Page 2 of Mr Best Friend's Brother Grump

“You are most welcome, BFF,” Kendra says, smiling. Then she throws her hands up to the ceiling and shouts, “We’re going to have the best time!”

Soon we're settled onto the soft grey plush contemporary corner sofas for a long over-due catch-up, mugs in hand. Kendra’s job doesn’t start for a few days. She’s been doing some temp hours through an agency to earn some cash. Odd days here and there. She was even offered a permanent position, which she turned down… twice.

“I’ve helped out Nathan a couple of times when he’s needed an assistant.” Kendra sips her tea. “He pays well and it’s easy money. And I like working with my bro. Although some people might think he’s got an attitude.” She laughs. “He’s just super meticulous about what he does. He has very high standards... in everything.”

“Not another perfectionist in the family?” I put on my worried face.

“Yep.”

“Oh no. I’m surrounded by pedantic over-achievers. How am I going to survive?”

We’re giggling away on the sofas and I’m conscious of spilling my chamomile infusion, when the apartment door opens, and I hear a man’s voice.

“Yes. I’m here now… Uh-huh. Sure. Yeah. We’re good to go. Tomorrow? Fine. See you. Bye.” The handsome man hangs up the call and puts the phone in the pocket of his cargo pants. His Hollywood leading-man looks fit perfectly with the film set interior of the apartment: casual, chic, accidentally stylish.

I recognize Nathan instantly. Only I wasn’t prepared for my best friend’s brother to be quite so gorgeous in person. Eventually, I remember to close my mouth and pretend to be the cool girl I’m not.

“Well, hello Nathan,” says Kendra. “You’re back early… This is Rosa. Who I told you about. Remember?” Nathan’s face is blank, then questioning. He runs a hand through a mop of dark blond hair, silvering at the temples, and puts down his bags and camera case.

“Yes, of course. Rosa. Nice to meet you… And welcome.” He almost smiles and walks over to shake my hand. Then his phone rings and he answers it as he walks off into his bedroom, collecting his things on the way, and closing the door behind him with a soft clunk.

“That’s Nate,” says Kendra. “Busy, busy, busy. But he wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow. I swear he is a super spy or something, and being a photographer is just a cover. It’s hard to keep up, so I don’t even bother.”

Kendra and I resume our chat. But we’re soon interrupted by Nathan who calls out from his door, “Ken. Can you do a shoot with me tomorrow? Pretty, pretty, please, please?”

Kendra looks at me with big sad eyes and she is about to say no, but I interject, “Sure, she can.”

“No. Rosa. I promised to show you around and tomorrow was going to be our day.”

“She’ll do it,” I say over my shoulder, not at all put off by Kendra’s remonstrations.

“Great! Thanks, sis,” Nathan says as he disappears into his room again, talking into his phone.

“Look. We’ll have plenty of time to hang out,” I say leaning towards Kendra. “Your brother needs your help. I’ll be fine. So…”

“Alright. It’s only one day. I’ll get paid, then I’m taking us out clubbing. And maybe we’ll take Nate, and he can pay!”

“You’re so bad. I can’t believe I’m friends with such a manipulative person.” We laugh. Then, when we’ve calmed down a bit, I add, “Also, I’m interested to find where I’ll be working.”

My purpose for being in the Big Apple was not only to see my best friend but to start work at a Cuban community center, across the river, in Union City. Since redirecting my life path, I had hung up my dreams of being Erin Brockovich, but with better fashion sense: uncovering injustice, sticking up for ordinary folk, and generally sticking it to the man. This idea was why I had enrolled at law school in the first place, but I soon realized that I could help people in a more practical way. My purpose, it turned out, is more grassroots and down to earth. And I didn’t need to struggle through university to do it.

I stayed with my grandma in Miami when I dropped out of law school. And, while I was figuring my life out, I volunteered at the Cuban community center, where my grandma, or Tia as she is known in our neighborhood, worked. I quickly moved into the management team and was even paid, eventually. That’s where I heard about this job, off Bergenline Avenue. I had a Skype interview and they liked me, so here I am. Excited, and ready to give it my best shot.

Staying with Tia showed me my purpose and reconnected me with my Cuban roots and culture that I hadn’t explored and really didn’t understand. Before moving to Miami, I didn’t speak Spanish and I couldn’t dance salsa.

“Go and be brilliant,” Tia said to me at the airport as I fought back salty tears. “And remember whose granddaughter you are.” Well, that finished me off and bawled my eyes out for most of the flight.

Chapter 2

Nathan

I had totally forgotten that Kendra’s friend was staying over. But, no worries, I’m flat out with the swimwear shoot tomorrow and I probably won’t even see her again. So, yeah, fine. No need to put too much effort in. I’ll try and be nice though.

It’s great to be back in NYC. I always like coming home. I even enjoy the rude taxi drivers and say stuff to get them going on a rant. I’ll mention something about the Yankees not being up to standard this season and away they go. Some people might find that annoying for the forty-plus-minute trip from the airport, but I think it's entertaining. I just sit back, not really listening, and know that I'm home.

It’s good of Ken to help me out again. I have other assistants I can call on, but with Kendra, she knows me. I’m going to miss being able to use her when she starts being a lawyer. Having Kendra as an assistant means I don’t waste energy communicating. I don’t need to pretend to be polite. Some people get huffy with me. I get it. But I don’t have time for chitchat. When I’m working, I am totally focused on the job and I don’t pay attention to distractions, such as conversation or being concerned with other people’s feelings.

The shoot for Poolside Exclusive Resort Wear, a company supplying high-end leisurewear to people who can afford luxury cruises, is on a yacht in the harbor. The date has been brought forward, so I had to skedaddle back from The Maldives, sharpish. I check the weather forecast app on my phone. It looks good, at the moment, but there’s a lot riding on this job. The clients want the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop against a clear blue sky. I suggested they could Photoshop it in afterwards, but they were adamant about authenticity. Fine. My plan is to get out on the river as early as possible, get the shots of the collection I need, and get back asap. No mucking around. I have the run sheet and brief. I’ve booked the lights and extra stands, that I’m picking up in the morning, before heading down to the marina.

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