Tanya removed the last of her luggage from the trunk of the cab. Slamming it shut, she placed her hands on her hips and looked up at the building in front of her, which would be her temporary home. She had spent the summer after graduation in her hometown of Crawfordsville, Indiana. Her parents had retired to Florida, and she was ready to begin her new life in New York.

“I can’t believe you’re finally here!” a voice screamed. A blur of brown hair and arms flew down the steps towards her, pulling Tanya into a tight hug.

Beaming from ear-to-ear, Tanya wrapped her arms back around the woman holding her close.

“Come on, let’s get you upstairs and settled. I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you at the airport. The shoot went hours longer than it was supposed to, which kept me tied up most of the day.”

“It’s okay, Sarah. I’m just glad to be here,” Tanya replied. She looked all around, unable to fight the smile that took over her features. She had always dreamt of living in a big city, but now her new job and her big sister, Sarah, were making that dream a reality.

“I know, and you’re going to love it! Let me help you with your luggage.”

The lobby was decorated in modern white and gold décor with a large, ostentatious chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Tanya wondered how the couches remained stark white. Nobody must ever sit on them, she thought.

Sarah led the way to the glass elevator and pressed the button for the seventh floor. Tanya nearly pressed her nose to the glass as she watched the people move in a hurried pace through the lobby as the elevator reached Sarah’s floor.

They walked down the hall, and Sarah unlocked the door and gestured for Tanya to go inside.

“This place is super cute!” Tanya admired, walking into her sister’s small, but elegant, apartment. The scent of lavender and citrus filled the air, which was a fragrance that Sarah had always loved.

The open floor space was well-lit by a corner of windows on the east-side of the apartment, along with the track lighting. Hardwood floors gleamed underneath Tanya’s feet as she followed Sarah, who was taking her on a tour.

“This artwork is amazing!” Tanya noted, taking in the bold splashes of color on the canvases lining the hallway.

“The colors really brighten this place up,” said Sarah, obviously pleased by her sister’s admiration of the paintings. “A friend of mine has an art gallery, and he painted two of these. He gave them to me as gifts for Christmas and my birthday. I purchased the others from artists he showcases,” Sarah explained, opening a closed door.

“And this is your room,” she said excitedly, stepping aside to allow Tanya entrance into the small space.

Painted in a muted gray with white trim with recessed lighting, the room had a sleek, contemporary style. She admired the beams in the ceiling overhead and the closet space that took up one wall. Being that she was in New York city, she was grateful that she had any closet space at all, so the fact that she had enough room for all of her clothes was a big bonus.

“Sarah, this means so much to me. I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here while I get settled.”

“Tanya, please, you’re my baby sister, it’s the least I can do. Besides, Mom and Dad wouldn’t have it any other way. And I’m glad to have you here. I’ve missed being close to you! But now that you’ve got a job at Greener Communications, it won’t be too long before you’re living the life and won’t need me anymore. Maybe you’ll need to help me!” Sarah said smiling, stepping back down the hallway.

Tanya followed behind her. “I’m not sure about that. Luck has followed you your entire life. You’ve been on more magazine covers than I can count, and now that you’re the face of Poet Swimwear, you definitely won’t need my help financially or socially. I can’t wait to go to some of those parties you’re always telling me about.”

“I am holding you to that, lil’ sis. You’ve never been much of a partier, but now that you’re living with me, I am thinking about making attending parties with me a requirement because I am not charging you rent.”

“I promise! Really, I want to get out and enjoy all that New York has to offer. I will always be standing in your shadow though.”

“Seriously, Tanya? Have you looked in the mirror? I told you that my agency was ready to sign you, but you continue to insist that you want to pursue your career at Greener Communications.”

“I know I am just going to be a project manager, but this is really important to me, Sarah. I know it’s not as lavish as your lifestyle, but to me, it’s a big deal.”

“It’s not a bad lifestyle, just different. I am proud of you, Tanya. You’re going to work for one of the major communication companies in New York! Besides, Andrew Greene is ridiculously hot. I’d pay money to stare at him all day,” Sarah said playfully.

“Seriously, Sarah? You’d pay to stare at a good-looking guy?” Tanya asked, shaking her head and laughing. “We need to find you a better hobby.”

“Well, I am sure he won’t make you pay. He’ll be all over you before lunchtime on your first day.”

Tanya laughed. “Sleeping with my boss? On the first day? It’s a good thing I have enough sense to ignore your career advice.” Tanya replied, tucking her feet underneath her on the couch and grabbing a pillow close in her arms.

Sarah padded barefoot into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. Tanya watched while she pulled out the ingredients to prepare Portobello mushroom sandwiches and a salad.

“Sleep with him? I never said that. I think that is your own subconscious bringing you innermost desires to light.”

Tanya threw a pillow from the couch in the direction of her sister.

Sarah ducked. “Ha! You missed.”

Tanya loved her big sister and was really excited to be sharing her first grown-up apartment outside of college with her sibling and best friend. They were only eighteen months apart, so they had always been close, even though they were complete opposites. Sarah was extremely smart and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Columbia, but never pursued that career after her modeling career took off. Throughout their teenage years, Sarah had always been the wild one, while Tanya was out to do good in the world. Sarah spent her spring breaks in Mexico with her sorority sisters, while Tanya traveled to impoverished countries on humanitarian projects.

Sarah asked, “Have you met the owner of your company yet? I’ve seen Andrew Greene at so many parties. Women practically throw themselves at him. So, if he hits on you, have a little fun, but don’t let your heart get involved.”

“Listen, you need to drop it. I am not sleeping with my boss. Mr. Greene will appreciate that I have a good work ethic and a good head on my shoulders. I was hired to do a job. That’s what I’m going to do, and nothing more.”

Tanya hopped up from the sofa to grab the plate Sarah had just prepared for her.

“I’m here to do a job and build my career, and that’s it! I’ve never been that type of girl and you know that.” She bit into the sandwich, savoring the garlic pesto spread Sarah had used.

Sarah smirked. “I know… That’s why you never had fun at school.”

Tanya shook her head thinking about how Sarah had gone wild during her college years, while still managing to graduate with honors. Once a party girl, always a party girl.