“They have families.”

“So only single people are expected to work for no pay? No. Try again—especially since Sarah is only engaged, not married, and no kids.”

“I guess... Well, Frank asked them a few times but they demanded to get paid.” At Katie’s knowing look, Justine hastened to add, “But they have a lot more years in the company than I do. I can’t lose this job.”

“Fuck that. You totally can. You’re more talented than all of them—well, except me. But you’re not confident enough in yourself to know you can work for someone else.”

“I’ve looked.”

“Not hard, because you’re afraid word might get back to Frank.”

Justine flushed.

“Besides, we both know what you really want.”

“What’s that?”

“To work for yourself. You’re so smart, but you can’t see it. You’re a lot like your dad, only softer. Intelligent, talented, and driven, though you pretend you’re not. You’re just nice about it while your family are like pit bulls making deals.”

Justine sighed. “Now you’re just insulting. I’m not like my dad.”

“You totally are. He’s not content working for anyone but himself. He has an idea of how he thinks his business should work. So do you. But he works in finance, and you with art. Hey, they can say what they want, but our company is about making pretty art for people to gawk over, so they go and buy from our clients. We appeal to the public in an artistic medium—TV, magazines, billboards. We design it. They buy it. Your dad appeals to people’s wallets directly. Spend money to make money. It’s similar but not.”

Justine tugged her friend to start walking again. “You’ve put way too much thought into this.”

“I have. Because you’re miserable. You’re losing weight.”

The one positive aspect of her misery. “Thanks.”

“You have no social life. And I mean that in a nice, I’m-worried-for-you way.” Katie added, “When’s the last time you saw Xavier?”

An automatic blush lit her cheeks. “I passed by him the other day. I had to go back into work to fix something Frank screwed up.”

“Come on. You like him—Xavier, I mean. He’s amazing.” Katie stopped by their cars and put a hand on her hip, her tone aggressive when she said, “If you aren’t going to make a move, I might.”

“What?”

“Look, dating is hard. Xavier’s handsome, smart, built like one of the Spartacus guys, and he’s funny. He doesn’t live with his parents, has a job—I think—and have I mentioned he’s built?” Katie grinned. “The little green monster in your soul is glaring at me even though you’re trying to pretend you don’t care.”

“I don’t care.”

“You are such a liar.”

Justine gritted her teeth. “Not lying.”

“Pants on fire, liar,” Katie taunted.

“Seriously, go ahead. Ask him out.”

“Fine. I will.” Katie gave her a smug look. “Race you back.”

Then the blasted woman got in her car and drove away. As Justine quickly followed, she kept thinking Katie must have been joking. Did she mean to ask Xavier out now? Seriously?