“He's not a player, he's actually a decent guy, and you're living in the same apartment for the next two months.” She pauses, studying my face. “So why do you look like someone just told you Christmas is canceled?”
I slump back in my chair. “Don't you see? This is my one shot, Ariel. If I get involved with a player and it goes south, I'm screwed. It will ruin my company’s reputation. I've waited years for this chance.”
Ariel sighs. “It's just like you to overthink things. Can't you try living in the moment for once and actually enjoy yourself?”
I wince. “Am I really that bad?”
Ariel laughs. “Harper, remember junior year when Finn Scott asked you to prom?”
I groan. “Oh God, don't.”
“You spent three weeks analyzing every possible outcome. What if his friends didn't like you? What if you had nothing to talk about? What if he was only asking because he felt sorry for you?” She shakes her head, grinning. “Meanwhile, the poor boy was probably wondering why you needed two weeks to think about a simple yes or no question.”
“I was being practical,” I protest weakly.
“You were seventeen and terrified of taking a risk. Some things never change,” Ariel says.
Her words spark something defensive in me. “That's not fair. I do take risks, Ariel. Hayes & Company wouldn't exist if I didn't. I took out loans I couldn't afford, competed against companies ten times my size?—”
“Professional risks,” Ariel interrupts gently. “You're fearless when it comes to business. But not when it comes to your personal life. You build walls so high that most people can't even find the door, let alone get through it.”
She’s right. I’ve only ever had one boyfriend, and even then, business took up a lot of my time.
“You think everything has to be some grand, life-defining moment. Maybe this thing with Cole doesn't have to be so serious. Maybe it's just good sex with a hot guy who happens to be your roommate.”
“You know I can't do casual,” I say. “I'm not built that way.”
“There's a first time for everything.”
I open my mouth to argue, but I'm honestly tired of talking about Cole and the mess I've created. “Enough about my drama. How's Miles?”
Ariel's expression immediately sours. “The more I live with him, the more I wonder why I fell for him. He's like a human sloth.”
I roll my eyes. “What did you expect? The man works three days a week and considers ordering takeout a major life accomplishment.”
“I know, I know. But he was so charming at first, and I was lonely after that disaster with Eric.” She draws a breath before continuing. “How do I get him out of my apartment without being a complete bitch?”
I watch my brilliant, beautiful best friend stress over how to diplomatically evict a man-child from her own apartment. Then again, I'm hardly one to judge.
I’ve just had mind-blowing sex with my brother’s best friend.
Maybe we're both disasters when it comes to relationships, just in opposite ways.
“Start leaving real estate listings around the apartment. Make yourself unavailable. Make him so uncomfortable he wants to leave.” I don't suggest she just tell him outright to leave because that's not Ariel. She's too kindhearted for the direct approach.
“Ooh, devious. I like it.” Ariel checks her watch and sighs. “Speaking of work, I need to get going. Emergency meeting about the spring runway preview.”
“On a Sunday?”
“Fashion never sleeps, darling.” She stands and shrugs on her designer coat. “You're going to work too, aren't you?”
“Just for a few hours. I want to write up my event report while everything is still fresh.”
“No rest for the wicked,” Ariel says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “But Harper? Think about what I said. Not everything in life has to be a strategic decision.”
After she leaves, I sit for a few more minutes, finishing my coffee and watching the Sunday morning foot traffic.
Maybe Ariel has a point. Maybe I do overthink everything.
