Page 19 of Preferential Treatment

Naomi looked up, a heap of thick, spiral-bound sketchpads clutched to her chest. “Oh! You’re Kate! Hi.” Despite her bold appearance, her voice was soft and shy, just as it had sounded when they’d spoken on the phone a few weeks ago.

“Do you draw?” Kate asked, nodding to the sketchpads. She knew part of the reason Naomi had moved to Chicago was to finish an art degree.

“Oh, uh…” Naomi dropped them back into the box she’d just lifted them from and flipped the box flaps shut before she stood up. Her cheeks were flushed, her expression guarded. “Not really.”

Recognizing that she didn’t want to discuss it, Kate changed topics. “How did moving in go? Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier.”

Naomi waved that off, weaving her way through the boxes to reach Kate. “You had to work, and I had plenty of help from Jason and Anna. Everything went smoothly.” She held out her hand. “Anyway, it’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Kate shook her hand, gaze tracing over tattooed flowers before lifting to that silver-studded face. Naomi’s features were soft and sweet, with big, brown eyes emphasized by crisp black liner, and a delicate spray of freckles across her cheeks and nose. She was nearly as tall as Kate—which was tall for a woman, around five-nine or so—and much curvier, but Naomi radiated delicacy and reserve, while Kate had spent years purposely cultivating a Don’t Fuck With Me aura.

“Well, welcome,” Kate said, gesturing grandly at the small apartment. “I’m glad to have you. My last roommate was a complete flake, but Anna says you’re solid, and she’s never wrong.”

Naomi flushed faintly. “I’ll try to be.”

Anna appeared at Kate’s shoulder. “You guys want to get dinner?” She glanced back at Jason, who was carefully settling a box on the kitchen island. “That really good Greek place is two blocks from here.”

“Let me buy dinner for you guys,” Naomi said quickly. “It’s the least I can do after all your help.”

“You don’t have to—” Anna started.

“No,” Jason said bluntly. “I’ve got it.”

“That’s not how it works,” Naomi objected. “I’m the one moving. I’m supposed to—”

“Text me everybody’s orders,” Jason said to Anna as he threw his coat on. He looked back to Naomi. “You’ve got enough on your plate,” he said, more gently than he’d spoken before.

That. That right there was why Kate’s jealousy hadn’t lasted long in the face of Anna’s new relationship and—very fast—engagement. Jason was intimidating and hard to talk to, but at his core, he was a caretaker, just like Anna. He was good enough for her, which Kate hadn’t initially thought possible. She was tempted to hug him, but he wasn’t the sort of person who shared affection easily. Instead, she adopted the opposite tack, which was to accept his caretaking with no argument or fanfare.

“I want a gyro and two baklava!” she shouted after him as he disappeared out the front door.

“Text it to me!” he shouted back, heavy bootsteps pounding down the stairwell.

“Naomi, what do you like?” Anna asked, pulling out her phone.

“Seriously, that’s so nice, but you guys have already done so much. I really don’t need—”

“If you don’t make a choice, he’ll just get you one of everything,” Anna said.

Kate gave Naomi a small nod, confirming Anna’s words.

“Fine,” Naomi grumbled. “A gyro sounds good.”

“You should get baklava, too,” Kate added.

“I don’t need it.”

“…and… a… baklava…” Anna muttered as she typed.

Naomi sighed, hiding a smile as she turned her attention to the box on the island. “Thank you,” she murmured quietly to Anna.

A few hours later, Anna and Jason had made their departures, and it was just Kate and Naomi in the apartment. Naomi hadn’t had a whole lot to move in. Aside from a bed frame, mattress, and dresser, she’d only had a few boxes of clothing, toiletries, and some kitchen items. They were all put away, Naomi was basically settled in, and now they were left with the awkward dance of figuring out just how social they intended to be with each other.

“So… I’m going to watch TV,” Kate ventured. “Do you mind if I put on Stupid Cupid?” It was a ridiculous reality show that Anna had gotten Kate addicted to—a bunch of insanely hot single people locked in a mansion together, trying to solve elaborate, escape-room-style riddles to win prizes—the prizes being luxurious, expensive dates, like a weekend in a tropical villa with only one bed, or a spa retreat where the winners had to give each other sensual massages.

“Oh my god,” Naomi breathed, eyes going wide. “I love that show. Yes!” She plopped onto the couch next to Kate.

And just like that, the initial awkwardness was overcome.

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