Page 117 of Only Lovers in the Building

“Fine. I’ll meet you in the middle. How about a pool party?” Sierra suggested. “Nothing but day drinking and dancing. I’ll organize it.”

And while they all talked about day drinking, Lily sat with the realization that she was leaving at the end of the month. Not at the end of summer or at the end of her lease, as she liked to vaguely think about it, but in a few short weeks.

I don’t have you for long.

“How are the waffles?” Kylie asked. “Do you like the Chantilly cream?”

“Love it.”

In truth, Lily could hardly taste a thing. Ben had made her promise things would end smoothly between them, which meant that he’d accepted that things would end eventually. She did not want it to end at all.

After brunch, she and Kylie indulged in window-shopping before heading back to the building. Most of the boutiques were tourist traps, offering bikinis, cover-ups, and T-shirts with catchy Miami slogans.

“What am I going to do about Jeremy?” Kylie asked when they reached the end of the block and were ready to circle back.

“You’re going to invite him to your place, pour him some wine, slip into something more comfortable, and seduce the boy, Mrs. Robinson.”

“Very funny.”

“Did you talk to him? If he knows where you’re coming from, maybe he’ll understand.”

“What if it’s all in my head and there’s nothing to talk about?”

“Then it’s in my head, too. He’s clearly into you, Kylie. If nothing else, he’s taken your mind off the architect. That’s a bonus.”

“Nothing is ever going to happen between Frederico and me,” Kylie said. “I’m not his type. He likes the glam girls. My fingertips always smell like garlic.”

“Then he’s an idiot,” Lily said.

A group of local boys whizzed by on skateboards. Their beach towels were tied at their necks, flapping behind them like superhero capes. That would have been Ben at twelve or thirteen, Lily thought fondly.

As though reading her mind, Kylie asked, “How are things really between you and Ben?”

“Perfect, which sucks because it’s over soon. Why can’t I have nice things?”

“I hate when that happens,” Kylie said. “Life dangles a good thing in front of your eyes and takes it away.”

“I’ve been in denial,” Lily admitted. “I’ve pushed it out of my mind, and now it’s all I can think about. I’m leaving soon.”

Kylie rummaged in her purse for lip balm. “What does Ben say?”

“I think he’s been counting down the days, preparing himself.”

“That’s smart,” Kylie said. “Maybe it’s time you do the same.”

When Lily got back, Ben was in the shower, his gym clothes tossed carelessly into the hamper in the corner of his bedroom.

She knocked on the bathroom door and heard the shower curtain draw back.

“Lily? Come in!”

She took that invitation at face value, stepped out of the proper linen matching set, and joined him in the shower. “I thought you might need a hand.”

Ben was lathering shampoo in his hair and grinning at her. “Did you have fun without me?”

“Not as much fun as I’m going to have with you.”

She kissed him hungrily under the hot stream jet, shampoo suds making their bodies slick. He squeezed her breast under his wet palm, making her gasp.