Page 62 of Only Lovers in the Building

“I told you, Lily,” Ben said, pouring Noah’s wine. “Listening to stories and giving advice is half the job.”

“Then, you might as well start that podcast,” Kylie said. “You’re already doing it for free. Might as well get paid.”

Lily let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t know about that. This building is our jurisdiction.”

“I can’t believe Allison is serious,” Ben said. “I thought it was a joke.”

“Why a joke?” Lily asked.

“Because we both have careers and reputations to uphold,” he said.

Now he sounded like her father. “Who knew you were a snob, Ben?” she said. “I bet you’d be all for it if the podcast were about Proust.”

“Leave Proust out of it.” He left to serve two newcomers.

Lily swiveled in her seat and bumped against Noah and Kylie’s hard disapproval. “What?”

“He’s standoffish,” Kylie said, “but he’s not a snob.”

“You can’t blame the man if he doesn’t want to be a podcast bro,” Noah added. “I don’t fuck them, and I don’t fuck with them.”

“That’s smart,” Kylie said. “They’re the actual worst.”

Who could argue with that? Although, in her heart of hearts, Lily knew she was right. Ben was a literary snob. Reading romance and posting reviews on social was just a bit of fun for him, something to mention at galas to ruffle a few feathers. It wasn’t meant to go any further than that. On the other hand, he wasn’t one hundred percent wrong. Her professional reputation was at stake. She was a lawyer, and lawyers were limited to hosting true crime podcasts.

“Hey, gang! What’s up?”

Sierra, in her finest athleisure, thick hair held in place with a claw clip, popped up out of nowhere, startling them all. It was rare to spot her on the rooftop. Of everyone, excluding Noah, she had the liveliest social life. On any given night, she could be seen sailing through the lobby in the most extravagant of looks, heading out with friends or on a date.

“Ben and Lily may start a podcast. Or not. It’s still up in the air,” Kylie said.

“Nice.” Sierra banged a straw cup on the bar to get Ben’s attention. “Hey, hottie, could I get some of that free rosé? I’m binge-watching a show tonight. I’ve got snacks, but no wine.”

“We’re out of rosé,” Ben said. He held up the bottle of prosecco that he’d opened for Kylie. “How about this?”

“You’re really pushing that stuff,” Kylie commented.

“We received a shit ton of it,” Ben explained. “It’s a promotional thing.”

Kylie shrugged. “It’s not bad.”

Sierra tapped her cup for ASMR. “Fill her up, baby.”

Ben obliged her, filling the cup to the brim.

“So, Lily,” Sierra said. “Remember that book you let me use as a prop? The engagement I got from that post was insane. People lost their minds. Some magazines reached out for a quote. It was crazy!”

“Good for you!” Lily said.

“Celebrities pay people to curate books for them,” Sierra said. “You guys could do that for me.”

“I have an idea,” Ben said. “Go to a library and go to a local bookstore, wander the aisles, and see what speaks to you.”

“Who has time for that?”

“You do, Sierra. I’m willing to bet money on it.”

“Stay out of my business, Ben,” Sierra shot back.