I don’t know how they'll react. There's some turnover at F&Y, but it’s significantly lower than the industry average. It's a good place to work, and I’ll miss the hell out of it.
“I signed the offer yesterday. Rob and West weren’t in the office today; Rob’s in Provence, and West is in Montreal. They’re back tomorrow. I’ll tell them then.”
Cat gives me a wry smile. “Have you noticed that companies like to bury their bad news on a Friday evening? You’re going to be doing a version of the same thing.”
“Oh, you have no idea. It's even worse.”
My sister raises her eyebrow. “Worse how?”
“West and Rob are in the office tomorrow, but on Monday, they leave for Seoul. We’re buying a hotel there, and they’ll be away for the next two weeks.”
Cat whistles between her teeth. “So let me see if I’ve got this straight. You see them tomorrow, give your two weeks’ notice, and then you never see them again? After a year of wanting them, you’re just walking away like that?”
“I have to.” I don’t like it either, but it has to be this way. I find it impossible to work with them. Every time they talk to another woman, something twists inside me. This isn’t normal, and it isn’t healthy. “When West went out with Donna, I checked her social media obsessively. When Rob was photographed with Zahara York, I went and read every critical review of hers. I don’t like this version of me, Cat.”
“I wouldn’t worry about Zahara York. Robert Yarrow doesn’t usually stick around. He’s developing quite a reputation.”
“He has reasons for that. I’m not saying they’re good reasons, but still. Besides, Rob doesn’t lie to the people he’s dating.”
“You’re defending his manwhoring ways.” Cat looks at me with pity in her eyes. “God, you have it bad.”
I really do.
“So, why don't you tell them?” she continues.
“Tell them what?”
“Tell them you like them. Ask them out on a date. Ask them if they’d be interested in a threesome. It’s the twenty-first century, Mel. Women can actually ask out the guys they like.”
Oh hell no. My palms turn sweaty at the mere thought. “You're joking.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“They could reject me. They could laugh in my face. Rob could point out that the last woman he dated was Zahara freaking York. West would look at me with quiet befuddlement.” My voice is rising. “No, no, no way. I couldn't. I can't tell them. That's the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
The man sitting at the table next to us glances over. He’s a big guy. He’s typing something on a laptop, has headphones on, and oops, I’m yelling loud enough that he’s heard me. He’s also clearly not from New York because instead of giving me a disapproving look and then politely ignoring me, he removes his headphones to offer me advice. “She’s right,” he says, nodding at Cat. “You should ask them out.”
“Sure,” I say blandly. “I’ll do that.” Making important life decisions based on what some random coffee shop guy thinks. I’ll get right on it. When pigs fly.
Cat is an expert at reading my face. She gets to her feet with a grin. We don our coats and head outside. “Home?”
My stomach growls, reminding me I skipped lunch. “Let’s grab dinner somewhere?” Cat and I live together, but she’s working on a show, and I’ve been on the road. Our refrigerator is bare. “Ethiopian? My treat.”
“Sure.”
I pull out my phone and find the nearest Ethiopian restaurant. It’s a twenty-minute walk away. “You’re selling yourself short,” Cat says to me as we head there. “And I’m not saying that because you’re buying. You’re a great catch. You’re smart, you’re kind, and you’re not high maintenance.”
“Zahara York.”
She makes a scoffing noise. “She’s just a person, Mel. If you cut her, she bleeds. If she eats too much fried food, her face breaks out.” She gives me a sideways look. “Also, she has the worst case of stage fright I’ve ever seen.”
“Does she also have a terrible temper?” I ask hopefully.
Cat laughs. “Sorry to disappoint you, but no. She’s a sweetheart.”
Thank you, Caterina. “You could've lied, you know.”
“This isn’t about Zahara. This is about you. What’s the block here? Is it the threesome? You don’t want to suggest it because you think it’ll horrify them?”