Page 89 of Idle

“Thanks to Madison passing my resume along to her bestie.”

“If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that your network is as important as schooling. If not more so.”

“So true.” She cranes her neck. “What are you working on?”

“Putting the finishing touches on my plan to buy that apartment we toured. I got all my financing in place and most contractors lined up. I need to iron out one final detail and then the deal can go through.”

“Seems like we both have good news. Want me to break out the bubbly?”

The lure to toss all my work to the side and join my cousin in drinking the day away is strong. Especially considering how things have turned for the worse with our fathers. Yet, I have way too many loose ends to tie up. Beginning—rather ending—with getting a very recalcitrant carpenter onboard.

“I would love to, but I have a meeting in an hour. It’s going to be a late night for me,” hopefully. “Don’t wait up. I promise a raincheck.”

She holds up her pinky. “I’ll hold you to that.”

I lock my pinky around hers, and then grab my notebook plus the file I’ve been working on, and dash out. Can’t be late. Double-checking the address, I enter Arch Pointe Furniture and go to their main office on the fortieth floor. I’m ushered into a conference room where I let my pen bang against my notebook until Ms. Kennedy appears.

Once formalities are exchanged, I get straight to the purpose of my meeting. “I appreciate your agreeing to meet with me. I know you sawNYC Viewson Renovation TV, so you’ve already seen my partner’s work.”

“I have. I found it quite impressive, even if your team didn’t win the competition.”

I bow my head. Because of me. Gathering my wits, I continue, “The thing is, I’ve checked out your furniture line, and I believe Jesse would make an excellent addition to your design team. You both specialize in creative wood furniture that enhances living spaces. I think he could create fantastic new prototypes for you to market.” I hand her my proposal.

She takes her time flipping through every page. “This is a bold proposition. I agree that Jesse’s talent would be a good synergy with Arch Pointe Furniture. We have a similar aesthetic.”

“I agree.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the sole say over such decisions. I’ll have to present this to our management committee. But, I can tell you, he has my vote.” She frowns. “Why isn’t he here?”

The moment I’ve been dreading arrives. Inhaling, I reply, “He got called into another meeting unexpectedly.” Beneath my notepad, I cross my fingers.

“Pity. But there will be plenty of time to meet if the committee agrees.”

Relief wells throughout my body. “Thank you. I appreciate your taking this up with them. I believe now’s the best time to do this, since the publicity surrounding the show is still strong.”

“I agree.” She checks her watch. “As luck would have it, we’re meeting in about an hour. So you’ll get a response from me, either way, soon.”

My nerves rush to the fore, which I shove down for the moment. “I look forward to hearing from you with a yes.”

On the street, I debate what to do for a couple of hours. The High Line isn’t far away, so I decide to take a stroll. Perhaps the sunshine will provide a balm while I send massive good vibes for my proposal to be accepted by Arch Pointe Furniture. And Jesse Dimon.

I pass the ice cream vendor and keep walking. Not even the lure of strawberry makes me tarry. I need to expend some energy, so I walk several blocks before realizing I’m standing in front of the building whereNYC Viewswas taped.

So many memories are locked inside this building. About the show, the contestants, Jesse and me. I wonder who else started their stories inside these walls? The building’s being renovated now, but what was it like ages ago? With no answers, I continue forward when the door opens and Quinn saunters out.

“Paige!”

Her yell stops me in place, planting a smile on my face. “Quinn.”

We meet in the middle of the wide walkway and give each other a quick hug. Stepping back, she adjusts the strap of her Vera Bradley tote bag. “What have you been up to?”

Since my hands are full of paperwork, I can’t deny I’ve been working. “I’m figuring out my next steps. Might have found a new place I want to flip.”

“That’s great. Do you have time for a coffee and to catch up?”

Quinn always was the all-business type, but maybe it was due to her role on set? A tad bit too interested in my family, but she didn’t air anything about VOW-cubed on the show. Since I have time to kill before Ms. Kennedy gets back to me, I shrug. “Sounds good. Lead the way.”

She brings us to a small café a couple of blocks away, where we order coffees and score a table next to the window. We get our drinks, and find a table where Quinn places our order number so the server can find us with our food.

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