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Created by Diane Brown, Buena Beach is an online soap opera, giving up all the juicy details of some of the hottest guys and gals of Buena Beach, a small town in Southern California. Check back everyday for a new episode here on HelloBeautiful.com.

Diane

I gave up smoking about a week and a half ago, but that hasn’t stopped me from coming outside near the planters every morning for my 15-minute break for some air and a little conversation. It’s kind of hit and miss, but most days I’ve been right on time, exiting the building just as Brandon rides by on his 10-speed on his way to work next door – his perfect calves shiny and sculpted. I’ve done a good job with my simulated smoking, looking the part even on the occasions he’s joined in for his morning fix of nicotine, asking for a light. I might feel guilty about my behavior if our talks weren’t so energizing. I like to think of him as my daily shot of espresso in the mornings, fueling me to take on the remaining six and half hours of my day.

This particular day, I arrive just in time, having 30 seconds or so to get situated in the stance that’s most flattering (favoring my left side) before he pedals up. I stamp my cigarette into the dirt as if just finishing it before waving. “Hey, Brandon.”

“Diane!” he says with a bright smile as he comes to a stop. “How’s my favorite addict?”

“Can’t complain. Things aren’t too busy this week so I’m all caught up.”

“Good, good. Glad it’s cooling off, huh?”

This is how we always start off – a few exchanges about the office, then the weather. Warming up a little more, we move the dialogue around to his bicycle shop (this morning, I ask him if rentals have increased since the article in the Buena Beach Sundial) and our lunch plans for the day. That launches us into our main topic; things like “Can you imagine Senator Obama with a Jheri curl?” or “Why don’t they serve sweet potato pie at Starbucks?” Fun, but nothing too personal. At least not until today, when he finally pops the question.

“So are you single, Ms. Diane?”

I’ve been waiting for the conversation to go here – I just didn’t want to be the one steering it this way. A part of me wants to lie and tell him that, yes, I’m 100% single, open, and available – ready for him to take me right there on the beach if he’s game. But I know I can’t betray Jonathan like that. Better to be honest while gauging Brandon’s interest, then play it from there. Besides, I’ve always found that learning someone is off the market almost makes them more attractive – perhaps it’s the thrill of a challenge. Maybe I’ll find that Brandon’s the same way.

“Nope, not single. I have a boyfriend. Jonathan.”

“Jonathan, huh? What’s he all about?”

This is where I stop being honest. “He’s a good guy. Good job, nice car. Basically spoils me.” Okay, so I guess I’m being more than just dishonest – that was straight up hyperbole. But I’ve got an image to look after.

And with that, of course I have to return the favor and ask him, “What about you?”

He nods his head, proud. “Yah, yah I got a girl.”

“Really?” I ask with as much delight as I can muster. Damn. Again, that just makes him even more desirable.

So he goes on to tell me how beautiful and perfect and brilliant she is. That he loves her more than he’s ever loved anyone ever in the entire universe. In fact, dude’s getting a little corny on me. I’m half expecting him to break into song with a self-conducted tribute to the girl.

Alright. Time to change the subject. “Wow, she sounds really nice. I’m happy for you guys. Hey, did you watch Hell’s Kitchen the other night?”

He shakes his head. “Missed it. We went out to dinner. Hey, the three of us should get together for lunch one of these days.”

“Sure. That’d be great.” Great.

“In fact, I’m pretty sure you already know her.”

I do? No way. None of my girls would keep this guy hidden from me. “I know her?”

He laughs. “Yah. Actually, I haven’t been totally upfront with you. I knew you were friends with my girl a while ago – we just never got on the subject before.”

Okay, so…who is this mystery woman? My expression must ask the same thing.

“It’s Veronica.”

“Who?” I ask, my heart jumping miserably at what I anticipate will be his answer.

“Veronica, from your office.”

No, it can’t be. It can’t be stinky, trashy, job-stealing Veronica. He said his woman was beautiful and brilliant. And my friend. “Oh.”

“Yah, maybe on Monday.”

“Okay,” I hear myself saying, although I have no idea why – I hate even being in the same conference room with that woman. Imagine being forced to keep down a meal while sitting across from her at a lunch while she coos and snuggles with…Brandon?

“And maybe Jonathan can join us.”

“Jonathan? Oh, sure. Right. Right. That’d be…fun.”

“Alright, then. It’s a date.”

I’d been hoping to hear him say that one day. Unfortunately, I didn’t think it would involve our respective significant others. He tells me that he’ll figure out someplace to go and relay the details to Veronica. As I say goodbye and head back to my building, I’m still confused about my behavior. Why did I agree to this double-date disaster? I mean, I’m devastated. All this time, I actually thought there was some kind of spark between us – an innocent spark, but a spark nonetheless. Now there was nothing; not even the prospect that something could ever develop between us, not with him being so deeply in love.

Unless, my optimistic side begins to say, this whole “sprung on his perfect girlfriend” thing is just a sham; a comeback to my confirmation that I had a boyfriend. I mean, I exaggerated about my relationship; who says he’s not doing the same thing? So it’s with that tiny piece of hope that I finish out my Friday and head into the weekend, even a little excited about my (albeit unorthodox) date with that fine-ass bicycling brotha, Brandon.

And perhaps this might be the ultimate payback to my office nemesis – Veronica took my job; I’ll take her man.

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For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.