Chapter 196
**Sara**
I watched Claire's fingers fly across her phone screen, wondering what kind of networking wizardry she was conjuring up.
"Okay, done!" She set her phone down with a triumphant smile. "I've got three meetings lined up for you next week. One's with a hedge fund manager - super boring but loaded. Another's with an investment firm that's basically a frat house with Bloomberg terminals. And the third..." She paused for dramatic effect. "Well, let's just say it involves a corner office with a view."
"Please tell me you didn't just set me up with your ex-boyfriends."
"God, no. I have standards." She rolled her eyes. "These are legitimate business contacts who happen to be looking for fresh MBA talent. Though one of them might have taken me to dinner once. Or twice."
"Claire!"
"What? It was a very professional dinner. Mostly." She stirred her tea innocently.
"I'm starting to think this was a terrible idea."
"Trust me, it's not. These are solid opportunities." She reached across the table to pat my arm.
Claire's phone buzzed against the table, dancing between our coffee cups. Her eyes lit up as she checked the screen.
"Oh my god, yes!" She bounced in her seat like a kid who'd just discovered an extra Christmas present. "This is perfect. Lucas just texted me back."
"Lucas?"
"He's looking for someone with exactly your qualifications." Her fingers flew across the screen. "He's the CEO of Westbridge Capital. Young, brilliant, and—" She glanced up with a sly grin. "Totally single."
I raised my hand. "Stop right there. I don't need his relationship status."
"But Sara, he's gorgeous! Like, 'makes other men look like potato sacks' gorgeous. And he's got this accent-"
"Claire." I fixed her with my best stern look. "Job opportunities only. My love life is not part of this networking deal."
"Fine, fine." She sighed dramatically. "But you should definitely put this at the top of your list. Lucas is... well, let's just say he's a good person. Known him forever."
"Just good people? No torrid past? No complicated history?" I narrowed my eyes. "That would be a first."
"Cross my heart!" She drew an X over her chest. "We're just friends. Like, actual friends. The kind where nothing ever happened because... well, because nothing ever happened."
"That was almost convincing."
"I'm serious!" She held up her phone like evidence in court. "Look, I'll text him right now. He's way more reliable than the other options I mentioned. Plus, his company is doing amazing things these days. They're really making waves in the industry. Trust me, you'll thank me later."
I slumped back in my chair, watching Claire's thumbs dance across her phone screen. "Fine, but if this Lucas guy turns out to be another one of your 'it's complicated' situations, I'm holding you personally responsible."
"He's not, I swear!" Her eyes stayed glued to her phone.
Should I be concerned about how quickly this was all happening? The whole thing felt like ordering takeout - except instead of pizza, I was getting job interviews served on a silver platter.
Her phone rang, cutting through my thoughts. She glanced at the screen and jumped up like someone had lit her chair on fire.
"Oh! I need to take this. Back in a second!" She practically sprinted to a quiet corner near the restrooms, her heels clicking against the tile floor.
I picked at my half-eaten avocado toast, trying not to eavesdrop. But Claire's animated gestures and occasional squeals of excitement made it hard not to look. She was doing that thing where she twirled her hair around her finger - either a good or bad sign.
She bounced back to our table five minutes later, practically excitedly vibrating.
Claire slid back into her seat, her smile threatening to break her face in half. "Oh. My. God. You're not going to believe this!"
I set down my coffee cup. "Should I be scared? You've got that look."
"What look?"
"The one you had before you convinced me to get bangs in college. We both remember how that turned out."
She waved away my concern. "This is way better than bangs. Lucas can see you Monday morning! Nine AM sharp."
"Monday? As in two days from now?"
"I know, right? Usually, you'd have to wait weeks just to get past his assistant's assistant. But..." She preened. "I worked my magic."
"That's insane. I haven't even updated my resume or-"
"Already handled. Remember that copy you sent me last month? I forwarded it while I was on the phone." She beamed like she'd just solved world hunger. "He loved it, by the way."
My jaw dropped. "You sent my resume without asking me?"
"Would you have let me if I'd asked?"
"No!"
"Exactly." She took a victorious sip of her tea. "That's why I didn't ask. Sometimes you need a little push."
"A little push? This is more like shoving me off a cliff!"
"A cliff with a very cushy landing. Trust me, this is perfect timing. They're expanding their portfolio management division and need someone with fresh perspectives."
I slumped in my seat. "This is happening way too fast."
"Fast is good! Fast means they're interested. Besides..." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "If it doesn't work out, we still have those other options. Though between you and me, you won't need them."
"You sound awfully confident for someone who once tried to convince me that stocks were just fancy IOUs."
"Hey, I wasn't entirely wrong about that!" She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Come on, what do you have to lose?"
"My dignity? My self-respect? My ability to ever show my face in the financial district again?"
"Drama queen." She rolled her eyes. "You're going to crush it. And if you don't, my brother's friend always needs someone to manage his pet grooming empire."
"I'm not managing dog haircuts."
"Just saying, it's an option. A very furry option."
"Thank you." I couldn't help but smile. "For everything. Even if your methods are slightly terrifying."
"Slightly terrifying is my brand." She winked. "I'll text you all the details later."
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