Raina works for a fashion designer, Shelby Tomè, interning as her junior designer, which is a more dignified way to say she’s Shelby’s errand girl who occasionallygets to do important things like choosing textiles and deciding on potential upcoming trends. She loves it, but aftersixyearsof being an intern, the position has run its course.
“Has she hinted at it? Why a month?”
“She hasn’t, but I sure have. Subtly. Not so subtly. Even outright asked for it. And I don’t know, a month just sounds good, right? Another solid four weeks, and if she hasn’t given me a promotion by then, I’ll give her an ultimatum.”
“Think that’ll work?”
She pops a cherry tomato into her mouth, chewing slowly as she looks at me, as though giving it some thought. “If it doesn’t, I have nothing to lose, anyway.”
“You can always come intern for me,” I tease, nudging her softly in the side.
“Not my field of expertise, babe.”
We both quiet down as a waiter sets plates down in front of us. They’re filled to the brim with the most beautiful display of breakfast foods.
I practically salivate.
Fresh grapes and squares of cheese. A croque madame made on a buttery croissant, rolled French toast, a buckwheat crepe smothered in sautéed mushroom gravy. And as though that isn’t enough, two perfect, miniature beignets topped with powdered sugar sit perfectly on the edge with a small sprig of mint leaves between them.
“Oh, my gosh, Cecilia is going to be devastated thatshe missed out on all of this.” I don’t wait before diving in, cutting into my rolled French toast first.
“How is Lia doing, anyway? I feel like she hardly leaves the house. Would it be rude of me to just pick this up?” she asks, poking at her croque madame with her fork. “Itisa sandwich.”
“Depends on who’s watching. Some of these women won’t even notice, while others will act like you personally offended them.”
She glances around, shrugging, before placing her fork down and picking up her croissant.
“She’s good,” I continue. “Same as always. I’ve been trying to encourage her to get out there and meet someone, but you know how she is.”
“Lia doesn’tneedto meet someone, sis. She can have a baby without a man. Modern technology is pretty amazing.”
“She doesn’tjustwant a baby, she wants a family. A life with someone.”
“Well, she won’t find that by sitting in your apartment all day.”
“Exactly why I told her to go out today and get laid.”
She laughs around a bite of her sandwich, earning her a few side-eyes. “Good. I hope she listens to that advice.”
“She won’t,” I murmur, suddenly distracted. My attention shifts to a conversation happening across the table.
Actually, it seems as though several of us have hadtheir attention stolen by Hera Whitney, as multiple women have completely abandoned their food to listen, Raina included.
“He tried so hard to get my attention at the masquerade—it wassocharming. But of course I made him work for it!” She giggles, swishing her auburn hair off her shoulder. “Then, when he finally did get my number, he put it to use. The man hasn’t stopped texting me in days!”
Her friend next to her audiblyswoons. Full-on deep sigh, palms settling on either side of her face as she watches Hera intensely.
“We have our first official date tomorrow night! Norah is coming with us, and Sully is bringing his best friend. It’s so circa two-thousand fourteen, and I personally couldn't be more excited.”
“Wait, Sully Rochester?” Raina speaks up, butting into the conversation. “As in, New York’s biggest playboy?That’swho you’re excited to go on a date with?”
Hera’s head snaps toward us, her brown eyes sharpening into a glare. “I’m sorry—who are you again?” she asks, feigning boredom.
Classic mean girl, that one.
Raina laughs loudly before taking another bite of her food. She doesn’t bother finishing it completely before answering her, talking with food still in her mouth. “All I’m saying is, that charm is sweet for now, but the man is a stage-five clinger.”
My brow shoots to my hairline as I turn my head to look at my friend, confused, because I’ve neveronce heard her mention the name Sully Rochester to me.
