern look. “You’re a book reviewer. Review it like you would anyone else’s book. You’re a professional.” His face relaxing into a smile, he said, “Suck it up, Kimmie.”
    I felt my face burn. “You don’t understand.”
    Nicholas shrugged. “Okay. Then don’t even read the book and give it a shitty review.”
    “I can’t do that.” Could I?
    “Where is this shindig anyway?”
    Happy for a subject change, I said, “Soho Grand. Kind of cool that it’s in the city. I guess so many alumni live here now.”
    “That’s my hood,” Nicholas said enthusiastically. He opened his mouth to say something else when his phone vibrated.
    I glanced at his phone hoping to see who had texted him but it was too far away to do without being completely obvious. “You’ve got mail!” I said.
    Not even glancing at the phone, Nicholas said, “I’m sure it can wait.”
    “Well now I’m curious.”
    Chuckling, he said, “Okay bossy pants, if you insist,” and picked up his phone.
    I watched him roll his eyes as he read the text, but rather than respond, he placed the phone back on his desk and looked back at me.
    “Anyone interesting?” I inquired.
    Nicholas shook his head. “Not really. A girl my friends and I met at The Noho Star last night.”
    “Oh.” My stomach dropped and while I really wanted to say something more, I couldn’t find the words. I much preferred picturing him burning the midnight oil at work than flirting with pretty girls at a trendy New York City restaurant.
    “She was our waitress.”
    I nodded. “And you exchanged numbers?” On the plus side, this probably meant he wasn’t