In a New York Minute(58)

“Tyler did most of it—let’s be honest.” I slid into my chair, flipping open my laptop. “That famous DJ they’re friends with agreed to spin for a couple hours for half their normal rate. Tyler knows everyone.”

“The guy who has the residency in Stockholm?” Eleanor asked, legitimately wowed.

“That’s the one,” I said with a nod.

“Maybe Tyler should be COO,” Eleanor joked.

“Not so fast,” I said. “I signed off on everything. Double-checked the budget. And I hired these caterers Serena recommended.”

Eleanor applauded.

“Oh, and Citi Bike is giving everyone a discount code to use so they can ride to and from the party.”

“Ooooh,” Eleanor said, sounding excited.

“I knew you’d like that.” I felt slightly smug.

“So if Serena gave you her preferred caterer, things must be getting serious,” Eleanor joked, poking around for info.

“I have to go prep for this call with Luis about the space he found for us in Seattle,” I said, grateful for the excuse not to discuss my romantic life. Especially because I’d decided after my conversation with Perrine that I needed to break things off with Serena. I didn’t want to do it right before her big event. She’d been working on the gala for months, and I knew that it was more than just a party for her; it was personal. I couldn’t decide which was a crappier move—calling things off before we went, or right after.

I sat down at my desk to send a quick email, but instead I picked up my phone, and found my finger hovering over Franny’s name.

Hi Franny, Just wanted to see if you’ll need to stop by the office anytime this week.



I hit SEND on the text before I could stop myself.

Her reply was immediate. No, I’m good! I’m waiting on the final greenery order for your main offices and lobby. She followed up with a completely benign thumbs-up emoji.

I popped my head back into Eleanor’s office. “Hey,” I said.

“Yeah?” She looked up from her computer.

“Do you want to grab lunch?” I asked. “It’s so nice out today. We could eat in the park.”

She tilted her head to study me. “You okay?”

“Of course. Why?” I crossed my arms, waiting impatiently for her answer.

“You”—she pointed a manicured finger at me—“never take lunch breaks.”

“What do you mean? I have lunch with Perrine, like, twice a month.”

Oh. That’s what she meant. She raised her palms at me. “See?”

“Okay, well, I’m going to eat my lunch outside today,” I said. “I might even take a full hour.”

“I’m impressed! And I’m in.” Eleanor smirked, clearly amused. “You can tell me all about your dinner with Serena. It sounds like from what she’s told Henry, she’s into you.”

My stomach dropped at the thought of dipping back into my feelings and figuring out how to navigate them. It had felt way easier to just focus on the launch party and the Seattle office plans than deciding what to do about ending things with Serena. Not because I was worried about breaking it off, but because once I did, I’d have to deal with my feelings for Franny.

*



The steps of the natural history museum were lit up like a beacon, photographers hollering at the top of their lungs at people I didn’t know to turn this way and move that way. I checked in with the press person managing the guest list, who shouted something into a headset. Minutes later, Serena was gliding toward me, in an eye-poppingly low-cut red dress, her hair sleek and long in a ponytail down her back.

“I didn’t think it was possible for you to be more handsome, but here you are in a tux,” she said, linking her hands with mine and leaning in for a kiss on the cheek.

“You look stunning,” I said into her ear. It was the absolute truth. It wasn’t just the dress; Serena was magnetic.

The red carpet was louder than I’d expected. Brighter too. The click of the cameras and the furiously shouted demands of the photographers created an overwhelming cacophony of noise. “This way, please, Serena!”

And then it was done, and Serena led me into the museum. But instead of following the flow of people to the Hall of Ocean Life, she pulled me aside, into the shadows of a giant marble pillar.

“Listen,” she said, giving my hand a squeeze, “I really appreciate you coming tonight, and I don’t want to make things awkward.”

I squinted, my mind working quickly, trying to track where this was going.

“But I think you and I are probably better as friends.” She looked at me, waiting for a reply. “And I think you might feel the same way too?”

I did feel the same way. Exactly the same. But this announcement, here, was still not what I was expecting.

“I do think that, actually. Yeah,” I said, processing my surprise. “I think you’re great, but I’m just not…” I’m not here, I wanted to say. Even when I’m with you, in my brain I’m always with someone else.

“Feeling it?” she finished, smiling.

I smiled back, appreciating her bluntness. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.”

“Look.” She placed a hand on my forearm. “I don’t want to waste your time, or my time, if this isn’t working. And I was thinking about how I was going to introduce you to my friends tonight, and I realized it didn’t feel right to say ‘boyfriend.’ And that got me thinking.”