Page 40 of When We Were Young

Georgie stands as well.

“So, are you gonna be painting this room too? Not that I don’t love mustard yellow. But...”

“Yeah. It’s in the plans, but I can’t get it done this weekend. We’ll have to do it once we get all moved in. Plus, Simon's room is my priority. It’s painted an almost fluorescent purple color, and I’m sure he’s not going to love that.”

Georgie doesn’t say anything to me but turns and disappears down the hall, where the bedrooms and bathroom are. She comes back a minute or so later, and she has that look on her face. The one she gets when she’s coming up with some kind of scheme. I’m almost afraid to ask.

“What’s going on in that brain of yours? Did you get another idea for your book?”

“No, no. Not that. I was thinking that you should let me help you, and I think I could probably get a few other helpers so that we could get this painted for you today.”

“No, really. I don’t want to impose on anybody and⁠—”

“Lizzie. Seriously, at some point, you have to let somebody help. Think of all the stuff you do for me.”

“What are you talking about?”

I feel myself narrowing my eyes at her, and I force my facial features back to normal. I don’t want to end up with massive wrinkles before my time.

“Okay. Yeah, you’re my proofreader, and you’ve been doing some light editing, but think of all those bonus scenes I send to you. You proofread them for me and refuse to take any money. Or how about when I throw something at you, last minute, and you have never not fit me into your schedule?”

“Well, that’s just friendship.” I lift a shoulder toward my ear and let it drop again.

“Exactly. And my helping you get this painted is also friendship. Do you have colors yet?”

“Yeah, I think so.” I glance over at the small table I have set up in the room where the swatches are. “I need to pick between a few colors for this room, though I’m leaning toward an oatmeal.”

“Okay, how about this? I’ll get some paint, painting supplies, and get a crew together, and we’ll be back in a couple of hours to get the first coat on these rooms. That’ll give you time to finish cleaning.”

She looks down at her phone and starts tapping on it.

God, it would be amazing to get this painted before Simon sees it. But I can’t impose on strangers.

“That’s too much. I’m not going to ruin everybody's Friday evening so they can help me paint. They don’t even know me.”

She glances up from her phone.

“Already done. It’s happening, so don’t try to dissuade me. Show me which colors you like.”

I stare at my friend for a few seconds. She’s as stubborn as a mule. I debate whether it’s worth arguing with her, but I know I won’t win. When Georgie sets her mind on something, it’s extremely difficult to change it.

Then, without warning, she walks over to the door where she dropped her purse, picks it up, and turns back to me.

“I’m gonna go get the paint now and⁠—”

“Now? No. Absolutely not.”

“It’s cute that you think you can stop me.”

“Here, let me give you my card or whatever cash I have.”

She shoos me away. “Consider it my housewarming gift.”

“Georgie, paint is expensive.”

I pull my phone out to open my Cash App and pay her.

“I’m sorry, but have you not seen the sales of our most recent book? I can afford it.”