“Yeah, the rest of the girls aren’t here yet.”
“Oh, I know that. I was wondering if Tanner was going to be on your couch again.”
“Not funny,” I deadpan.
“Yes it is,” she chuckles. There’s another knock, and Lacey and Chloe walk in.
Lacey’s eyes dart around the space. “Wait, Tanner didn’t sleep on the couch?” she asks, gesturing towards the sofa. “I was fully prepared for him to be here.”
“I had the same thought,” Gray says. “It’s a shame.”
“I hate all of you but Chloe.”
“How are you feeling about the move?” Chloe asks.
“I don’t know. He cooked me dinner the other night, and it was honestly a little awkward. Nice, but he seemed so nervous, and then when I offered to pay, he told me he was rich and said he didn’t want my money, just the opportunity to prove he’s not a douchebag, and I felt like the biggest bitch.”
“It’s not your fault he’s a flirt,” Chloe says.
“I know. I just hope this doesn’t go up in complete flames.”
“It won’t,” Lacey smiles. “It’ll be fine. I keep telling you he’s a good guy, and it’s because he is. You just need to get to know him.”
“Well I’ve agreed to roomie nights once a week, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“What the hell is a roomie night?” Gray asks. There is another knock. I walk over and swing it open.
“Here, take these. I need to go get the supplies I brought,” Poppy says, handing me a tray full of coffee. She turns on her heels and heads back to the car.
I walk back into my living room and hand Chloe her drink before taking mine. “I don’t know. I guess we're just gonna hang out platonically and get to know each other.”
“Platonically,” Lacey says, using her fingers to make air quotes.
“Yes, platonically. He said something about not wanting my money, he’d rather my time.” All three of my friendsmake eyes at each other and then me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Poppy asks, walking in, holding a bin full of colorful tape and markers.
“Wren was just explaining that T asked her to pay him with her time, not money.”
Poppy’s eyes go wide.
“It’s nothing, and it’s not all I’m going to do. I think I might try to make an effort to cook him dinner as part of my payment.”
“You cook?” Gray asks.
“Well, no, not really, but I gotta do something.”
“Seems like you could pick something you’re better at?”
“Not funny,” I say, blankly.
“So, whatcha got there, Pop?” Lacey asks.
“Moving supplies.” She sets the bin down and starts pulling out colorful tape and markers. “Kitchen can be pink, bathroom can be blue, art supplies can be yellow, living room can be purple.” She holds up each roll of tape as she talks. “Bedroom can be orange, and so on.”
“Genius,” I say.
She turns and looks right at Lacey. “When you pack a box, put the coordinating tape on the box, and then use the markers to write what’s in the box. This way Wren will know where all her stuff is.”
