Chapter 32
Chapter
Day of the Meeting
After zipping up my suitcase, I sit on the edge of my bed, pulling up my flight information. I’m catching the red-eye after our meeting with Mara today and then just like that, heading back to my life. Like the past four weeks never happened.
Adam and I haven’t spoken since our fight. I thought about calling him, but at this point, there’s not much left to be said. There’s no use in reaching back out to him unless we have a future together, and we don’t. At least, not in the way I thought.
Upon leaving, I do my due diligence and make sure everything is back to its original placement, everything’s unplugged, and the trash is taken out.
Before hailing a cab, I take a final look at 74 Perry, and a weak smile escapes me.
It’s the end of October, and there’s a beautiful display of pumpkins placed in front of all the brownstones, including ours.
It feels like a lifetime has passed since being at the skyscraper in Tribeca almost a month ago. I repeat the same motions as before—head up the elevator, sit in the waiting room—except this time, I’m eagerly anticipating Adam walking through the doors.
My time alone left me with a lot of thoughts. Maybe all Adam and I were ever meant to be were roommates, or friends, or even investment partners, whatever bullshit term you want to slap on. I don’t care, as long as we’re something. I’d rather be something and have it kill me, than nothing.
“June?” Mara turns the corner, wearing a new pair of thick-rimmed glasses and a black muumuu. I follow her down the hall into her office and take a seat across from her. “How have you been?”
“Fine,” I lie. “How have you been?”
“Oh, good—my granddaughter came here last week. She’s studying in London!”
“Wow,” I say, trying to sound as impressed as I can be. She types a few more things on her keyboard and pulls out some documents.
“Sorry, just give me one more minute,” she says. “I’m pulling up your files.”
I smile. “Take your time.” I glance behind me, keeping a lookout for Adam, the anticipation killing me. I smooth out my sweater and tuck my hair behind my ear.
“So what did you think of Perry? The renovations are great, aren’t they?”
“Oh my God, yes,” I agree. “It’s really beautiful. I almost can’t believe it’s the same place.”
“Mm.” Mara lets out a noncommittal noise.
“All right, here we go.” She starts printing papers and grabs them from the printer behind her.
“Thank you for reviewing everything last week. Makes this process a lot easier…I just need you to sign here and here, and the house is all yours.” She slides over two stacks of paper with an X marked on two different spots.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “Shouldn’t we wait for Adam?”
“Mr. Harper? Oh no.” She shakes her head. “He signed everything yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” I frown. “I could have sworn our appointment was today.”
“It is,” she says with a smile. “But he’s not needed anymore, now that he’s forfeited ownership. So it’s just your signature we need.”
“ Forfeited ownership ?” I repeat.
“Yes.” Now Mara seems like the confused one.
“What…” I start. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s not coming.” She lets out a little laugh. “His forfeiting ownership means that you are now the sole owner.” She nudges the pen a little closer to me. “Congratulations.”
Everything from that moment on feels like a blur, like I’m in slow motion while the world continues to move around me.
Mara’s in front of me and I know she’s talking, but it’s like I’m stuck in quicksand, as if I’m slowly falling into a dark hole and nothing else matters.
There’s movement coming from her end, like she’s waving her hand for my attention, and I bring myself to focus on her.
“Ms. Wood? Are you okay?”
I swallow and shake my head. “I’m sorry. I just…”
Mara looks concerned. “Did you not know this was going to happen?”
“No. I mean, I just…I forgot the process.” I let out an awkward laugh. “Sorry.”
“Right,” she says skeptically. She then slides in my direction a file organizer full of papers. “Well, how about you spend some time looking over these again. I can also email you the forms and you can send them back with an e-signature by tomorrow end of day.”
“That would be…” Words continue to escape me. “Great. Thank you.”
“Not a problem. I just do want to remind you that if we don’t get the documents back by tomorrow, the property will be absorbed by the bank.”
“What about Adam?” I ask.
“Ms. Wood.” Mara’s tone sounds a little impatient.
“Aside from full ownership, the terms of this agreement have not changed since we spoke four weeks ago. If you don’t make your decision in the next twenty-four hours, neither you nor Mr. Harper will own this home, and the six-point-two million will be absorbed by the bank. ”
I know I’m not in the right headspace, but there’s no way I can let this past month be for nothing.
“Actually.” I sit up straight and take the pen sitting on the desk. “No need to send them. I’ll sign now.”
