I love New York City. Okay, love may be stretching it, but I’m definitely happy and glad I decided to take the internship. My workload has increased. Never a bad thing when you’re trying to impress your boss. At our weekly check-in, Margie was ecstatic with what Talia and I had put together for Eo’s management team, which was basically starting the group at the bottom by rebuilding and expanding their fan base with a series of summer concerts. It was a shot in the dark, but one Talia and I were happy to present. We still have a lot of work to do on our proposal until it’s finalized. However, Margie wanted to see how we handle individual projects as well. I can say, without a doubt, I’m enjoying this job.

Tonight, Talia and I, along with two other sets of interns are going out for drinks to unwind from the long work hours we’ve endured as a result of our managers including us in their meetings. Coming into this internship, I didn’t know what to expect. Professor Jacobs didn’t have a lot of information on what my duties would be, other than I’d be working in the field of marketing. Being included in the day-to-day dealings has been a dream come true for me.

The bar we’re in is one of the new trendy hot spots with music so loud you can barely hear the person next to you. Yet, we continue to yell at each other, we nod like we understand what the other person is saying, and we laugh when they laugh because we don’t want to embarrass ourselves and miss a social cue.

Tara orders a round of shots. She, along with Ashley, Roy and Jeff are the other interns working for Omni. Everyone, including Talia, thinks we’re long overdue for a night of debauchery. I don’t disagree, but I’ve been down this road before and getting sloppy faced drunk usually leads to bad choices, which leads to life changing moments.

Okay, not all parties end up like my birthday. That night was nothing more than an unfortunate incident. One I’d love to forget, but can’t. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, Elle is always at the forefront of my mind. Maybe it’s because my project revolves around a band and I spent so much time with 4225 West, that it’s bound to bring back memories. I remember my first tour with them. I didn’t think my mom would let me go, but she shocked everyone when she told me to have fun.

“Okay, I’ve cleaned the house, and I bought her flowers.”

“I’m sure she’ll say yes. Do you want my dad to come over?” Elle asks. She’s currently sitting on my couch with her knees pulled to her chest, reading one of the books that’s on our required summer reading list. I have yet to start mine, while she’s on her third.

“I think my mom would crap her pants if Harrison James was in her living room.”

Elle looks up from her book and rolls her eyes. “He can be very smooth when he wants something.”

“And he wants me to come on this month-long tour?”

She shrugs. “His princess does.”

“You’re so spoiled.”

Elle closes the book and sets it down on top of her bag. “I’m not, Ben. You’ve been to my house. We live modestly. We have chores. We work.” By we, she’s referring to her brother and sister. Yes, she’s right. I’ve never known children of famous people who have jobs, albeit, they work at the café which is owned by family. However, the Powell-James siblings stay out of trouble and are never in the tabloids. Believe me, I’ve Googled Elle far too many times.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. Maybe your dad should come over or your mom.”

Elle digs through her bag and pulls out her cell phone. She types away but doesn’t tell me to who. The nerves I was feeling a few minutes ago have increased tenfold. I’ve never had someone famous in my house before, and I’m not sure how my mom will react. I know she loves the band and was a fan long before we moved here. Me choosing to fall for Elle, was just dumb luck.

I begin to pace, and when I’m not pacing, I’m sweeping the floor and wiping imaginary dust particles off the lampshade. Elle tells me to stop worrying, but I can’t. The sound of a motorcycle rumbles to a stop in front of my house.

“You texted your dad?”

She shrugs. “Like I said, he’s smooth.”

“Crap on a cracker.” Since meeting Elle, I’ve tried to clean my mouth up. For the most part, my mom lets my brother and I get away with anything, including our language. However, Elle said she didn’t like it, so I’ve tried to watch what I say, at least when I’m around her.

I jump at the sound of Harrison’s knuckles hitting my door, even though I knew he was going to knock.

“Stop worrying, everything will be fine,” Elle says as she goes to open the door for her dad. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, princess.” He kisses the top of her forehead, and that’s when his eyes meet mine. “Ben.”

“Hello, Mr. HPJ.” Elle’s parents have ridiculous long last names.

“Please, call me Harrison or Elle’s dad.”

I shake my head. I refuse, and honestly don’t know why. I’ve known Elle and her family for almost a year now and I still get nervous around them.

“Daddy, come sit. Ben’s mom will be home any minute.” Harrison follows Elle into the living room. He’s dressed the same as always with his khaki shorts, distressed shirt, and beanie. Not to mention, combat boots.

No sooner do they sit down does my mom walk through the door. “Benjamin, what on earth is wrong, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I swallow hard and try to smile. “I’m fine.” My head turns toward the couch where Harrison and Elle are sitting.

