“I’m an aspiring lawyer. Though, it doesn’t feel like the ‘aspiring’ part of that description can drop away fast enough.” Heather sighed, tension lining her eyes again.
Anna must have noticed the sudden tension as well because she waved her hand like she dismissed the notion and gave Heather a kind smile. “It will all be worth it in the end. When is the end?”
“I’m taking the bar exam in a month. But it feels like I haven’t slept in at least six months. I don’t even remember when the last time was that I did anything like we’re doing today.”
“That explains your split ends, then,” Anna teased. Heather squealed and reached for her hair. “Relax, I’m kidding.”
“You’ve never had a split end in your life, Heather,” I said. The last thing that Heather needed was something else to worry about, even it was something as trivial as having split ends.
“I don’t know about the rest of your life, but your hair is in great condition now,” Anna reassured her. “So, one more month until the bar exam, then?”
“Yeah,” Heather said. “I can’t wait for it to be over, but I also feel like I need three more months to study for it.”
“You definitely don’t need three more months, Heather. You’re ready. This last push is nothing but review for you.”
“True, but there’s so much to review. How’re you holding up?”
“I’m okay. Almost there. I was thinking of maybe waiting until the next sitting to take it, but now I’m seriously considering taking it with you.”
“It would be silly of you to wait. You can only study so much. Another six months would be torture.”
“Look who’s talking.” I stared at her pointedly.
Heather laughed but nodded her head. “Touche, old friend. Come on; I want to hear you say it.”
I blushed, remembering James saying almost those exact same words to me not so long ago. Dammit. Why did everything have to come back to him these days? “Say what?”
“Say, ‘Heather, I will take the bar exam with you in one month.’ You know you want to.”
She was right. I did want to. Now that I’d made up my mind to take the exam, I wanted to get it done. Not have it hanging over my head for months on end.
“Okay, I’ll say it. Heather, I think that I will take the exam with you in one month.” My lips curled into a smile. It felt good to say it out loud. I pushed all the nerves about confronting James away. This was a time to celebrate.
“Sold!” Anna cried joyously. “To the lady in the black cape.”
“I wish it were a proper cape. I’m going to need superpowers to survive this month.” I was ready for it, though.
“You are both going to knock that exam out of the park. Mark my words.” Anna insisted.
“How do you know? You’ve known us for all of about an hour.” I hated to point out the obvious, but Anna’s complete faith in us astonished me.
“I know because I know people. Women like you are go-getters. You won’t let anything stand in your way, and you’ll work hard to get what you want.” It was a matter-of-fact statement. There was no doubt in Anna’s voice.
Heather beamed. “You’re right. We have worked hard. We’re going to own this exam.”
“Yeah, we are.” I thought we would, anyway, but I wasn’t about to be the doubting downer.
“These are the only capes that I keep around here, unfortunately. I do have champagne, though. That should give you the self-confidence of a superhero.” Anna smirked and motioned to a girl carrying a tray of champagne flutes.
Heather and I each accepted a glass and sipped in silence as Anna snipped and sprayed and clipped around us. She moved a bit like a ninja. It was quite something to behold.
“So, on to other things that you want. You promise you’ll tell the mystery man soon?” Heather asked quietly, her eyes searching mine like she knew something was holding me back.
“Yeah, I will.” It was a promise that I intended to keep.
“Good. I want to meet him. When do I get to meet him?” Heather’s eyes lit up. “And does he have any hot, single friends?”
I laughed. Heather was beautiful, intelligent, and driven. No man had been able to keep up so far. Although, the same might have been said for me until not so long ago. I would ask James about it.