“Because he tells me. Hell, Tori, he tells everyone. It’s like he’s making up for lost time. I just really thought you’d be smart enough not to fall for it.” The elevator rights itself as it hits the lobby. When the doors open, Viv’s a bat out of hell, but I’m hot on her heels.
“What are you even doing here, anyway?”
“I was going to surprise you so we could hang out this weekend. You’d been talking about how lonely you were, so I thought I’d come and keep you company.” Again, she shrugs my hand off of her shoulder. “It hardly looks like you need it.”
“Why wouldn’t you just come to my place? Why Zaid’s?”
“I don’t know where you live, asshole. And I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.” She shakes her long blonde hair. “No, don’t turn this around on me. I’m the one who caughtyouwith my brother.”
Vivian pushes the building’s front door open. Summer heat assaults both of us, radiating off of the steamy pavement. Viv picks up her pace.
“Will you just wait for a second so I can explain?” I call to her, and to my surprise she actuallystops, turns to face me, and crosses her arms over her chest.
“You have sixty-seconds.”
My brain races, trying desperately to compartmentalize what I can say in less than a minute to right this situation. Viv presses her lips into a thin line and raises her eyebrows. What can I say? That I think I fell for her brother? That he’s my boss and that may have added to the excitement of an already taboo situation? Or that I have genuine feelings for him, and that being with him actuallymakes me feel good about myself?
That last part flutters my heart, and I know it’s the right answer. But can I tell her that? Especially knowing that what I’m feeling might not even be real. Instead, it could be an act from a newfound player, making up for lost time.
“Well?” Viv prompts.
My arms slap my sides; I’m more confused than ever. “I don’t know.”
“You’re supposed to be my friend. And friendsdon’t break promises.”
“Viv—”
“No,” she says over her shoulder, already booking it down the street. “Stop talking and do not follow me.” The humid air catches her hair as she sprints across Eighth Avenue. Instantly she blends into the street traffic, but I watch her until she’s completely out of sight.
I feel sick, shaky, and weak. I look down, and my shirt is still untucked. With a sigh, I shove the hem back into my skirt. I have every intention of heading back to Zaid’s, but my feet won’t move. What if Viv’s right? What if he’s just this reformed dork turned player who’s racking up as many notches on his bedpost as he can?
That doesn’t seem like Zaid, but my second thought socks me in the gut. I don’t even know Zaid. Not really, not now. His intentions seem sincere, but what if they aren’t? What if Viv made me make that promise to protect me?
I wipe the tear streaming down my cheek, feeling like an idiot for crying on the street. Then I hoist my purse strap over my shoulder, trying to remember where the subway is from here. Thank God I’ve got my phone. It’s a ten-minute walk, and by the time I get to the train, my head feels slightly less foggy.
I would never give up my best friend for Zaid. No matter how fast I’m falling for him, or how amazing and confident he makes me feel. I made a promise to Viv, and it's up to me to do everything I can to make things right.
8
Zaid
When the sun dips below the Hudson, I officially give up hope on Tori coming back to my apartment. Viv returns just after sunset to find me out on my patio, drinking a cold beer. She slides the door open and marches out to join me. “Got another one of those?” She asks, and I tilt my head toward the fridge back inside.
When she returns, this time with beer in hand, she plops down on the lounger next to mine. For a while, we both stare out at the twinkling lights beaming off the water.
“Where’d you go?” I ask.
“Walked around.” She says, bringing the bottle to her lips. “You suck for this, Zaid. Why Tori? Seriously, dude. This is the second friend of mine you’ve swept out from underneath me.”
“Vivian, I did not sweep anybody up.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“Ibarelydated Alicia.”
“Exactly! According to her, you just humped and dumped her.” A long sigh fills the silence between us. “I cannot lose another friend because of some stupid sexual revolution you’re having.” She clips her words to stress her point. Vivian and I have never exactly been close. The five-year age gap has a lot to do with that, but she’s still my sister. And lying catches up with everyone, eventually.
“I haven’t dated that many people.”