Page 8 of One Night With You

“Why can’t it be both?” Aria asked, as she held up two bags of takeout. “We brought Indian food as well. That way you can save your leftovers for another night.”

I smiled, and kissed Aria’s cheek. “I like my leftovers, but I like takeout Indian food more.”

“Same,” Phoebe said before she kissed my cheek, and we headed to the kitchen.

“I’m glad you’re both here,” I said, realizing that it was true.

“Where else would we be?” Aria asked.

There was something in my friend’s tone that I couldn’t quite catch, but then she just smiled at me,and I realized maybe I was the one trying to see things that weren’t there.

“Okay, so how was the birthday party?” Phoebe asked, as she made herself at home in my kitchen and pulled out plates. I smiled at the thought and went to her side to pull out glasses. Phoebe and I had been roommates in college, and afterward. It was odd to think that she wasn’t either across the living room in common areas, or not in the room next door. In fact, she lived a good ten minutes away, thanks to traffic. I couldn’t just blink and she would be at my side anymore. I hated it, but I loved the fact she was so happy. She deserved it. Especially with everything that had happened with her family recently.

“It went really well. I’m surprised Trix didn’t tell you.” I said the last part a little sarcastically, and Aria snorted.

“Don’t be mad at her. I’m glad she called Phoebe. And I happened to be there annoying her.” Aria winced. “I know I wasn’t technically invited, but I’m here. So you have to deal with me too.”

“And I’m grateful you’re here,” I said, meaning it.

“And I wasn’t invited either. But we’re here. And she’s just going to have to get over it. So, how’s life?” Phoebe asked as we plated up our dinner.

“Normal. Just busy. Tons of work, and I’m still trying to figure out paint colors.”

I looked around the taupe-colored room but didn’t wince. It wasn’t exactly my shade, nor was the house decorated or upgraded the way I wanted. I planned to keep the cottage feel, but upgrade some of the appliances when I had money. I also wanted to finish unpacking, something I hadn’t done, but they didn’t need to look into my spare room. No, I didn’t even want to look in there.

“So really, what happened at the birthday party? Did she have a huge cake or go the cupcake route?” Aria asked. “I don’t really care about the difference between cakes or cupcakes, other than I want both. We really should have stopped at a bakery.”

“I made some cookies last night when I was thinking. Red velvet with cream cheese frosting.”

“I love you,” Aria raptured, as she bit into her chicken korma.

Phoebe winked at me. “And that’s why I didn’t pick up dessert, because you always have some baked good here when you’re stressed or trying to think. I’ve missed them so much since we moved.”

I smiled, ignoring the little pain at the fact we were no longer roommates. “I’ll make sure you have some to take home. I still bake for forty. But the party was nice. I might want to do something like that for my thirtieth.”

“You have a couple of years until that happens,” Phoebe teased.

“I don’t know, I like birthday parties. I just like parties.”

Aria laughed. “Well, it’s good that you’re a party planner then.”

“I actually almost called you,” I said, pointing my fork at her.

“Oh?” Aria asked.

“My photographer almost flaked, but she showed up at the last moment. And I realize that you’re not an event photographer, and purposely not a wedding photographer, but I was desperate and was about to have to use my phone.”

Aria shuddered. “No, I’m not an event photographer, but I would help you out in an instant if you needed it. Please don’t use your phone. I’ve got you.”

“That’s good to know. But I don’t want to have to rely on my friends for every emergency.”

“We don’t mind,” Phoebe said, as she squeezed my arm, before giving herself a whole body shake. “I had to fire a client today,” Phoebe muttered. “So I’m glad you had a good day.”

“What happened?” I asked, an odd sense of alarm slamming into me. And I had no idea where it came from. Or rather, I did, and I didn’t want to worry about it.

“Oh, just late payments and being an absolute mess. And then they wanted to practically steal a design fromanother designer, and I didn’t want anything to do with it. So I fired them, but thankfully I have a backup plan for this month’s income. It’s just a pain in the ass.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

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