People were taking notes. Everyone wanted to be one of the lucky twenty.
“But of course, we aren’t just going to take your word for it,” Tatiana added. “Anyone who wants to put their name in the ring will have to sign up on the website we are launching. Your fellow neighbors will need to review you. We’ll take those reviews into consideration when we accept you to the lottery program.”
“I’ll be having a hand in the selection as well, seeing as how I’m the person who knows everyone,” the landlord boasted.
People who just a few moments ago were all ready to link arms and march against the development eyed each other with suspicion.
I need that rent-stabilized apartment.It was the only way I was going to become a homeowner.
Someone jumped up and pointed at the woman who had complained about not being able to bathe her kids.
“Her children scream nonstop! Don’t give her an apartment.”
“Oh yeah? You cook that nasty-smelling fish stew,” another man yelled, jumping up. “You definitely can’t give her an apartment.”
Shit, this was turning ugly. I still needed to prepare myself for my next meeting, which happened to be with Tatiana. While she, I was sure, would call an Uber, I had to take the subway all the way uptown.
As I stood up, hoping to slink away before Tatiana noticed me and my disheveled state, the bride looked at me, and her eyes widened slightly. Then she gave me a smug smile and blew me a kiss.
* * *
I was goingto be very late.
The train had only traveled two stops and was in a tunnel on the way to the next one when it had lurched to a stop. All the lights had cut out, and we had been stuck in the pitch black.
“I’m going to die here.” I was starting to panic. “I’m going to die, and I’m never going to see Sebastian’s cock.”
An older woman shined her phone flashlight on me and patted me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry! If it comes to that, we’re going to brave the tunnels. Trust me. I’m married to a man who has issues in the size department. Love him, but lord, I wish he had a cock like the one you’re dreaming about.”
“Er, thanks,” I said weakly, flapping my shirt in the stale air of the train car.
She fist-bumped me. “It’s the sisterhood.”
* * *
“It’s just my shitty luck,”I fumed as I stomped up the subway steps a block away from the Brookview Hotel, where the Weddings in the City office was located.
I was supposed to have been there hours ago.
“Why does my life suck so much?” I yelled loudly as I stepped off the elevator.
“Amy, you made it,” Ivy said.
Tatiana, who was sitting perfectly in that enviable suit, gave me a little smirk.
“Sorry, I had transportation issues,” I muttered.
“You’re just in time. We were just about to discuss the flowers,” Ivy said.
“Right.” I wiped off the sweat that was beading around my forehead and rummaged in my bag for my sketchpad.
I really wish I had showered.
At least the air conditioning was chugging.
Elsie handed me a glass of chilled raspberry lemonade with a splash of gin.
I took a fortifying sip.
