Chapter 7 Next move

Lily breezed into the upscale little brunch café, air-kissing her younger sister Gia, Eva and Noah as they got up to give her a quick hug before she slid into the empty chair at their table by the front window.

The aroma of coffee and sizzling bacon wafted through the warmly lit room.

"So sorry I'm late, dolls!" Lily apologized over the indie folk song playing softly in the background. "This trial has consumed my entire life." She sighed dramatically, picking up a menu with violet scribbled cursive that was already so familiar.

Gia gave her a smirk, the one that always reminded Lily so much of their mother. "Some things never change,"she teased. "Surprised you even had time for your favorite people."

Lily flashed a bright smile, adjusting the lapel of her neatly pressed blazer. "Never too busy for my day ones!" she protested. "We could all use a mental break anyway, am I right?"

Eva smiled affectionately at Lily from across the table as she caught her longtime friend up on the odd meeting she had yesterday. Lily had been her friend even longer than Gia was. The two had met freshman year of college in an intro design course and immediately hit it off. So while Gia's friendship was more recent and fun-loving, Lily understood Eva on a deeper level.

"Get this – turns out it was the same arrogant guy whose drink I spilled all over at my birthday party!" Eva explained as Lily listened intently while nibbling on a slice of avocado toast the waitress had brought.

"What are the chances?" Noah chuckled. "Did you make sure to mention his little accident to remind him you'd already left an impression?" he joked.

Eva shot him a wry smile. "No, after he laid out this opportunity, it honestly slipped my mind momentarily. But that's the crazy thing..."

Gia shook her head, making her hair, now in a blunt bob blacksway as she interjected. "I don't know Eva, this Oscar guy sounds like a major sleaze even without the spill incident. Just his tone, those cocky mannerisms you described..."

Lily nodded contemplatively as she swallowed a sip of mimosa. "I have to agree with G on this one. His approach seems quite...calculating. Are you sure you want to open that door?"

Eva bit her lip, conflicted. "I mean, it could raise my profile so much and this is what I've always been waiting for. It's not an opportunity I can easily walk away from just because of his personality."

She stirred a spoon absently in her fruit smoothie bowl, avoiding eye contact with her friends.

"That said, he did start getting a little...familiar towards the end."

Lily narrowed her eyes, pausing her energetic gesturing. "How do you mean... familiar?"

Eva kept stirring, suddenly feeling shy about sharing details that now felt rather personal.

"Let's just say his body language wouldn't make HR delighted," she admitted. "And he called our aesthetics 'complementary' with this intense stare that didn't seem fully professional."

"Ugh, that pretentious creep!" Gia exclaimed, slamming her palm lightly on the reclaimed wood table. "I swear, men in power think they can get away with anything."

Noah shook his head, his expression serious compared to his earlier light joking.

"For real, Eva. You know you don't have to put up with suggestive comments or energy like that for any professional opportunity."

Lily reached over and put her hand on Eva's comforting. "We just want you to feel safe as well as successful, love. Please tell me you're still questioning this whole thing?"

Eva gave a small smile, warmed by her friends' support.

"Trust me, after that vibes shift, I was out of there, no signed contracts," she assured them. "But the concept itself is still so interesting to me...I just know I'd have to establish firm boundaries."

She absentmindedly brushed back a bit of her hair, wondering if she was crazy to still be considering Oscar's offer given his behavior that raised red flags.

Lily gave Eva's arm an affectionate little squeeze before withdrawing her hand.

"Speaking of firm boundaries in messy situations..." She turned her laser focus on Noah, pointing her fork accusingly. "Noah Crestwood, please enlighten us on the mystery woman who's been making cameos on your Instagram lately."

The table collectively laughed as Noah launched into an exaggerated retelling of his most recent dating exploits. Lily signaled the waitress for another mimosa refill, trying to soak up their time together.

Later, as the group gathered their belongings to leave, Lily wrapped a steadying arm around Eva's shoulder.

"Take all the time you need thinking this over – and call anytime you want to talk. Okay?" she said lovingly.

Noah held the door, flashing his dimpled grin.

"If Oscar happens to catch sight us at the moment, he might begin to think twice about coming on too strong."

Eva laughed, feeling reassured by her friends as she stepped back out into the sunshine. She took a deep breath of fresh air, weighing her next move regarding the enticing yet questionable proposal.