I’d been the first to work in The Burrow, starting my job as a writer atRoamer’s Digesta few days after graduating from the University of Illinois Chicago and then encouraged Kira to apply for a job opening in the building. She was an actuary, and I still had no idea what that meant besides numbers.
I met Ariadne, who had just started working on the second floor, during my first week. While graphic design was her passion, her day job was in IT, saving people from computer bugs and stopping them from buying suspicious gift cards for their boss. And we all hit it off immediately with the building’s best barista.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Britney handed me two cups, and I went to join Kira.
I heard Ariadne’s laugh before I saw her. Short, curly brown hair filled my vision as I gave her a hug from behind. Her hands released their tight grip on her reusable to-go cup to squeeze me back. The most practical person I knew, she always brought coffee from home.
“Where are my sunglasses?” Ariadne asked, pretending to look through her backpack. “This celebrity’s fame is blinding me.”
“Dramatic as always.” I laughed and took a sip of my latte, but internally, my heart sped up.
If I had known that conversation between Noah and me was going to be filmed and posted on social media, I would have never yelled at him like that. I still would have told him off, but I would have found another way to do it. A strongly worded letter, perhaps.
Ariadne continued, “I didn’t realize you knew how to yell.”
“I think the last time Macey got mad, she stole her enemy’s animal crackers during nap time.” Kira laughed but ceased when I glared at her.
“Very funny,” I muttered. “It’s rare that I lose my temper.”
White sneakers pattered against the floor as Britney came running. “Don’t get to the juicy parts without me!” She collapsed on the stool in front of the couch. “Okay, tell us everything. Start with the kissing.”
“Kissing?” I felt like a cartoon character whose eyes popped out of their head.
Britney fluttered her eyelashes innocently. “You were wearing his clothes. I assumed something had happened.”
“Definitely not.” I choked on my drink, and a little bit dribbled down my chin.Get it together, Macey.“All that happened was we left the airport at the same time. He asked me why I think I’m better than him, and I explained to him what makes influencers so frustrating to simple plebeians like me.”
My three best friends sipped their drinks and pointedly looked away.
I suddenly felt like a comedian who told a joke that didn’t land. “What?”
“Well…” Kira started, tucking a lock of long, dark hair behind her ear. “You guys were insulting and complimenting each other at the same time. It was confusing.”
Britney interrupted. “She means arousing.”
“I do not.”
“Just be careful around Noah,” said Ariadne. “I’m not sure what to make of him. Remember when he went viral for getting into a fistfight with that food influencer?”
“At least you know he could fight to defend your honor,” added Britney.
I faintly recalled seeing a viral video a few months ago ofhim in a fistfight. “Don’t worry, I have no desire to talk to him again.”
Kira crossed one leg over the other. “Where did the two of you leave things?”
We didn’t leave things anywhere. We had a small argument that got posted to TikTok and will blow over by the end of the day. Did I feel a little guilty about what I said? Sure, but logically, I knew I felt guilt way too easily, so I wasn’t planning to do anything about it. Our insults to each other evened out. Plus, Noah took pride in being someone who wasn’t fazed by the world around him, so he probably hadn’t even thought of me since the argument.
My finger traced the lid of my cup. “I think we’ll go back to ignoring each other at the next press event.”
“Why? He’s hot. You’re hot. The hookup would be hot,” Britney argued, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. “Let me live vicariously through you. I need this.”
“Well, becauseyouneed it…” I said with an eye roll.
“Now you’re getting it.” Britney hummed, then hurried to her feet when a customer approached the counter. “I’ve got to go, but listen, Noah’s a ten and so are you. Do with that what you will.”
“I have to go, too.” Ariadne shoved her reusable cup into her backpack, then swung it over her shoulders. “I have to help a vice president who doesn’t know how to reset his computer password.”
Kira and I joined her, taking the rest of our coffees into the elevator. “Two dollars that his password includes a birthdate,” she whispered to me.
