Free Come with Me (Let It Be Me #2) by Tiara Bosh

couldn’t find any trace of hope in me that we would still get back together.”
    “So it really is the end,” Brian said.
    Liz nodded, pretty sure of herself.
    “Has Jack accepted it?” Emily asked.
    Liz shrugged. “I think he’s gotten it that I’m serious. I hope he won’t push it anymore.” Jack was persistent this morning when they spoke on the phone, and he even sent flowers to her office. She had to call him again lunchtime to ask him to stop.
    “Let us know if he becomes a problem, okay,” Brian said.
    Liz nodded. She really hoped not.
    “Tell us about the family day,” Emily prodded, taking a spoon of salted caramel ice cream.
    “It was wonderful,” Liz gushed, remembering yesterday’s events. “The kids were adorable. Everyone was so participative. I truly felt I belonged.”
    “That’s great,” Emily said supportively. 
    “So what happens in a family day?” Brian asked. “Obviously we don’t have those in Bergdorf Goodman.”
    Liz managed to laugh.
    “We had games in the morning – you know, the usual parlor games that the kids would enjoy,” Liz described. “I joined the egg and spoon race and the caterpillar game. In the afternoon we had a bingo game, and I got to face paint some of the kids’ faces.” 
    “Was Alexander there?” Brian asked.
    “Of course,” Liz replied. “He’s great. You’d sometimes forget he’s all famous.”
    “That’s hard to imagine,” Emily said, giggling.
    “He and his girlfriend are great,” Liz gushed. “They’re fun and down to earth. Imagine, they both helped in clearing the place afterwards.”
    “Wow,” Brian said. 
    “And remember the other boss I told you about?” she asked Emily. “The one who seemed unwelcoming when I started.”
    Emily nodded.
    “Hey what’s that about?” Brian asked. 
    Liz told briefly told him about it.
    “Is he cute?” Brian asked.
    “He actually is,” Liz admitted.
    “You should let me know once there’s a job opening in the foundation,” Brian said, bobbing his eyebrows.
    “Bri…” Liz said, giggling.
    “So is he still unwelcoming?” Emily asked.
    “He was pretty nice to me yesterday,” Liz said. “So I think I’ve finally gotten everyone’s approval already. I hope by the time my six-month probation would pass, they all agree to keep me.” 
    “There’s not a doubt that will happen,” Brian said.
    Emily nodded.
    “Thanks, guys,” Liz said, thankful for their support. 
    Her friends must have found it boring listening to her about work, but they smiled at her encouragingly.
    “The silver lining is, things are going great at work for you,” Emily said, squeezing Liz’s arm.
    “Yeah,” Liz agreed. She then turned to Brian. “So what’s the latest with you and Dave?”
    Brian beamed, and immediately hid his smile. Liz knew Brian well enough to know he was holding back. It dawned on Liz he must have been hesitating to talk about the new guy he was dating when Liz just broke up with Jack.
    “Hey, as you can see, I’m not really all fragile right now. So go ahead and talk about Dave,” she urged.
    Brian looked at Liz for a second before starting to speak. “He told me he isn’t seeing anyone else.”
    “That’s great!” Liz said, genuinely happy for her friend. She hasn’t met Dave, but seeing how happy Brian was, was enough for her. Brian has been through some rocky relationships over the past few years. She didn’t want to see him get hurt again.
    “So if you girls are up for it, we can have drinks with him this weekend,” Brian said slowly.
    Liz and Emily looked at each other and grinned. Having Brian introduce Dave to them was a huge step. There have been guys from his past that Liz and Emily never met.
    “Of course we’re up for it!” Emily said.
    “Okay, I’ll arrange it,” Brian said, a bit shyly.
    Liz and Emily shared another look, probably sharing the same thought that Brian was truly in deep. 
    “And you,” Liz said, pointing at Emily with the