Page 52 of For the Love of Art

“We’re here.”

Nathan furrowed his brows. “You live in a Chinese food restaurant?”

“Above it.”

Nathan looked perplexed, like the idea of me living here was absurd.

“You know, not everyone can afford an apartment in the Upper East Side, right?”

“Yeah. I know. My sister lives in Brooklyn.”

“Let me guess. Cobble Hill? Dumbo?”

Nathan sheepishly answered, “Dumbo.”

“With a view of the bridge?”

Nathan mumbled a yes.

“Mhm.”

“But it’s a small apartment!”

“Yeah, 'cause that makes all the difference,” I teased. I unlocked the door that led up to my apartment. “You coming up?”

Nathan looked surprised. “Sure.”

He stepped through the door, careful not to let his designer suit touch the dingy frame. I followed him, trying not to laugh at his facial expression as he took in his surroundings. By the time we reached my apartment door, Nathan looked like he was second guessing his choice to join me at all.

I unlocked the door and opened it, flicking on the light as I stepped inside. Nathan followed, wide-eyed as he looked around. I gestured to my couch.

“You can sit.”

I crossed my arms as I watched Nathan move toward the couch and study it like he would a painting. I suppose it had enough random stains to be abstract in its own way. He eventually settled on one end of the couch, though he looked tense and uncomfortable.

I placed the folders on the coffee table and walked to my fridge. I had three bottles left from a six pack. I grabbed two before walking back over to Nathan and holding on out to him.

“You okay with drinking from the bottle?”

“Of course.”

I opened my beer and settled on the couch's opposite end. I took a swig of the amber liquid. It was refreshing after a long day.

“You work late often?” Nathan asked before taking a drink.

“Only in the last week. I keep thinking of things that need to be done for the show. I can’t shut my brain off.”

Nathan chuckled. “I remember that feeling.”

“Does it ever go away?”

“Not entirely. You just become more confident.”

He offered me a reassuring smile, but I didn’t feel reassured.

Silence fell between us.

“I’m glad we’re able to be… well, after–” Nathan stopped.