In a New York Minute(67)

“He’s just somehow even more awkward over text, and it’s oddly charming.”

Cleo flopped back down on the pillows behind her. “It’s like he’s so handsome he never had to learn social skills.”

I took a sip of water. “I’m just worried that I’ve now put both of us in a strange position. And, like, way to go, me—kissing the first client I’ve ever had.” I shook my head, frustrated at myself. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted.

“You’ve really set me up here.” Lola’s eyes twinkled. “Should I say what I want to say?”

Cleo kicked at her playfully. “No!” she scolded.

Lola snorted in reply. “Fine. But you make it too easy sometimes, Fran!”

“No, but seriously.” I frowned, thinking things through. “I’ve started my own business. I don’t need to be making out with my clients, especially my first one. I should be using him for referrals, not his body.”

“That’s fair,” Cleo mused. “But in your defense, you did meet him outside of work. In a totally random and also cliché-to-the-point-of-being-absurdly-romantic way. So it’s only fair that this happened.”

“I’m just second-guessing everything now,” I said, nervously chewing on a fingernail.

“And technically, you’re done working for him. The party was last night.” Cleo leaned forward, and I could tell she was excited by this work-around. Solving things wasn’t just her specialty; it made her giddy.

I nodded. “I’m just waiting on my final payment from them.”

“So there’s your out. As long as you both consent to moving forward with some sort of physical relationship, you’re fine. You can, in fact, use him for his body.”

“Agreed,” Lola said with a slow clap. Cleo bowed in the most exaggerated way possible.

“So can I make my strange-position joke now?” Lola asked.

“No!” Cleo shouted, throwing a pillow at Lola, who ducked so it landed behind her.

My phone sounded again, and we all jumped. I peered down, expecting more from Hayes. Instead, it was a number I didn’t recognize.

Hi Franny, this is Serena!!! Hayes gave me your number. I’d love to hop on a call to discuss possibly working together. I moved a couple of months ago and my apartment needs major tlc. I’m in a 2br right on Gramercy Park. Xoxoxo



“Oh boy,” I said with a big sigh, and read it out loud to my friends. She lived in one of the most exclusive parts of the city, where residents got a key to a private park.

“Wow, it’s like she has a sixth sense,” Cleo mused.

“This is crazy,” I said, unease settling in my bones. “What now—I’m going to make out with the guy she was dating and then also decorate her apartment?”

“I mean, yeah.” Lola gave me a confused look. “That’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

“Nope. No.” I shook my head. “This is who I’m supposed to follow in the Hayes Montgomery dating pool? A hot woman who can afford to live on Gramercy Park? I should have never kissed him.”

“I’m sure it’s family money. No one our age could afford that on their own,” Lola grumbled with a knowing eye roll as Cleo gave me a serious look.

“Franny, please don’t get in your head comparing yourself to her again,” Cleo said as she leaned closer. “He asked you to dance at the gala, remember?”

“Yeah, after she dumped him! I was probably some in-the-moment rebound.” I closed my eyes to think for a minute. My face was hot. I felt so foolish.

“Did I like kissing him? Yes,” I said finally. “But it feels like a mistake. And I have to be my own boss here, and boss Franny is saying a client/designer relationship is a no.”

“But a Hayes/Franny relationship is such a yes,” Lola said, hands in the air, as if it were obvious.

“I know we can’t tell you what to do…,” Cleo said.

“You can’t,” I interjected.

“But I think it’s a mistake not to pursue this with him,” she finished.

Lola nodded in agreement. “Also, we never even got to double-date,” she said with a pout.

“Obviously, you should do what you think is best,” said Cleo, sounding resigned. “And we’ll support you no matter what.”

“Great,” I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “I’m gonna nip it in the bud now.”

“Can we at least help you craft this text back to him?” Lola asked.

“Obviously,” I said, and we huddled around my phone.

Forty-eight minutes later, I hit SEND.

Hey! Happy to hop on the phone, or we could meet up tomorrow somewhere if you feel like coffee. Brooklyn Bridge Park?



I’d spent fifteen minutes debating a reply to his comment about being charming, but decided against it. Better to set up this boundary now. Even if it was cute. And charming. Which it was.

Damn it.

A couple minutes later, my phone rang: Hayes. “Oh my god, it’s him,” I whispered to my friends.

“Ooooh boy,” Lola muttered as she reached for the container of scallion pancakes at the same time as Cleo said, “Why are you whispering?”