22. Rosie
22
ROSIE
D aniel looked so confused as I left his apartment. An apartment that is worth millions. Staring out at the view, I realized how out of my depth I am with this man, who leaves multi-million-dollar apartments empty, or they are used a couple of times a year. Panic started to crawl up my skin as I felt like an imposter in this life, that I was letting myself fall for his world after spending the day with him in it. No, he wasn’t buying me things even though he wanted to, but it was the ease in which my mind wanted us to spend our weekends shopping for things for our home. I could see us hanging out, grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat as we walked around Mayfair or through Hyde Park together, happily talking about art and design. Today gave me a glimpse into what it would be like to date Daniel DuPont, and a part of me was falling for the illusion, particularly when I thought about the sex. I’m not proud of the way I left things, especially when he had gone to a lot of effort to arrange lunch in his apartment for me.
“Hey, are you okay?” Georgia asks as she opens the door after my SOS text on the way from Daniel’s place. I burst into tears which surprises her, and she pulls me into a hug. “Babe, what’s going on? What happened? I thought you were out working with Daniel.”
It takes me a couple of moments to calm myself down. “I feel so stupid.”
“Why?”
“He’s rich, Georgia. Like rich, rich . He took me to his apartment that has like one hundred and eighty degree views of Central Park. The foyer belonged in a luxury hotel.”
My best friend stares at me. “And this upsets you because …”
“Because I’m poor.”
“Compared to him you are, but so is half the population. You’re a successful interior designer, babes, you’re about to hit the big leagues.”
I shake my head. “This man has homes around the world that he leaves empty.”
“And? I don’t see what the big deal is, Rosie,” Georgia asks me.
“I’m not from his world. I’ll never be from his world.”
“Most people are not from his world.” Georgia chuckles.
“Exactly.”
“I think you’re overthinking this, babe. He’s your client. You’ve hooked up a couple of times. What am I missing?”
“He wants more.”
My friend stills. “What, like he wants to be your boyfriend?”
“Not a relationship, but he wants to continue sleeping together but monogamously.”
“Friends with benefits but with only each other?”
I nod. “I told him I didn’t want more, and he agreed. I’m concentrating on building my career and he is busy being rich. We’re both busy people.”
Georgia frowns. “Let me get this straight. A rich, sizzling hot French guy wants to be friends with benefits with you, and only you, and you’re freaking out because …”
When she puts it like that it sounds easy. “He’s a client.”
“Okay, well, don’t do anything until you’ve finished the project.”
“That’s what I asked him.”
“And what did he say?”
“He agreed.”
“Again, Rosie, I’m not seeing what the problem is … unless you like him?”
“No,” I answer quickly, but Georgia’s eyes narrow on me.
“You do. You like him,” she presses.
“No, I don’t.”
“You do, but you don’t want to.” She grins as if she’s solved the puzzle that is my mind.
“There’s a chance I’m going to be moving halfway across the world,” I remind her.
“And you’re worried you will fall in love with him, not take the gig in Dubai, and regret that decision when the relationship fails. You will be left in London while he moves on to dating supermodels, and your career will stagnate.”
Wow, Georgia your mind went there. “Something like that,” I grumble.
“Do you want to keep hooking up with him?” she asks. I nod, who wouldn’t. The man is a dirty-talking sex god. “But you’re worried that your heart won’t be able to take it because you like him for more than his dick?” I’m surprised by her words, that is something Ava would ask.
“Yes.”
Georgia sighs. “We’re dealing with a tale as old as time,” she teases. “Good dick versus career.”
“I can get good dick anywhere, but my career …”
“True. But let’s be serious, Daniel DuPont has probably been the finest dick you’ve had, hasn’t he?” She grins, and I nod. “Knew it.” She chuckles. “Look at Emily, she’s fallen for Louis. Ava hooked up with Deveraux at that after-party she went to, and damn, Matthieu is sizzling. Stupid hot French guys.”
“Wait, she did what?”
“Shit, I wasn’t supposed to say anything. Why the hell do you all tell me your secrets, you know I’m bad at keeping them,” she grumbles.
“Ava hooked up with Deveraux, like how?”
“Two hot people see each other, and boom, connection,” Georgia says, clapping her hands together.
“And what does that mean now?”
“What do you mean?” my friend asks.
“Are they dating? How will that work? He’s in New York and she’s in London.”
“You know Ava, she likes her fun and then moves on.” Oh. “You really don’t understand how one-night stands work, do you?”
“I’ve had one and he’s still hanging around.” I chuckle.
Georgia’s face softens. “Oh, babe. It’s okay to want more than one night from someone. How Ava conducts her relationships, or even me, doesn’t have to be the way you conduct yours.”
“I’m confused, this is all new territory for me.”
“Whatever is going on between the two of you has an expiration date, think of it like that.”
“He doesn’t know about Dubai. I’m not allowed to say anything. I mean, you girls don’t count, but he’s friends with Ivy.”
Georgia nods in understanding. “I see. Maybe it’s best that you stop what you’re doing. Keep it professional between the two of you, and then when you move to Dubai, he will be long from your mind, and the pain won’t be so bad.” Maybe she’s right. “I mean, you’re going to see him around because Louis is totally proposing to Emily, and they are going to get married and live happily ever after. And as one of her best friends, you are going to see her husband’s brother, the one you’ve been secretly seeing for the rest of their lives.” Oh shit, she’s right. “Better to cut the cord after a couple of months.”
“You’re right. I’m a mess.”
“I get it. Daniel is a great guy. I can see the chemistry between the two of you when you’re together. It’s not one-sided that’s for sure. But if you don’t think your heart can handle casual, then don’t do it.”
There’s a sudden knock at Georgia’s door and we both stare at each other. It wouldn’t be Daniel, would it? No. He wouldn’t know I’m in her room. Georgia gets up and opens the door and it’s Ava who barrels in.
“Shit, I can’t believe this is happening,” she says excitedly as she comes into the room.
“What?” Georgia asks.
“I had a coffee with Harper Rose, and she’s offered me a job, here in New York.” She squeals.
Wait, what?
“Ava, oh my god, that is … wow …” Georgia says, hugging her.
“Congrats, this is huge. Tell us everything,” I say.
Ava sits down and tells us about the offer to work in the New York office, that Harper loved Ava, and had such a great vibe from her and thought she would be a great fit in New York, especially after Ava indicated that she would love to join them in the office.
“I would be starting in two weeks.”
“What?” I gasp.
“No,” Georgia groans.
“I know. It’s fast. I have so much to do,” Ava states and I can see her mind calculating everything.
“I’m going to be left alone in London,” Georgia pouts.
“Um, I’m still there,” I tell her.
“Temporarily.”
“Emily is moving back to London with Louis,” Ava adds.
Georgia nods. “This is true, but she’s going to be loved up and ew.”
She’s not wrong, they are nauseatingly in love and in their little bubble.
“I’m just going to miss you.”
“Then you need to come visit me here.” Ava grins.
“True, girls’ trip to New York.” I nod in agreement.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, I don’t mean rain on everyone’s parade. Me being here and away from work has been great, the thought of leaving New York and heading back to London to go back to work for an idiot is not appealing.” Georgia moans.
“Hey, I’m sure we can find you a new job,” I reassure her.
“Yeah, ask Daniel if he knows anyone,” Ava says not knowing what happened between us.
“Sure.” I nod.