Chapter 6: In the Know

Natalie

Natalie sat at her desk in her cozy office that she obtained when she made partner at her firm, Higley Legal Lounge. She loved her job there and the people she worked with. Their law firm was unlike any other in town because they actually gave two sh*ts about their clients. That was the main reason she tried so hard to get into this firm after graduation. Even if it meant starting at getting coffee for the lawyers and being trampled on as she climbed the ladder. It was a great honor to work there and one she never took lightly.

Most days she sat at her desk to eat her lunch. Rarely would she go out unless specifically invited to do so by a friend or colleague. Today was an at her desk lunch day. She pulled out her ham and cheddar sandwich and diet coke and was about to start eating when her cell rang. It was their friend Matt.

Matt came into their lives a few years back when he stumbled into Kinley's Korner Books one day looking for something, anything, to help him find love. He had a small crush on Kinley for a bit, but realized they were much better off as friends, so he has been in the circle ever since.

"What's up?" Natalie answered.

Natalie was surprised to hear from him. He was an architect that traveled a lot for work. Most recently he had been in Texas building a dream ranch for one of the locals who had heard about him via word of mouth. Social media was a glorious thing for a person's reputation. It literally did the marketing for you. Matt had an innocent charm about him that was carried out with one look from his emerald eyes. Natalie could never quite figure out how he had such a hard time with women. He tended to be a little on the nice side and maybe that was just something women didn't really want in a guy.

"Nothing. I just haven't heard from you in a while, so thought I'd call to catch up. Anything new?"

"Not really. Not wait, there is something new. Did you know Kinley has a secret boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend? And why is it secret? I didn't even know she was even talking to someone."

"Well, it's not her boyfriend, per say, but might as well be because she couldn't stop talking about him. We need to meet up and talk about this in person. Something just doesn't feel right to me," said Natalie as she started unwrapping her sandwich.

"Well then, I am coming to grab you for lunch, be ready."

"But wait, I am already eating--" she said and before she could finish, he had already hung up. She wrapped her sandwich back in the cellophane and shoved it back in her lunch bag.

Ten minutes later he was texting from his car telling her to get her rear down there. The other perk of being partner, long lunches.

She slid into the passenger seat of his black sedan and they drove off to the nearest Mexican place for some good queso and hot burritos, and maybe a lunch time margarita on the sly.

The waiter took their order and as soon as he was out of ear shot, Natalie swung around to face Matt ready to dive into the juicy conversation.

"So, we went out for dinner the other night--"

"--Thanks for inviting me,"

"Really?" she asked.

"I'm kidding. Continue." Matt laughed as he slapped the table.

"Stop messing around. Anyhow, some guy named Seth sent her over a flower and bottle of wine."

"Seth? Who names their kid Seth? And what kind of flower?" asked Matt.

"Right? That is what I was thinking. Red rose. Not that it matters. Anyhow, so she was busted and had to spill the beans about him then. She was talking about him as if they had known each other forever and she was already in love. She seemed different. Maybe too happy. I don't know but I didn't care for it. Something seems off about this guy and I haven't even met him yet. I am happy that she is happy but how come we hadn't heard about him yet? We are her best friends. Heck, we are her only friends."

The waiter came back with their food and drinks. Matt took a chip and scooped out a huge mound of queso, spilling half on the table. Natalie laughed.

"Can't take you anywhere!"

"Ha-ha, very funny," he said as he wiped up his mess.

"I thought it was."

"So, they literally just met, she is already smitten and acting unlike herself, right?" he asked.

"Yep, pretty much."

"Well, then we need to meet this guy and see what's up."

"Yes, we do. She told me he works at Carl's," she said and then took a gulp of her frozen margarita.

"Be careful so you don't get a --"

"--Brainfreeze!" she said as she pushed her palm to her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut.

A minute of silence followed as Natalie recovered from her trauma. Natalie then motioned for Matt to continue.

"Okay, so he works at Carl's so we should stalk him. What do you think? Maybe find out when his next shift is and play detective?" he asked.

"Duh. You already know. I'll find out and we will go from there."

"Sounds like a plan. Finish your food so I can get you back. Don't want you getting in trouble."

"Now looks who is being funny."

"I thought so." Matt winked at Natalie.