I smirk. “You don’t know if he’s a nerd. Don’t stereotype our new friend.”
Carter looks at me. “I mean, his name is Dilbert Murphy. He sounds kinda nerdy.”
I shrug. “Fine, I’ll give it to you. Dilbert may be a bit nerdy, but I bet he’s also kinda sweet.”
“Should I be jealous of Dilbert?” Carter asks.
I grin. “The fact that you even have to ask? Obviously, you have to be jealous.”
He gasps. “Hey! I will not share you with our financial guy!”
I laugh. “I know, I know, silly.”
We both finish getting ready, and by the time we sit on the couch to relax, there’s a knock on the door.
“How did you even get up here?” Carter calls out as he opens it.
Mel walks in, smirking. “I flirted with your front desk guy, duh.”
“Remind me not to tip him come holiday time,” Carter jokes.
I chime in. “Lady and gentleman, we need to get to business before Dilbert arrives.”
“Who names their kid Dilbert?” Mel groans.
“Right?!” Carter says. “Mel gets it!”
“Shut it,” I cut in. “Back to business. Thanks to Carter letting me crash here and pay nothing, I’ve got an extra $5,000 to add to the pot.”
“Thank me too,” Mel adds. “Our band is finally getting good gigs, which clearly is thanks to me.”
“Excuse me,” I say. “I’m the face of this band.”
Carter raises an eyebrow. “You two always refer to it as ‘the band’. What’s your band actually called?”
Mel and I glance at each other…then burst out laughing.
“We never came up with one, babe!” I admit.
“The Duo,” Mel says. “It’s simple and to the point. It just feels so us.”
“Done. We’re officially The Duo,” I say.
Carter shakes his head. “Wow, someone’s in a rush. Can’t even come up with an original band name.”
“Shut up,” I grin.
Mel suddenly blurts out, “Not to sound pompous, but I have a million dollars just chilling in a savings account from my parents. Please help me find a better home for it.”
Carter and I both let out a gasp.
“Damn, Mel,” I say. “I think I need a total of $500,000. Actually, make that $495,000 thanks to my small contribution.” I smirk.
“So, around $250,000 from each of us?” Carter asks.
“Exactly. And monthly rent will be about $50,000. It’s New York, guys.”
Mel and Carter respond in unison: “Tell us what this money’s going to be used for.”
