The Personal Shopper

She doesn’t like Jeff. She never liked Jeff. Since when are they all about this touchy-feely nonsense, and her making plans with him and reminiscing about past dates, what is that? Did I read her wrong? Is she actually interested in Jeff?

I thought she just used him for social events. Maybe I was wrong. With the way she is laughing at all his dumb jokes, it sure seems like she is interested in him.

I mean, I was gone for six years. A lot can change in that amount of time, but I used to tease Ava relentlessly about Jeff because her family was always trying to push them together. She would always glare back at me and give me some snarky remark, usually mocking Nina. I’d ask her when her and Jeff are getting married and she’d respond. “I don’t know ‘Teddy,’ when are you and Nina getting married?”

But now she isn’t joking with me. She’s joking with Jeff. She’s barely even looked at me.

My phone buzzes, and I see Rachel texted me even though she is sitting right next to me.

Rachel: Want to make her jealous or do you just need a supportive friend to trash talk her?

I smile over at Rachel. I’m glad she’s here. I haven’t seen her in a while, and I’ve missed her.

I lean over to her and whisper. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll keep you posted.”

With the way Ava is laying it on so thick over there though, I think the answer might be both.

Luckily, the drive over isn’t long and we arrive at the event ten minutes later. We pull up to the museum’s front steps where guests are being unloaded. Ava and Jeff get out first and the cameras are immediately on her.

Not exactly sure why there are so many paparazzi and news reporters at a charity event, but I guess there are always a bunch of celebrities and rich socialites at these things.

The cameras are obsessed with Ava and what her look is tonight. They ask what designer she is wearing and where she got her inspiration. I guess she had a point about using her look for generating publicity. The cameras love her.

It doesn’t take long for the questions to turn to asking her about her date. One lady leans forward. “Ava! Are you and Jeff official now?” I cringe and Ava just smiles. The reporter continues. “This is the 3rd event you’ve attended together in the past 3 months”

I don’t want Ava to answer that question, so I just head toward them and move them along before she does.

Ava gives me a funny look, and I just lean down and whisper in her ear, “It’s better to keep them guessing, then they’ll have more to talk about.”

She steps away from me and gives me a look. “Oh, so are you finally embracing your role on the PR team?”

I just nod. “Yeah, the better our team does over the next six months, the more I’ll be able to put on my resume when I leave.”

Ava’s smile drops from her face. “Are you really leaving again when the six months are up?”

I just stare at her for a second. I wasn’t expecting this reaction out of her. She actually looks genuinely sad that I would be leaving.

I don’t know what to say, so I just stick with the truth. “That’s all my contract is for.”

Ava’s smile finally comes back. “You know my dad and Doug want you to join the financial team at corporate. Don’t pretend you’d be leaving for any other reason than you want to.”

Doug has mentioned it a few times, but I didn’t know Ava knew that. I just shrug. “They haven't made any offers yet.”

Ava smiles even bigger. “Want me to put in a good word for you?” She laughs. “Let’s see, I can tell them you’re a hardass who definitely sticks to the budget, is not concerned about what others think of him. You will continue being an ass as long as it relates to the budget.”

She taps her chin like she is thinking of more, then her face lights up. “Oh! And in case it’s relevant, I can put down he looks super sexy making sandwiches shirtless late at night for his super great neighbor across the hall.”

We both laugh and I add, “I think I might have to leave my reference page blank for that interview.”

She laughs again, and her hand lands on my arm. It feels like her fingers are burning into my skin. I love having her touch me. It’s only for a brief moment, and then Jeff is leading her inside.

After our moment together outside, things go back to the way they were before. Ava is pretty much ignoring me and focusing on Jeff even though we are all at the same table. I use the time to try to catch up with Rachel, but my eyes keep wandering back over to Ava.

Rachel starts talking again, pulling my attention back to her again. “Hey, if you’re going to be ogling another girl all night, the least you can do is help me find someone to get laid with tonight."

I laugh. “Okay, I’m game. What’s your type again? Tall, blonde hair, rich.” I look over at Jeff sitting next to Rachel who looks exactly like Rachel’s type. I lean my head toward him. She looks where I am pointing and then turns back to me. “Oh, you are so bad.”

I laugh again and shrug. “Hey, she told me they weren’t dating. Kind of.”