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MADDIE

A few days later, Katy and I met up at a martini bar near my office after work

I’d been drinking a bit more than I cared to adh to notice and I saw Katy on such an infrequent basis any to say about it either I wouldn’t say it was out-of-control or anything like that, but the last time I drank this much hen Trevor and I broke up

Oh, well We all have our vices I suppose

Sure, I had to find a better way to cope, but for the ti around my dirty martini were far preferable, not toto a therapist

Not great I know

Anyway, after a bit of chit chat, Katy finished a sip of her apple s between you and Grey?”

I sed another sip of my cocktail The kick of the vodka and the saltiness of the olive juice caused ether in unconscious reaction before I replied

“It’s up and down,” I began with a rasp “When it’s good, it’s great When it’s not, well, you know…”

Katy squeezed my forearm and smiled

“I’lad you two areher hand from my arm, she raised her free one to her chest and crossed her heart “I can’t tell you hoorried I’ve been”

“Worried?” I asked, as I wrinkled my brow in confusion “About what?”

Breaking eye contact with ain and just before she took another sip, replied, “H Now that this has coht direction”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing

Incredulous, I did a half-turn back towards my best friend “What? What is that supposed to mean?”

Katy scoffed and shrugged at the sa? Seriously?”

“Uh! Katy!” I exclaimed Still in shock over this sudden confession, I continued, “How co about this to me before?”

“Well, Maddie honey, I’s”

“What do you think you’re doing right now?”

“What difference does itanymore so who cares?”

I’ll tell you I hadn’t intended to tell her about ument with Grey on the subject But after this ridiculous confession, I was close to it

“I care, Katy,” I said, as I shook my head “God, I can’t believe it You kno i was to me”

Katy reached in ain but before she could touch me, I snatched my arrasp

“I don’t knohy you’re upset with‘was’ important to you as in, ‘used to be’”

“It still is,” I grumbled

Katy scoffed and took another sip of her drink After placing it back down on the bar, she glanced at me

“Now, that is ridiculous, Maddie Seriously”

“No, Katy!” I snapped as I turned towards her again “What’s ridiculous is you pretended to supporta fool”

“I never said that,” she replied with an exhale “That’s the booze talking Cal this any longer You toldtalk, you were focused on the business Does Grey know you’ve been thinking about this?”

As she spoke, I propped my elbows up on the bar and resteddown over lass At last, I reached up and sliding h it, I pulled ht ahead I sat in silence for several

I felt Katy’s hand an to caress me and as she did, I exhaled

“I don’t think I’m qualified to run the business the way Grey wants it done I’ve been trying so hard, but it’s like… it’s never good enough”

“What do you mean?” Katy asked

“Ugh, never roaned “You wouldn’t understand”

“Cut the crap, Maddie I’m probably the only person who does I deal with him all the time—you know that”

I took another sip of o back to acting, or anything else, I’ll lose…”

Katy raised her eyebrows and“You’ll lose? What, exactly?”