Page 13 of You & I, Rewritten

I place my hands on either side of my bathroom sink and lock eyes with my reflection.

“Will Cowen, this is not the time for nerves.”

These pep talks started off as a way to cope with my worsening anxiety when I was younger, but lately, I’ve relied on them more and more as a reminder that I can do whatever “hard thing” life throws my way.

“She will be there, everyone will fawn over her, and tonight will be perfect. Get. It. Together.”

Unzipping the garment bag Klair hung on the back of my door, I can’t help but smile at the beautifully tailored deep-blue suit she picked out for me. One of the many, many perks of living with Klair is access to her extensive fashion knowledge. I can always count on her to make sure I’m dressed for any occasion, albeit I do have to reign her in sometimes. But not today. Today, she knocked it out of the park.

I step out of my bedroom just in time to watch Klair, decked out in an emerald slip dress and looking every bit the fashionable influencer that she is, ceremoniously pop a bottle of champagne and pour two glasses with a flourish. Her long brown hair is styled in loose curls that frame her face perfectly. Everything about Klair is over the top, from her choice in home décor to her glamorous style, but because she is so genuinely sweet, it never comes across as too much.

“Oh ok…wow! You look amazing!” She hands me a rather large pour of our favorite bubbly and gives me a twirl so I can really take in every inch of her beautiful dress.

“I want to raise a toast to you, myoldestand dearest friend.” I ignore the extra emphasis she placed on my age and lift my glass to meet hers. “We’ve been through a lot together, you and I. But I just want to say how thankful I am to have you back in my life like this.”

“Oh wow, Klair…we’re doing one of these?” I have to keep it light or she’ll have me sobbing in seconds. Not many people can sway my emotions these days as easily as Klair can.

“Shut up and let me finish! Your friendship means the world to me, Will, and I am so excited to be heading into this next chapter of our lives together just like the old days. So cheers to the leaps of faith we’ve taken to get to where we are today and to the ones we’re about to!”

Well, that did it. Klair is the only person in my entire life who truly knows me, inside and out. She knows my past—my real past—and she’s never once shown me anything but kindness. She’s my most fierce protector and I will never be able to repay her for that.

“I think you’re trying to kill me,” I say, attempting to clear the lump forming in my throat. “I don’t know what I did to ever deserve a friend like you, but I hope you know that I am forever grateful we chose one another as family.”

We each take a long sip from our champagne flutes, the delicious bubbly instantly snapping me out of my emotional mood the second it touches my tongue. “Come on, let’s get out of here!”

* * *

Our building’s expansive lobby has been completely transformed in a matter of hours.

I’m left utterly speechless as Klair and I enter. Gorgeous drapery has been hung in every direction, creating the most intimate enclosure complete with twinkling lights, candles on practically every surface—this MUST be a fire hazard, no?—and soft, live music. This entire vibe has Klair written all over it.

“Oh baby girl! You outdid yourse—” My compliment trails off as I turn to see Klair whisked into an enthusiastic embrace by random members of our team, clearly having the same reaction I am—utterly and completely shook. She mouths ``Sorry” in my direction but is clearly loving everyone’s reaction to her genius.

I help myself to another glass of champagne from an impeccably dressed server, mingle with my team and make introductions when necessary, and resist every urge to check my phone every five seconds.Come on, Lana…where are you?

The crowd parts ever so slightly, giving me the perfect view of Graham and his father, Mitch—the picture-perfect duo—charming everyone in their presence. For an older gentleman, Mitch is quite handsome and has built an enviable career with that contagious charm, a trait clearly passed on to his delicious son.

No. Not tonight…no matter how mouthwatering Graham looks in that oh-so-tight-in-all-the-right-places suit, tonight is work!

Literally shaking the beginning of the most tantalizing daydream involving a shirtless Graham and a copy room from my head, I scan the bar hoping to make eye contact with Klair. She’s in her element and as much as I could use an ally right now, or even a drinking partner in crime, she deserves all the praise and attention she’s receiving after pulling this event off. Downing my drink, I force myself back into the throngs of book lovers to mingle, praying that Lana gets here soon so I don’t look like the most incompetent editor in the history of editing.

* * *

“She’s not coming.”

I can see Klair trying to find the words to make this situation better, if they even exist, but instead she just sits with me as I make another glass of champagne disappear.Classy.

“I know this whole thing came out of the blue, but this was supposed to be our big night, Klair..”I can feel my voice getting louder and I’m sure I’m making a scene, but right now, at this very moment, I truly don’t care.

I’d finally felt like I had proven myself with this one. Lana’s manuscript was such a fresh take on trauma and pain and man, I sold the hell out of it to the team. Everyone, and I meaneveryone, has been buzzing about this one, and selfishly, I couldn’t be happier that it’s mine.

“Listen, why don’t we put down the champagne for the evening…” Klair’s voice is on the edge of concern. I must be close to embarrassing myself. “Let’s get out of here. We can grab some burgers on our way home, watch some mindless reality television show, and put all of this out of our minds until tomorrow.”

I know she’s right—there’s absolutely nothing I can do now to make the situation any better. Lana’s phone appears to be off and the last thing I need is to be seen at a work function somewhere between publicly intoxicated and belligerent. This is just something I’ll have to address tomorrow.

“Burgers and trash television with you sound heavenly right now. I’m in!” But before I can move from my claimed spot at the bar, the one and only person at the entire event I desperately didnotwant seeing me like this plops his impeccably dressed self into the empty seat right next to Klair.

“You really created something magical tonight,” Graham says to Klair, a mix of relief and appreciation filling his voice. He turns to me and adds, “Good to see you, Will. I hope you’re enjoying your first event as part of the team.” I can’t tell if he’s being genuinely kind or if he’s taken in the sight of the six, or is it seven, empty champagne glasses in front of me. “These things tend to be rather boring.”

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