“I don’t know. Love, I guess?” I wouldn’t know much about either, love or committing to one dick. In this city of apparent endless dicks—according to Jules—I’ve yet to explore even one. The last dick I encountered was in college three years ago. It seems like a lifetime. Would I even know what to do? Is it like riding a bicycle, you just remember how?
Maybe that’s why I’m nervous about this weekend. I want everything to go smoothly, as anyone throwing a party for a major milestone in their childhood best friend’s life would want, but after being in New York for two years, it feels like I should have more glamour and excitement in my life. Lauren thinks I do. That was her reason for wanting to celebrate her impending nuptials in the city that never sleeps. Little does she know, I’m usually passed out by ten o’clock. The only reason I’m up past midnight is if I can’t put down the book I’m reading.
I’ll give myself some credit. I did move to New York City on my own, without knowing anyone. I found my apartment in East Harlem. It’s a shoebox, but it’s all mine. No roommates or pesky younger siblings rummaging through my stuff and stealing my dad’s hand-me-down vintage concert t-shirts. As the oldest of five kids, I earned those.
And, out of a large and highly-qualified pool of candidates, JoAnna St. Clair selected me as her editorial assistant. So maybe the pressure of living up to her expectations has put my love life, aka dick exploration, on pause. Like Jules said, we’re only twenty-five, there’s plenty of time for that.
“We were at Bounce on Saturday. It was such a vibe. Oh! And I met a guy.” She takes a sip of her iced caramel macchiato. “For you.”
“For me?”
“Yes! He’s handsome and successful. A finance guy or something. The music was really loud. I didn’t get the details, but I showed him a picture of you and he said he was interested.”
“I don’t love blind dates. You know I’m not the best at going in blind. I need talking points. Areas of common interest.”
“How about you’re both attractive people that are interested in sex at the end of the night?”
“Jules.” I level her with a stare.
“What? It works for me.” She tosses her empty coffee in a nearby trash can before she follows me into our building. “And I already set it up. So you could go and see what you think. No pressure.”
I sigh. “When?”
“Next week. Wednesday. For dinner.”
“Fine,” I say, punching the elevator button.
“This will be good for you. You’ll see.”
A minute later, the elevator opens to reception at St. Clair Press. Jules waves as she takes the hallway toward marketing and I go left toward the executive area where my and JoAnna’s offices are located.
There’s something about the office that’s buzzing today. I’m not sure what it is exactly but there’s something in the air that has me crackling with excitement.
Lindy, one of the romance editors, passes me in the hallway.
“Lacey had her baby early.” She’s gathering signatures on a congratulatory card and offers it to me to sign.
“That’s great.” I smile, feeling happy for Lacey, but also wondering what that means for her position during maternity leave.
I have been subtle—and not so subtle—about wanting the job whenever JoAnna brings it up. This has got to be it and it’s what I’ve come to New York for.
JoAnna summons me from her office with a quick email that reads “Come see me, please.” I quickly stop by the kitchen to grab her a coffee with two hazelnut creamers, the way she likes it, and a black coffee for me—definitely not the way I like it. But today I feel like being like those book editors I’ve always read about, drinking black coffee and smoking cigarettes. I refuse to smoke but I’ll try the coffee.
“So, I’m sure you’ve heard that Lacey had her baby early,” JoAnna says as I place both coffees on the desk.
“Yes. I saw Lindy in the hallway. That’s exciting!” I grin at her. I take a sip of the warm black liquid, trying not to grimace. Black coffee is gross.
JoAnna pauses—probably from the look on my face—but doesn’t say anything. She continues, “I had hoped for more of a transition period, but babies are unpredictable. I have decided that you will be taking over for Lacey while she’s on maternity leave.”
“Yes!” I say a bit too loud and JoAnna looks at me with an amused smirk. Come on, Chloe, keep it together. “I mean, thank you!”