I want to laugh. I need to find a new location for my friend’s bachelorette party of sixteen women on a Friday night in New York. Nothing too pressing.

“Um, no,” I lie, “what do you need?”

“The review copies of Take Me Down got delivered to my building today instead of the office on Monday.”

“Oh, no.” My brain starts cranking, wondering if I made that mistake. The way this day is going, anything is possible.

“Paul’s assistant put the wrong address, so now there are twenty boxes of books in the lobby at the Pierre. Would you go over and let Orlando into my place?”

This is the last thing I need, another item on my growing to-do list.

“I don’t want them sitting there all weekend,” she adds.

“Of course. I’ll take care of it,” I say, fighting back the panic that’s telling me this detour is only going to eat into the time I have to figure out the bachelorette party location situation. I need JoAnna to know that I’ve got everything under control.

JoAnna isn’t an egotistical, demanding boss. If she’s calling me on a Friday evening, she legitimately needs my help.

“Please have him put them in the guest bedroom next to my office.”

“Okay. I’m on my way now.”

On the bright side, JoAnna’s penthouse apartment is only a few blocks away from the restaurant so I gather my things—balloons, party tote and obscene man cake—with the hope that the short walk will give me time to brainstorm a new plan for the night’s festivities.

* * *

JoAnna’s apartment is the entire top floor of the Pierre Hotel, across from Central Park. The doorman, Hank, opens the palatial gold door for me, offering to help me carry the items I’m loaded down with. I wave him off, though. It’s one of those situations that if I try to hand off anything I’m going to end up dropping it all. Also, there’s no way I want this sweet, white-haired man seeing this cake.

If Hank notices the cake, he doesn’t say anything.

Orlando at the concierge desk greets me with a smile.

“Good evening, Chloe. You’re here for the delivery, I presume?”

“Yes.” Looking at all the boxes, my eyes go wide. How long is this going to take?

He must read my panic.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a dolly and I’ll do the heavy lifting.”

“Oh, great.” I’m relieved. I didn’t come for heavy lifting in my heels and sequined party dress.

I use the key card JoAnna gave me months ago to let myself into the elevator and Orlando follows with the loaded dolly, up to the top floor. When I exit the elevator into her apartment, I’m greeted by the scent of the large floral bouquet on the entryway table.