City Love(62)

“But if you lived here, you wouldn’t have to come in. You’d already be here.”

“Paying twice the rent for half the space.”

“I heard the rents in Jersey City and Hoboken are almost as bad as the rents here.”

“They’re getting there. Especially for new construction on the waterfront. But for the most part it’s considerably more affordable.”

“I totally get what you’re saying.” I stir more sugar into my coffee. “But don’t you love the energy of Manhattan? Wouldn’t you rather live here?”

“Sure, as soon as I become the first urban planner to achieve millionaire status. Then I’ll get right on that brownstone on Greenwich Street.”

“You’ll have to renovate it first.”

“No doubt. Like a boss.”


“Get ready for me to take over one of your guest rooms.”

“Please do.”

“Will you have a rooftop garden? I’m going to need a rooftop garden.”

“You’re into gardening?”

“Not yet, but I will be when you have a rooftop garden. We can grow herbs—ooh! We’ll grow basil and I’ll make fresh pesto all summer. Pesto is only good when basil is abundant. Of course I’ll want sunflowers, daisies, lilies of the valley . . . all the good summer flowers. Daffodils in the spring. You should do window boxes for even more flowers.”

“Should I get an interior designer, or do you have the whole house planned?”

“I’m down with designing everything.”

“Then we’re all set.”

I eat my pie. Should I drop this discussion before I say too much? Of course I should. Is that going to stop me? Apparently not.

“You don’t have to have millions of dollars to live here,” I say. “You just need enough passion and determination to find what you’re looking for.”

Austin puts his fork down. He studies me. “You really are an eternal optimist. I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

“Do you think I’m naive?”

“Not so much naive as hopeful.” Austin shakes his head in amazement. “I’m so lucky I found you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” I say.

“We’re both lucky. And I’ve already found what I was looking for. I found you.”

I absolutely believe that Austin was looking for me just like I was looking for him. When I imagined finding my soul mate, I knew he would love me for who I am. Austin totally does.

“Can I ask you something?” I say.

“You can ask me anything.”

“Would you like to spend the whole weekend together?”

“Um . . . yes?”

“But for real. This weekend. At my place.”

Austin hesitates. “You’re serious.”

“What if you came over after internship tomorrow and forgot to go home until Sunday night?”

“That would be awesome. But I don’t think I can swing it.”

“Why not?”

Austin leans his elbows on the table, rubbing his face like he’s suddenly exhausted. Crap. I shouldn’t have said anything. Why did I have to rush it?

“I’d have to figure some things out, is all. Move some things around.”

“You already have plans?”

“Not exactly.”

“Oh.” I stare at my plate. Nothing but crumbs remain.

“But . . . I think I can make it happen.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

I can’t wait to tell Rosanna and Darcy that Austin’s spending the weekend at our place. Only . . . we haven’t talked about visitors yet. What if they don’t want him there? I’m about to tell Austin that I have to check with my roommates, but then I decide to wait and see what they say. Even though Rosanna, Darcy, and I just met, I have a feeling they’ll be in my corner when it comes to true love.





TWENTY-NINE

DARCY


SADIE AND I ARE ITCHING to start the movie when Rosanna bursts in from her date with D. If Rosanna were more like me, I would have suspected we might not see her until the walk of shame brought her home at dawn.

“Are you okay?” Sadie asks Rosanna from the armchair she’s called dibs on for movie night. Which is fine by me. This couch and I have developed a close relationship.

“Yeah, I’m good.” Rosanna is all flushed. Any girl on the planet could recognize her post-hookup glow.

“So was it good for you?” I prod.

“Was what—” Rosanna realizes I’m messing with her. “Just give me a second to change.”

“Take your time.” I stretch out on the couch and give Sadie a smirk. After Rosanna’s door closes, I say, “That girl is having the time of her life.”

“She can take a number,” Sadie says. “I’m having the best time ever. Of anyone’s life.”

“What’d you guys do tonight?” I ask.

“We went to this pie place I love. Oh, so . . . Austin wants to stay here this weekend. Would that be okay with you?”

“Of course. Why are you even asking?”

“We haven’t talked about the visitors thing yet.”