Free Cosmopolitan Girls by Charlotte Burley

his thing landing that Nike commercial. That’s some major paper.” Paris was obviously in a talking mood and I intended to take full advantage of it.
    â€œYeah, I’m proud of him.”
    â€œMe and a few of the boys took him out to celebrate last week when he got back from L.A. We got faded!”
    Troy always complained about Paris’s big mouth, but I was appreciating it this time. “Oh, that’s nice.” I hope he couldn’t tell I was getting a bit nervous.
    â€œGreat to see you, Lindsay, I’ll tell T I ran into you,” Paris says and gives me a hug good-bye.
    â€œYeah, you do that,” I said, serving up a fake smile and wishing I had a magic wand to do an abracadabra and vanish.

Chapter 14
    A Train: Next Stop Reality

    I’d waited weeks for my 4:30 meeting with Miranda but it was worth it. I was prepared. Everyone else on the account had gotten a bonus except me. I was going to go in there and come out with everything I deserved, or I was headed straight for Johnnie Cochran’s office.
    â€œI’m sorry, Charlie. I totally forgot to e-mail you. Miranda needs to reschedule,” said Miranda’s assistant, Karen, barely looking up from her computer.
    â€œKaren, you pass by my office every time you go to the ladies’ room, couldn’t you have told me earlier?” I was getting the runaround, and
she
knew that
I
knew Miranda was purposely dodging me.
    â€œI’m really sorry, but Miranda has already left for the airport. She has a meeting in L.A. tomorrow.” Karen was the gatekeeper and there was no sense in battling.
    â€œFine, then can you please put me in for her next available appointment?” I said, trying to collect myself.
    â€œNo problem, but I have to speak with Miranda first,” Karen said, expressionless.
    I dragged myself back to my office and, when I opened the door, saw that Kyle was waiting inside.
    â€œWhat are you still doing here?” I asked.
    â€œHow did the meeting go?” Kyle gave a concerned look.
    â€œIt was canceled, long story. What’s up? You look like something’s wrong.”
    â€œListen, Charlie, I know I was hard on you about Michael. Don’t listen to me. I’m just bitter about my own shit,” Kyle said, hinting he had a problem and needed an ear.
    â€œWhy don’t we walk to the subway station together and we can talk more,” I said, closing my office door. Since my big meeting had been canceled, why shouldn’t I leave a little early?
    As we made our way to the train, Kyle told me all about a man he’d met online. They had e-mailed back and forth for a few weeks and finally decided to meet.
    â€œSo I show up but there’s no mystery man. I told him what I would be wearing and gave him a description so that he could find me. But I think he saw me and decided I wasn’t fine enough so he left,” Kyle said disappointedly.
    â€œYou do know it’s his loss,” I said, giving him an encouraging squeeze and a kiss.
    â€œYou think?”
    â€œI
know.
”
    â€œI knew you’d make me feel better! Ooh, I swear, Charlie, men are so shady out here. I think that’s why I was so quick to jump on Michael’s case and I was wrong. You’ve got a good hardworking brother, because honey, I’ve seen the way he treats you. Flowers and everything.” Kyle stopped and grabbed my hand. “I wish I had a man like Michael.”
    â€œKyle, I know Michael loves me, but that doesn’t make him innocent.” I started thinking about the harassing phone calls again and all the double shifts Michael had been working lately.
    â€œTrust your gut, but don’t get sucked into my bitterness or anybody else’s. If Michael is doing wrong, karma will catch him. Okay!” Kyle gave two finger snaps and a circle.
    â€œYou’re right about that, and don’t worry, Kyle, your Mr. Right is out there, and you’ll find