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She stares at me with an expression of boredom, tipping her glasses down to the tip of her nose. “This isn’t some sitcom where we all get together and join a bowling league.” She bends her arm and swings it back and forth.
“It’s a meet-and-greet and who knows? Maybe I’ll pick up a few clients.”
She takes that into consideration by tilting her head in an I-guess-you-have-a-point gesture. “True. Maybe I’ll go with you.”
“Really?” I ask, resembling Annie moments ago.
“Calm down there, Strawberry Shortcake. I said maybe.” She swivels back around, pushing up her dark glasses.
I sit at my desk, second-guessing my decision and realizing there’s a reason Annie works at an ad agency. She can probably sell anyone on anything.
* * *
The next day,my phone vibrates on my desk and my friend Evie’s name flashes on the screen.
“Hey,” I say, swiveling my chair to stare out my window at the dismal view of a brick wall.
“What’s up, cupcake?”
“You’re chipper.”
“I got laid last night,” she says.
I nod. “Good to know.”
“You should try it sometime. It’s fun.” She’s mumbling over food.
“Is that the point of your call? To harass me about my non-existent sex life?”
Evie is a freelance graphic designer who works out of her house. She’s probably in her pajamas on the couch, eating leftover Thai food right now.
“I want out of Manhattan for the summer.”
“Okay, and that has what to do with me?” I cross my legs and trace a pattern through the mortar with my eyes.
“If I have to spell it out, I’m afraid this whole FSBO thing isn’t for you.” She munches in my ear again. Now I hear a mouse click, which means she’s working as she talks to me. Which also means I’ll be hanging up frustrated after repeating myself ten times.
“You’re late. All the good properties are taken.” I swivel my chair to do a search because I know she won’t take my word for it. “Not to mention, are you talking about sharing or going solo? Solo will cost you.”
“I was hoping to round up you and maybe Max. Who else could we ask?”
I laugh. “We know no one. I just started a company and you work from home.”
“Ask Max. I’m sure she’s got friends. Half the fun is getting to know your roommates, then we can all become lifelong friends.”
“Hmm, I think I’ve heard of this before. Oh yeah, Summer Rental on Bravo.”
She laughs. “I might’ve binge-watched last season, but come on. It looks like so much fun. Parties. Hook-ups. Like when we were in college! You do remember what it was like to get laid, don’t you?”
I roll my eyes. “Even if I could find a place, every weekend is a lot of time for me to take off and—”
“Live a little, will you? A pool, the sun, the beach, the guys. What is there not to like?”
I stare at the ceiling. She’s not going to let this go. Evie has tenacity similar to a bulldog. “I have a mortgage to pay. Customers to service.”
“Keep listing your excuses.” Her annoyance rings through the line. “One day, you’re going to have to put yourself out there.”
I blow out a breath. “I’ll look into it for you. I have some connections.”
