Page 86 of Only Lovers in the Building

“Makes sense,” Noah said.

“I tell him how special he makes me feel and on and on. And I mean it all! I wasn’t catching feelings or anything, but I was always excited to see him again, and that’s a start. I tell him I’m eager to see where this goes.”

At this point, Lily was eager for this information as well.

Sierra wiped crumbs off her dress, composed herself, and said, “This is when things go south. Ready?”

“Ready!”

“Please! Out with it!”

Sierra cleared her throat. “The man sets down his fork and knife, looks me dead in the eye, and says . . . ‘You’ve seen what I can do. Now tell me what you bring to the table.’”

“What?”

“Holy shit!”

“No way!”

Ben was right, Lily thought. This story doesn’t begin at the restaurant. It begins at where this random man found the audacity.

“I would’ve flipped that dinner table,” Kylie said.

“Seriously, doesn’t he know who you are?” Noah asked.

“Who is she?” Nicolas whispered, speaking up for the first time in a while.

Noah showed him exactly who Sierra was with only a few taps on his phone. Nicolas nodded, impressed. “Those are good numbers.”

“Swim with Sierra is a lifestyle brand,” Kylie said.

“It’s a whole vibe,” Jeremy added.

Lily looked to Kylie and Jeremy. Suddenly, she could see it, the invisible connection—no contact lenses required.

“What does that even mean?” Ben asked, genuinely confused. “What is he asking you exactly?”

Words had meaning. For Ben, the words what you bring to the table made no sense. Lily loved him a little more because of it.

“I asked him that same question! He said he was ‘going places’ and needed someone to support him.”

“You’re going places!” Lily cried. “Is he prepared to support you, too?”

“I’m going places he’s never heard of!” Sierra fired back. “He couldn’t find Ibiza on a map!”

Kylie rolled her eyes. “What a jerk.”

“What did you tell him?” Noah asked.

“I tell him I’m young, and I’m not looking for a husband. He’s young, too. Only twenty-six or something. So like, dude, maybe slow your roll.”

“What did he say to that?” Ben asked.

“He tried to play it off and said I’m not wifey material. Like what?”

“Heaven help me,” Lily whispered, as Ben drew her close and encouraged her to breathe.

“He says what I do for a living is unbecoming,” Sierra said.