Cleo flopped back down on the pillows behind her. “It’s like he’s so handsome he never had to learn social skills.”

I took a sip of water. “I’m just worried that I’ve now put both of us in a strange position. And, like, way to go, me—kissing the first client I’ve ever had.” I shook my head, frustrated at myself. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted.

“You’ve really set me up here.” Lola’s eyes twinkled. “Should I say what I want to say?”

Cleo kicked at her playfully. “No!” she scolded.

Lola snorted in reply. “Fine. But you make it too easy sometimes, Fran!”

“No, but seriously.” I frowned, thinking things through. “I’ve started my own business. I don’t need to be making out with my clients, especially my first one. I should be using him for referrals, not his body.”

“That’s fair,” Cleo mused. “But in your defense, you did meet him outside of work. In a totally random and also cliché-to-the-point-of-being-absurdly-romantic way. So it’s only fair that this happened.”

“I’m just second-guessing everything now,” I said, nervously chewing on a fingernail.

“And technically, you’re done working for him. The party was last night.” Cleo leaned forward, and I could tell she was excited by this work-around. Solving things wasn’t just her specialty; it made her giddy.

I nodded. “I’m just waiting on my final payment from them.”

“So there’s your out. As long as you both consent to moving forward with some sort of physical relationship, you’re fine. You can, in fact, use him for his body.”

“Agreed,” Lola said with a slow clap. Cleo bowed in the most exaggerated way possible.

“So can I make my strange-position joke now?” Lola asked.

“No!” Cleo shouted, throwing a pillow at Lola, who ducked so it landed behind her.

My phone sounded again, and we all jumped. I peered down, expecting more from Hayes. Instead, it was a number I didn’t recognize.

Hi Franny, this is Serena!!! Hayes gave me your number. I’d love to hop on a call to discuss possibly working together. I moved a couple of months ago and my apartment needs major tlc. I’m in a 2br right on Gramercy Park. Xoxoxo

“Oh boy,” I said with a big sigh, and read it out loud to my friends. She lived in one of the most exclusive parts of the city, where residents got a key to a private park.

“Wow, it’s like she has a sixth sense,” Cleo mused.

“This is crazy,” I said, unease settling in my bones. “What now—I’m going to make out with the guy she was dating and then also decorate her apartment?”

“I mean, yeah.” Lola gave me a confused look. “That’s exactly what’s going to happen.”