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Carter follows close behind, the aroma of Thai food instantly filling the space from the two bags he’s carrying.
“Oh my God Lila!” Angela exclaims, setting the bottles on the floor and wrapping her arms around me in a hug. “It’s fucking perfect! I want to see everything!”
“There’s not much to see yet,” I laugh, but my voice is full of pride. “Bedroom’s through there, the bathroom’s still tiny but at least it’s just mine, and this is it.”
“I love it,” Angela says firmly. “It’s perfect.”
Carter sets the food down on the kitchen counter that separates the kitchen from the living area. “A hundred percent agree. It’s very you. Though it could use some furniture.”
“My entire life savings has gone on the first month’s rent and deposit, and I’ve got a mattress being delivered tomorrow. Everything else, I’m going to have to save for a little longer,” I tell them.
“Now, more importantly,” Angela says. “When’s the housewarmingparty?”
I hesitate. “I don’t know. Does it make sense to have a party if there isn’t even anywhere to sit?”
“Minor details,” Carter says. “We can just get some scatter cushions and sit on the floor, like they do in Japan.” He pulls out his phone and looks at it for a moment. “How about two weeks? That gives you time to get some basics, andustime to help. You know what, don’t even answer that, it’s already done. I’m putting together the group chat now.”
I laugh. “Who are you adding?”
“Me, Angie, you, obviously, and Harrison,” Carter adds innocently.
“Harrison?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.
“He’s good with playlists,” Carter says innocently. “And didn’t you hear he’s been promoted? Last I heard, he’s been spending a lot of time around a certain Creative Director…” His voice trails off, his tone teasing as I feel a knot tighten in the pit of my stomach.
“What about Becky?” I ask, thinking to make up the numbers.
“Oh, they broke up,” Carter says, almost too quickly.
“Oh,” I say, surprised, when suddenly, a puzzle piece clicks into place in my mind.
“And you would know that…” I goad, glaring at him as his eyes stay fixed firmly on his phone.
He looks up suddenly, slides his phone in his back pocket and comes over close to us.
“Okay, fine, I’m going to say this once, and I’m going to say it quick, cuz I just told him where I am and he asked if he could stop by cuz he’s apparently nearby,” he says.
Angela and I exchange curious glances when Carter speaks in a low voice, his words rushed as though he can’t get them out quick enough. “Harrison and I hooked up last week, and it’s weird, and I don’t knowwhat we are, but I like him, so there. Now you know, and if you say a single word about it, I swear to God I will kill you both in your sleep.” He exhales a long breath as Angela and I burst out laughing.
“Good for you, babe!” Angela says, wrapping him up in a big hug.
“No, no, we’re not doing this, stop, stop, stop,” Carter says pushing her off as I laugh. “Anyways,” he goes on. “I’m inviting him,because, he could mention it to Marcus, and invitehimto come, so that it’s casual.”
Angela’s eyes widen. “Yes! Ilovewhere your mind is at!”
“I don’t know –“ I say.
“Babe, Lila, sweetie -” Angela interrupts me, pulling some plastic champagne flutes out of her bag. “You have been in love with that man since the day you met him. And look how far you’ve come since then. You’re smashing it at work, you’ve got friends who fucking love the shit out of you, and now you’ve got your ownprivateplace, where you can invite anyone you want, anytime you want.”
Carter nods in agreement as he pops the champagne. “Andwhere no roommates will walk in during a make-out session.”
“Carter!” I exclaim, my cheeks burning.
“And where a make-out session, can lead to a bedroom session, and a shower session, and who knows what else session?” Angela teases, as I turn away from her and start unpacking the food out of the bags as an excuse to get away from this conversation.
“She’s right, though,” Carter says. “This is the final piece. You’re ready, babe. Your life is coming together exactly as you planned.”
I turn to face them as he hands me the champagne. Sunlight spills across the room, and for a moment, the truth of his words sinks deep into my bones.