1
Tori
When people say the streets of New York City are mean, they’re not kidding. Granted,it’s not the crime-riddled, peepshow playground of yesteryear. But it’s no cakewalk, either. I didn’t expect it to be. What I did expect was to have a job by now. Today marks day thirteen of the job hunt, my finances are dwindling, and my self-esteem’s seen brighter, sunnier days. But NYC is the city of dreams, or so they say. So why is it starting to feel like my worst freaking nightmare?
“You’re being dramatic, Tori.” My best friend, Viv’s voice pings in my ear as I navigate the twisting streets of the West Village. “You’ll find a job soon. You’re like the smartest person I know.”
I let out a sigh. “I don’t want to wait tables, Viv. I need to find a job in social media marketing.” Wetness beads on my upper lip due to the Manhattan summer’s sweltering humidity. Seriously, it feels like I’m walking through a sauna.
“Or what? You’ll come back home? That’s even crazier than having to wait a few tables to get by.”
“I’m not coming back home.” Relief washes over me as I eye the green sign ahead. Jane Street, finally. “Ever.” The silence on Viv’s end causes my addendum, “no offense.”
“None taken. I’m not a big city girl.”
“In this heat, neither am I.”
“Take a breath, babe. You will be just fine. What time are you meeting my brother?” A zing wiggles in my guts. I should’ve declined the offer to go out to dinner with him, but I could use a free meal. Something that isn’t ninety-nine cent pizza, or a frozen burrito. “Five minutes ago,” I say. “And I can’t remember the exact address of the place, so I have to let you go.”
“Okay, just… call me when you’re done.”
The screen slides against my damp cheek as I narrow my eyes, searching across Eighth Avenue for a restaurant called Anfora. “Seriously? We just talked for an hour.”
“Well, it’s just that…” Viv sighs and her breath rustles against my earpiece. “I want to know how it goes with Zaid.”
I catch the light and hustle across the street. “Viv, you’re being weird. Why?”
“He’s not like you remember him.” An image of a college-aged Zaid pops into my head: dark hair, ruddy complexion, thick glasses, and zero sense of style. He’s always reminded me of a nerdier Harry Potter. “He’s… different.”
“Cut the cryptic crap, Viv. Why are you telling me this?”
“Remember my college roommate, Alicia?”
“Big mouth, small butt?”
“Yeah. She and Zaid dated last year.”
My feet slow as I reach the curb. “Your bestie from college dated your brother?” My mouth twists thinking of the two of them together, both tall and lanky like a walking number eleven. “That’s weird.”
“You’re telling me. When he broke up with her, she stopped talking to me.”
“Wait, you were inseparable for like two years.” A pang of jealousy snarls my lips, eyes rolling into the back of my head.
“And now she’s nothing but a distant memory.” Outside of Anfora, the sidewalk’s littered with a half-dozen people. I crane my neck to see if Zaid’s out here, but no dice.
“So, what are you saying?” I face away from the restaurant’s entrance and cup my hand over the mouthpiece. “You’re nervous about me being around Zaid?” I can’t help but laugh. “That’s bonkers.” Viv doesn’t laugh along with me. “It’s bonkers, Viv!” I repeat.
“Okay,” she says. “I just had to put it out there.”
I’m not being rude here, but her brother is the last person I’d ever date. Viv and I hung out at her house in high school, and Zaid was always home. I swear the guy didn’t have much of a social life. College weekends should be filled with parties and promiscuity—maybe I’m projecting?—Not with books and practice exams. I kind of felt sorry for him. Seemed the type to never get laid.
Heck, he may even still be a—
“Just text me after, okay?” Viv interrupts my thoughts.
“Will do, boss.”
“Love you.”