Page 106 of Until The Lights Go Out

Andrea noticed my face and pointed accusingly through the screen.

“There it is again! The glow! What is going on?”

I was not going to survive this season.

“I am genuinely going to die if I don’t have a sweet treat within the next five minutes.” Serena groaned, falling into the chair next to me an hour later.

“Hey! How did it go?” I slammed my laptop shut, ignoring work the moment I saw her walk up.

“Sweet treat.”

“Okay, but how did it go!”

“Sweet. Treat.” Serena said with even more seriousness.

“Understood.” I nodded and began packing my things into my tote. I was standing within the minute, ushering her up out of the chair she had collapsed in. The fewer words spoken from Serena, the more dire the circumstance. I knew she had a secret meeting today with someone about potential reserve driving, but she was refusing to tell me anything more until it was “real.” Her words, not mine. So this felt big, and I wasn’t sure if it was good and overwhelming or bad and overwhelming, but usually a glass of wine and a sweet treat solved things. So I linked her arm with mine and dragged her along with me to the nearest restaurant.

We walked a few blocks before finding a spot I had bookmarked to try, and were quickly seated toward the back of a very busy lunch rush. I had started a little list of things I wanted to try when traveling from spot to spot with a few hours of spare time here and there. Food was high on the list. I loved trying new dishes or local cuisines, and Serena was always game for good food. We used to have monthly “feeling rich” nights where we would go try a restaurant on my fancy-eats list in the city. We would save all month for it, and they were some of my very favorite memories.

While Serena was usually the chatter of the two of us, big changes made her shut down before she decided to conquer them. It was all a part of her regularly scheduled processing of emotions. She was currently staring out in a semi-catatonic way, watching people pass by as I ordered us both glasses of wine and a chocolate cake to share.

“No food?” the waiter asked, confusion taking over his features.

“Yes, chocolate cake,” I said, pointing to the dessert menu. He shook his head, muttering something under his breath that made me want to shoot him a glare. But my focus was on my best friend today.

“S?” I asked, poking her cheek. She cracked a smile at that and rolled her eyes, looking toward me with an exasperated look. “Unfiltered thought?” I asked. It was something I loved to ask.

“I am fucking terrified.”

“Okay, we can work with that. Scared is good! Means exciting things are happening!” I said, perking up. But her expression stayed rather morbid, making me second guess again. “Or, not exciting…” I trailed off.

“Miss,” the waiter said as he set down two glasses of wine.

“Thank you!” I slid one glass closer to Serena, and she took it with a loud sigh before taking a sip.

“Okay so, you know those platform boots I was dying for?”

“Why are you bringing up boots right now? Oh my God.”

“Okay, but you know, the boots!”

“Yes, I know the boots, they were like four hundred dollars.”

“I can buy them now, or like three if I want. You want a pair?” she smirked at me, making me almost jump with excitement. Those were her dream boots, the ones she always said were too important, ones that were too expensive and could only be bought if something big happened or she landed a⁠—

“Holy shit!” I squealed, making eyes dart over to us. I quieted quickly and squeezed her shoulders. “Tell me! Sponsorship? Reserve driver? What!” I was practically jumping up and down beside Serena on the leather booth. The news felt too big for the small table in front of us along the back of the room, too bright for the dim lit candles and the quiet music playing. But most people were talking lively and loudly, so us doing the same was nothing shocking.

“I made it, Maise,” she said, eyes glistening.

“Made what? MADE WHAT?” I was buzzing with excitement.

“You’re looking at the official spokeswoman for Valora Racing.”

“What! What’s Valora Racing? What is happening!”

“It’s a female-led racing initiative, huge connections and sponsorships too,” Serena added like it was no big thing.

“Serena Koloman, if you are kidding right now, I swear to God.”