“How could he do this?!” The blood rushes to my cheeks and I pace outside of Mara’s office building. “It’s always been the plan to own the house together.”
“So, it’s official? You actually own Perry?” Chloe’s voice combats the sound of street traffic in my ear.
“Yeah.” I let out an incredulous laugh. “I signed the paperwork and everything. It’s official.”
“Okay, well, this is not a bad thing!” Chloe says, and I grip my phone, dying to see how she’ll spin this. “It’s stressful owning property, but I will help you through it. You just focus on catching your flight and thinking about whether you want to sell it or keep it and—”
“Sell it,” I say without missing a beat.
“Are you sure?” she says.
It was hard enough having to stay there all week by myself, and now, after everything, there’s no way I can be in that house and not think of Adam. I need a clean break.
“I can’t, Chloe. I can’t keep that place, it’s too hard.” I shake my head and clutch the folder of documents against my chest.
“Okay.” She takes a beat. “But don’t sell now. The market is terrible—wait until after the holidays.”
That’s sound advice. I know the basics when it comes to real estate, but I certainly don’t keep up with the market, considering I was never close to buying property of my own.
“Right. Okay.” I switch my phone to the other ear. “I just, I can’t believe he just didn’t show up. No warning. Isn’t that fucked up?” I say, but I’m met with silence on the other end. “Chlo?”
“Look, I’m always Team June,” she says, and I feel like I’m about to get served a but sandwich. “But, isn’t this what you did to him ?”
“Well…” I let out a pathetic breath. “ Shit. I guess but I don’t know. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“No, but you’re missing the whole point in all of this. You think Adam did this as a big fuck-you? From where I’m standing, he just gave you six million dollars.”
As expected, Los Angeles greets me with sunshine and its staple seventy-degree weather. That feeling of cozy warmth, vibrant colors on the trees, the scent of pumpkin and nutmeg, and crisp air that can be described only as the perfect autumn afternoon is long gone.
On my first night back, Shivani, Zach, and I order sushi and I half pay attention to the reruns of The Real Housewives they want to watch. I decide to not tell them about Perry Street, Les Misérables, or the upcoming film until I decide what my next moveis.
“So, how was New York?” Shivani reaches for a piece of sashimi.
“Did you change your mind about hating it?” Zach asks.
“The verdict is in.” I nod. “I can confidently say I do not hate New York City.”
“Ayy.” Zach starts snapping his fingers.
“Did work put you up in a nice place?” Shivani asks. “Last time I was there I stayed at this really cute spot in Chelsea.”
“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “I just stayed with a friend.”
“A friend ?” Shivani raises her eyebrows.
“It’s not like that—he’s an old friend.” I take an eel tempura roll and dip it in soy sauce.
“ He ?” Zach repeats.
Shivani turns to Zach. “I have been trying to set June up with someone for almost six months and she insists she isn’t looking for anything. Now I know it’s because she’s got some friend back in New York. I get it.”
Why I continue to talk escapes me. Maybe it’s to prove a point, but I don’t know if it’s to myself or someone else across the country. “Set me up with Brad,” I say to Shivani.
“Ben?” she asks.
“Yeah, set me up with Ben.”
“Are you sure your friend won’t get mad?” Zach asks, then takes a sip of his miso soup.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I roll my eyes and turn to Shivani. “Can you remind me how you know him again?”
“He’s a regular at the Pilates studio…natural supplement company…He’s also a real estate agent…” Shivani says like she’s trying to jog my memory. “I haven’t hung out with him in a social setting, but he’s nice and he’s hot. I’m not saying marry him, but have fun, see where it goes.”
In two weeks’ time, I’m on a date with Ben-not-Brad.
A relationship isn’t something I’m looking for right now, but dating is a nice distraction.
We meet at this New American spot in Venice that feels far too pretentious and I’m instantly annoyed at having to circle the block four or five times to find a parking spot.
The restaurant is fine, really leaning into the minimalist beach vibe.
Ben’s already sitting at a table toward the back.
Shivani was right—he’s a good-looking guy, with light brown hair in a very specific cut.
I’m wearing jeans with a white cashmere sweater; his style is leaning on the athleisure side with an eccentric pair of Jordans.
“Hey, June.” He stands up and gives me a kiss on the cheek. He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me to sit down.
“Hey, Ben, ” I say his name, proud of myself. “Nice to finally meet. Shivani only has wonderful things to say.” I take a seat.