When I first see The Place, I assume it’s a scam. A pet-friendly one-bedroom with in-unit washer and dryer, ten blocks from theBelladonnaoffices? Only two hundred bucks above my budget? Can’t exist.
“I think it’s real,” Cat breathes. “Look, it just got listed today. I bet somebody fell through.”
“It’s too good to be true,” I argue. “I mean, look at that. Recently refurbished kitchen, built-in bookshelves in the living room? It’s a sham.”
“Apply for it,” Cat orders. “Now. If you can’t afford it, I’ll loan you the money.”
I roll my eyes, but I take the laptop from her and start filling out the fields. “The money should work out, actually. I’ve got my winnings from the White Elephant party for the security deposit, and my raise would help with the rent. It doesn’t matter, though. No apartment with windows overlooking a flower garden is real.”
Except after twenty minutes, my phone rings with an unknown number. I pick it up, hoping it’s not spam. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Pippa Murphey?” The voice on the other end is young, female, and stressed.
“Uh, yes, speaking.”
“You just applied for the one bedroom on Wellesley, right?”
My mouth drops open. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Sorry. I just saw the listing and I thought it might be a scam. The rent on the website is accurate, right?”
“It’s accurate,” the woman says. “We’re hoping to move quickly on this. I have to ask—are you the same Pippa Murphy who writes forBelladonna?”
“Uh, yeah, that’s me.”
“Seriously? Wow, this is so cool. I’m not trying to fangirl on you, but I’m obsessed with your 12 Dates articles. I swear, I must have gone out with the same CryptoBro as you.”
“Well, then, I’m sorry.” I grin so hard, it hurts my cheeks a little. I know that I technically have fans, but it’s so rare to meet one in real life instead of online.
“Look, I’m supposed to get landlord references, but I think we can skip that. I just want to get someone in the apartment quickly who I don’t have to worry about.”
“I have to ask, why is this place available so quickly?”
“There was a couple that was supposed to move in today, but apparently somebody cheated, they had a big argument, and they broke the lease. The landlord wanted a new renter ASAP, so he dropped the rent a few hundred dollars.”
“Wow. And by ASAP you mean?—”
“It means if you can come by tomorrow with a check with first and last month’s rent plus security, you can move in this weekend.”
“Yes!” I squeal. “Yes. Oh my god, I’ve never been happier to hear about a breakup.”
“And thanks to you, I can spend the rest of New Year’s Day at home with my cats,” she says.
“Well?” Cat says expectantly when I hang up.
“The Place is real, and it’smine! I can move out in a few days.”
“It’s a miracle! I’d say let’s open some champagne?—”
“—if I didn’t hate champagne, and if we weren’t getting over the world’s worst hangovers,” I finish.
“Exactly. Do you want to stay in the apartment again tonight, Pips? You can stay in the guest room, or I can make Nate crash at Beau’s place for another night.”
I shake my head. “I’ve intruded enough. Let Mr. Grumpy have his apartment back. Ryan has his big New Year’s Day poker tournament today, so he’ll be holed up on the poker floor all night. I doubt I’ll see him.”
Cat’s brow furrows. “Are you sure?”
