Page 16 of The Hopelessly Bromantic Duet
“I would ask, but I think you’re about to tell me,” she says as she pulls away from the curb.
“Don’t pretend you don’t want to know every salacious detail.” I give her the best ones from last night, including how I sent TJ home. “Which means tonight he’ll be rested and ready for me.”
“I hate you for that too—your planned trip to Pound Town,” she says, slowing at a light.
I pat her thigh. “I’m sure you’ll visit there again soon. With Rufus. Or Ginny. Or whoever you decide is worthy of you.” I stage whisper, “Even though no one is.”
“Damn straight.”
“Well, straight’s not the word I’d use,” I say.
That makes her smile. No easy feat. “It’s much more fun having a little bit of everything,” she says.
“I’ll have to take your word for it. Tonight I’ll have a big bite ofonething,” I say, imagining how my evening might play out with the American. “One very yummy thing. And I’ll still make it to my audition on time tomorrow even if I can’t walk straight.”
“Fuck you. That’s the best kind of sex to have.”
“The kind you can feel the next day.” I couldn’t agree more.
She huffs, flicking her gaze at me. “Can’t I just move in with you too? Maybe camp on your pullout sofa so I can sleep in and still make it to auditions?”
But we both know she’d never really do that. She lives in her sister’s house in Reading, and her sister travels for work most of the time. Liv would never give up the free rent or access to her sister’s car. “Poor Liv with her rent-free lifestyle and her ability to audition for anything whenever she wants,” I say.
“You did want me to drive you all the way to your new place, right? Because I can drop you a few miles from it too,” she counters.
“Fine, fine. You can crash at my place anytime. My bed is your bed.”
As she slows at a light, she waggles a brow. “Or maybe I’ll fancy your roommate and get free rent that way. Maybe your new roomie is some gorgeous babe.”
“You never know. His name is Terry.” The flatshare company sent me that info this morning. “Though, Terry could be awoman. I said I’d live with either gender as long as the person’s not a homophobe. So, this is perfect for you. You can fall in love with Terry, and I can see you all the time.”
“And since I’m so fabulous in the sack, Terry will pay my way, then the three of us can live in your magical, wildly inexpensive flat that I hate you for getting.”
I laugh again. “Promise me something, Liv? Don’t ever change.”
“I don’t plan to,” she says.
After an hour of stop-and-go traffic—on a damn Sunday, no less—she pulls up in front of my new place and casts her gaze longingly at the white, six-story building with the yellow door. “It has a pretty door.” She pouts. “I’m literally going to die of envy. All I want is a flat with a yellow door.”
“And for Terry to bang your brains out and offer you a free place to live.”
“That too. I have dreams,” she says, raising her chin defiantly. “Just like you.”
And it’s a damn good thing I have a friend like her to share them with. “Yes, I know. And we will keep chasing them.” I stretch across the console and hug her. “Come over for dinner soon. I’ll make you something amazing.”
That cheers her up. “Can you make me something with cauliflower? I read it’s basically the best food ever, and I’m considering going on an all-cauliflower diet.”
“Ah, cauliflower, the latest vegetable to enjoy a renaissance.”
“First, there were Brussels sprouts. Now cauliflower. Next, it’ll be carrots,” she says.
“I truly appreciate the ride,” I say.
“I know. Don’t go sentimental on me. Just get out,” she says.
I do as I’m told, grabbing my bags. But she doesn’t pull away even as I head to the lockbox to fetch my key. When I glanceback, the saltiest person I’ve ever known gives me a big wave, then the middle finger.
Laughing, I give the finger right back to her, then blow a kiss.