Don't let insecure thoughts ruin something amazing.

 Monica was glad to catch up with Carmen, but she didn't know it would be lunch. It felt unexpected. They never went anywhere together. Sure, she asked how the boys (Randy and Tristan) were treating her.

"Oh, you know," Monica shrugged, unsure where this conversation was going. They were at the new taco place and eventually got their food in the crowded place. "Tristan is Tristan, and Randy, well, things are good." After all, Randy was her best friend; she didn't really have any of her own. There were acquaintances from classes, but she didn't go places with any of them. They didn't even text.

Carmen talked about the house and their dog for a while.  "Velvet couldn't care less about me. Justin is who she loves." She ate so quickly, crunching on chips and salsa. Monica could hardly keep up.

Finally, she got around to telling her about her coworker Jade, who was going to have a baby. Just as Monica was finishing up her first taco, Carmen mentioned she was leaving that job and going into nursing at the hospital. "I was wondering if you'd be interested in the job?"

Monica practically froze. She couldn't imagine working at the dance and gym. She cleared her throat.

"Well, what would I have to do?"

"The guys who work at the gym usually do all the hard stuff, mainly you'd be at the counter. Nothing really big."

It would be big for Monica because she'd never had a job. She felt a little faint. She felt as if she could hardly see straight. Here was the opportunity Randy had always talked about, and she didn't feel confident. Not really. But it didn't matter. Everyone would want her to do it. 

"Sure," she found herself sputtering. She did her best to smile, wondering what she was getting herself into.