Page 4 of So This Is War
“I like this side of you,” Sandie says. “Not so scared of your dad and living your best life.”
“Well, possibly my best life.” I lean against the elevator wall as it stops and an elderly couple gets on. “I don’t know if I’m into what I’m studying.”
“What do you mean?” Sandie asks. “You’re getting your master’s in business. I feel like at this stage, you should be really into it.”
“The only reason I applied for grad school was because of my dad. But what am I really going to do with a master’s in business? It’s so . . . broad. And then where do I go from there? Sit behind a desk all day?”
“Doesn’t he want you to do something in the Agitators front office?”
“Yes, like business-to-business sales or something like that. Not something I’m entirely into. You know, I’ve been taking these graphic art classes on the side, and they’ve been really fulfilling. I kind of want to explore that.”
“Ooo, graphic art,” Sandie says as the elevator dings, and we let the elderly couple off first. “You would be so good at that.”
“You think?”
She gives me acome onstare. “Wylie, you’ve loved art ever since I’ve known you, and you’re good at it. This is right up your alley.”
“That’s what I was thinking. And the classes I’ve been taking are all digital art, so I’m learning the techniques I need to know. And through the class, our teacher found a contest we could enter.”
“What is it?” Sandie asks as we head toward the bar.
“It’s a concert T-shirt contest for Hayes Farrow.”
“Wait.” Sandie grips my arm, stopping us in the middle of the lobby. “THE Hayes Farrow? The singer ofThe Black Album?”
“The one and only,” I say. “He thought he’d open the contest to his fans. I know it’s a long shot, but my whole class is applying.” I let out a deep breath. “I just feel so energized when I’m drawing and designing. When I’m in my business class, I drift off rather than pay attention. I think I want to talk to my dad about maybe leaving school to pursue this full-time.”
Sandie winces because she knows my dad well enough to understand how that talk will go. “I’m glad I won’t be around when you have that conversation.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask. “Did you really think dinner would be just you and me?” I shake my head. “I’m telling my dad about my school news during dinner, and you’re there for backup.”
“If you weren’t wearing that shirt, I’d believe you.”
I laugh as we reach the bar. It’s a seat-yourself situation with tables, high-tops, and couches scattered throughout the grand space. Deep purple and royal blue cover the seats, while gold-accented tables are scattered throughout to make the setup a less formal but usable space. The tall ceilings allow for ornate chandeliers to hang over the room, giving the space an elegant and moody feel.
“Oh, it’s so fancy,” Sandie says. “Where should we sit?”
“I was thinking?—”
“Sandie?” a male voice says from behind us, turning us around.
“Dale,” Sandie says in shock right before she takes off and hugs the man with all her might. “Oh my God, what are you doing here?”
“I’m in town for the night.” Dale pushes his hand through his floppy blond hair.
“You are? You should have told me so we could catch up.”
Dale’s cheeks blush. “I was afraid you might say no.”
“Are you kidding?” Sandie says, looking all starry-eyed. Who the hell is Dale? And how come she never told me about this man who seems to have captured my best friend? “I would have said yes.”
“Really?” he asks, his brows shooting up to his hairline. Tall and lanky, the man has that almost nerdy look about him but dresses with style in his tight-fitting chinos and button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled. I can see the attraction and why Sandie’s blushing with excitement.
“Yes, of course. I’ve missed you.” She runs her hand down his arm. Oh boy, if that isn’t a sign of her attraction to him, then I don’t know what is.
“I’ve missed you too,” he says.
And then they stare at each other for a solid thirty seconds without saying a word.
