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When we leave, it takes all my willpower not to say a word till we get in the elevator. But once the doors snick shut, I point in the direction of her apartment and announce: “We have to do something about that right fucking away.”
64
A LITTLE GIFT
Briar
The next morning as I’m taking an online Pilates class from Sandy Ho, one of my favorite instructors, my phone rings. I hit pause since it’s the doorman. “There’s someone here to see you. Her name is Charlotte Calloway.”
I scrunch my brow. “I’m not expecting anyone by that name.”
“She says that Rhys, Hollis, and Gavin sent her. As a gift for you.”
That doesn’t really clear things up either. “I’m intrigued but I still don’t know who she is.”
He chuckles. “She said to google her.”
“Okay.” I plug her name into the search engine.
Oh.
Oh.
Wow.
That’s quite a gift. “Send her up.”
A few minutes later, I open the door for the woman who looks just like her photo on her website—Charlotte Calloway Designs. A brunette in fashionable burgundy palazzo pants and a simple white sweater flashes me the warmest smile. A constellation of freckles crinkles across her nose. “I’m your new interior designer. I’m told you have no limits to the budget. Anything you want is yours. And to let you know that I can furnish this place as quickly as you want.”
I’m a fish flapping its mouth open and closed. This is such a beautiful gift. I hate shopping so much, and I need furniture so badly, and I am so touched that they’re giving me something I could never do for myself.
Something wonderful.
Something that makes me feel special.
But it’s such a big gift. Sure, I truly appreciate them taking this whole we-stay-friends-on-the-other-side vow. I want to be certain, though, that I’m not just taking from them. “Hold on a second,” I say, then turn around and grab my phone, quickly texting them.
Briar: Guys! Seriously! This is huge. Are you sure? Like, truly sure? I know we promised to stay friends, but this is above and beyond.
Rhys: What are friends for?
Briar: I’ve never had a friendship quite like this.
Hollis: Get used to it.
Briar: I don’t want to just take things though. Even though this is amazing and so thoughtful.
Gavin: Take it, Briar.
I draw a deep inhale, and it feels like the biggest breath of fresh air. It feels like starting over. Like this is what it means to be seen. Listened to. Cared for. With my ex, I was his arm candy. He wasn’t interested in the things I did or what made me who I am.
But with these three men, they see me. They truly see me for who I am, and they care not only about what I want, but what I need.
I turn back to Charlotte. “Where do we start?”
She’s fast, well connected, and specializes in eco-design, which is important to me. She knows how to find pieces at consignment shops that are gently used or overstock from other stores. This means in three days, I have a couch, some throw pillows, a pretty white desk, and an actual bed.
Which my cat seriously enjoys.
