Page 93 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“Sure, to this judge.”

“You pick your clothes based on the presiding judge?”

I’m lost to how she doesn’t know this. Doesn’t everybody plan their professional clothes around impressions and performance? I glance at her pants with another cat print, suddenly realizing maybe it doesn’t matter in all fields. “Nice pants.”

“Don’t mock me just because you’re absorbed by the shade of a tie in hopes it wins you the case. Next, you’re going to say the material plays a role.”

“Good point. Maybe I should go with the pure silk.”

Throwing her arms up in the air, she storms to the door. Just inside the hall, she whips back around. “For your information, these pants are the cat’s pajamas,” she says, slowly enunciating the last two words.

“I get it. They’re pajama pants.”

“No.” She huffs, shaking her head. “You don’t get it. You know, like the bee’s knees?” Staring at my blank face, she adds, “Cat’s pajamas?Oh, forget it.They’re awesome. That’s all that matters.” By seeing how bothered she is when she walks off, I start to wonder if we just had our first argument.Shit.I don’t even know what it’s about.

“Hey, Tealey?” I call, dipping my head into the hall. “So no on the burgundy?”

Her door slams closed. “Okay, I’ll go with green. That color always brings me luck.”

Before I head out, I stop by her room. Standing there, I begin to wonder how this will work exactly with her room and mine. Will we start shacking up in the same room, or will she want her space, like now? Will I want mine?

I don’t think there will be an issue for me. I’ll go where she goes, wherever she’s most comfortable. I knock. “I’m sorry.”

The door cracks open, and she’s standing with a cocked eyebrow. “For what?”

Resting against the doorframe, I shrug. “I don’t actually know, but I don’t want you upset either.”

She opens the door and steps into my arms. “Not everyone gets my humor.”

“They’re idiots.”

“You didn’t get the joke.”

“Sometimes, I’m an idiot as well.”

Squeezing me in her arms, she says, “You’re not. Not at all.” She walks to the kitchen but glances over her shoulder with a smile. “I like your tie. You look very handsome. I’m sure the judge will love it.”

“Thanks,” I reply coyly. She grins.

“I need to leave in a few minutes, but I wanted to talk about us once more.”

“What do you want to talk about?” She hands me a bottle of water and then starts filling a cup with water from the faucet for herself.

“Marlow and her father are scheduled for a meeting today.”

“Oh.” There’s a curtness in the simple response.

“It was supposed to be over lunch or dinner, but I had Ashleigh reschedule to meet at the office.”

She perks up a bit. “I see.”

Not sure why I’m holding back, but I need to get to my point. “The group gossips.”

“They do,” she replies and then takes a sip of water. “Is this about keeping us a secret?”

Thank God she said it.Now I don’t feel shitty for bringing it up again.

She goes on, “I agree. I still don’t have all the details, but what does it hurt to pretend you’re together if it’s only for her father? And, with the wedding just around the corner, we shouldn’t take away the spotlight. Friends aside . . .” She comes closer and straightens my jacket. “I like that we have something that only we share, so I’m good with keepingusa secret.”

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