“Oh my is that…” My mom starts fussing with her hair and quickly pulls out her phone. It looks like she’s about to take a selfie, but I know she’s checking to make sure she looks presentable. “You could’ve warned me.”

“He literally just walked in the door.”

“Hello, Mr. Powell-James. So nice of you to come to our home.”

Harrison stands and extends his hand. I glance at Elle, who doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. “Happy to be here, Brenda. It seems the children have asked that I come to ask you an important question.”

“Oh?”

“Elle would like Ben to accompany us on our summer tour. It’ll only run for a month in the US, and we’ll travel by bus.”

“Oh.” My mom looks from Harrison to me and then back to Harrison. “I don’t know. I thought you were going to work this summer, Benjamin.”

“I am. I will.”

“Ben will be part of the road crew, so he’ll get paid while we’re gone.”

“And he’ll be responsible for his own stuff?”

“No, he won’t, Mrs. Miller. Despite what my daddy might say, my mom would never allow it,” Elle stands and chimes in. “Can he please go? We won’t get into any trouble. My parents will know where we are at all times. And anytime you want to come to one of the shows, you just tell me, and we’ll make it happen.”

I expect Harrison to chastise Elle for speaking over him, but he doesn’t. He smiles and puts his arm around her.

“Elle’s right. Ben will be treated like family.”

My mom looks at me. I can see the wheels turning in her brain. Every few seconds she sighs, making me wonder if I should ask Elle to leave so my mom and I can discuss the offer on the table.

“Have a good time, Ben.”

“YES!” Elle screams and wraps her arms around me. “We’re going to have the best summer. Thank you, Mrs. Miller.”

“You’re welcome, Elle.”

“Thanks, Mom, and Mr. HPJ.”

“You’re welcome, Ben. I’m glad you’re coming on tour with us.”

“Me, too.”

That summer I expected things to change between Elle and I. We were alone so many times on the bus, but the friendship wall was up, and it was too tall for me to climb. I’m not sure a ladder would’ve helped. After that, I sort of went with the flow and followed her lead, until it ended us up in my bed and our friendship severely damaged. Hindsight is fifty-fifty. I should’ve told her no.

The warm feel of a hand pressed into mine brings my thoughts back to the present. I look down to find Talia, smiling up at me with dreamy eyes. It would be so easy to kiss her right now or even when I stop outside her door later, but emotions mess everything up. Instead of letting go of her hand, I hold on a bit tighter until our round of drinks show up, and I have no choice but to let go.

We each grab a shot glass and hold them high in the air. “To the most amazing set of interns who are going to take New York by storm!” Ashley shouts. Our hands meet in the middle and liquor splashes everywhere, some slipping down my arm. I’m a little annoyed at the mess, but I can’t let it bother me. Not right now, not in front of my peers.

The liquor goes down easy, way too easy for my liking. I order the next round almost immediately. I know my limits, but sometimes it’s nice to forget, and this might be one of those times.

I lose count of how many rounds we end up drinking, although I’m pretty sure I bought two. On our way home, my arm is around Talia and hers is hanging onto my belt loop. We’re closer than we should be right now, but I like it. I like feeling the heat from her body and the reverberations of her laughter.

The six of us decide to stop for pizza. It’s a necessity in the city, and the little mom and pop places that you pass by have the best pizza. Inside, the standing room only parlor is warm. The older lady behind the counter serves each of us a slice. At a dollar, you can’t go wrong, and after all the alcohol we’ve had, we need it.

The girls are laughing. At what, I have no idea. Talia keeps falling into me, and when I’m not eating my pizza, my hands are on her hips, holding her steady. She put away more booze than I thought she could and I’m hoping tomorrow isn’t a bummer of a day for her. Thankfully, we’re ahead on our project so we can take a day off.

Ashley and Roy want to hit another bar, but after another slice of pizza, I’m ready to head home. “I’m going to head home,” I tell Talia. She sets her hand on my chest and looks into my eyes. I can’t read her, not like I can Elle. I close my eyes and will any thought of Elle away. “Are you going to stay?”

She shakes her head slightly. “No, I think I’m going to go home with you.”

We tell the group we’re leaving, and we’ll meet up with them Sunday morning for coffee. Outside, we go our separate ways, with Talia and I heading toward the subway, and again, my arm is around her and she’s leaning into me. Part of me is tempted to see how we fit together, but I’m not in favor of rocking the boat or sleeping with a co-worker.

In a few weeks though, she may not be a co-worker. There’s nothing saying we’ll win the competition, and if we do, if both of us take the job. However, it would be nice to be with someone who cares for me… as long as she’s not drunk.