Sunday afternoon; from apt 7134 to elevator to lobby, Emily OTA Emily held the phone on her left ear while she stared into the mirror and used her teeth to screw the mascara open.
"Mm-hmm," she mumbled to the phone with the vial between her teeth before she got to take it out and place it on her table. "I know, Mom's a pain. You should just make up an excuse to get away from her or you'll hear her moan about me and work and dad and the government and everything at one go."
Emily widened her eyes as she brought the mascara brush closer to her face and began applying. Jenny, her old and dear friend from her hometown Los Angeles, was in the other end. They had not talked in a while, so Emily stayed on the phone with her even though she had to get ready for work at the same time.
"Nah, I'm used to your mom already. Besides, I hear from her about what you have or have not done, and that's always fun," Jenny teased her.
"Right. What is it this time?"
"Oh the usual. How you couldn't stay in LA and how she thinks you go off into the world only to avoid your parents, and how you're turning thirty next year and you still don't have a man."
"The same old story, then," Emily agreed.
"Pretty much. But come on. The Manor is full of wonderful people! Why don't you get one of them for you?"
"It doesn't work like that, Jen," Emily snorted and blinked at the mirror checking if her lashes looked alright.
"There has to be someone you'd fancy! How about the... marine guy you shared the hot tub with?"
"Taken. Besides he's not my type."
"How do you know who's your type if you never try anyone?"
"Hmh, I know who'd be my type," Emily muttered before she even knew it.
"Wait what? You actually have someone in mind? Boo-yah, Emmie's got a crush on a guy! Who is he? What's he like? Tell me everything. Is he handsome?"
"I didn't say I had a crush!" Emily protested but rolled her eyes at herself for letting her tongue slip.
"You practically did. Go on! You can tell me. I won't tell your mom."
"...promise?" Emily asked after pausing to think.
"Promise!" Jenny said enthusiastically. "Now tell me! Who is he?"
"I don't wanna really say anything," Emily squirmed on her chair feeling uncomfortable. "I don't think it's gonna work out."
"Why the hell not? Because you're too shy again?"
"No, I just... he's... I think he just wants to be friends. I don't think he fancies me."
"Pfah! That's just you and your insecurities. Is he hot?"
Emily took a moment before she answered and smiled at herself in the mirror dreamily. "Yes."
"Oooh. A hunk? Muscular? Tall and dark and handsome?" Jennifer listed obviously jokingly and did not expect Emily's answer.
"Get out! Now you're just making it all up! He has to be dick. Hot guys always are."'
"Nope. He's really sweet. Super polite, a real gentleman, and really thoughtful, but still so... laid back. Fun."
"Emily, he's imaginary, isn't he? I think you should get professional help."
"I'm not kidding!"
"Alright, so, what's the problem with Mister Dreamy?"
"I don't know. We've been out together, and we've taken dance classes and had dinner and been dancing at this club and...
"You've taken dance classes together?!" Jenny exclaimed.
"Yeah. Salsa."
"Holy crap! He's doing it voluntarily?"
"Yes, I think he really enjoys it."
"He's gay," was Jenny's immediate judgement.
"Oh ha ha. I don't think so."
"So you've been out for dinner and dancing and everything and you claim he's not gay... and you still think he's not interested?"
"I don't know and that's the problem! Because if I do something but he's not interested, our friendship would be ruined and we'd be all awkward together. But I'd really... like to... you know. But then I don't know if I should. And I don't know what I should do in the first place if I would do something."
"So the bottom line is that you wanna know if he's got the hots for you like you've got for him, but he's too awesome to lose as a friend even though you'd want more?" Jenny summarized.
"Um, yes."
Jenny was quiet for a while. "God I hate situations like that."
"Yeah me too," Emily muttered. "But you know, I gotta get to work. Let me know if you get any bright ideas."
"And you keep me posted on the situation!" Jenny told her.
After the phone call Emily felt strangely lightened - she had not been talking about those thoughts and feelings to anyone, and now vocalizing her worries made her feel a little better, as if her mind had rearranged itself while she had been talking with Jenny.
She gathered her bag, put her dark long hair on a loose ponytail, said bye to Wayne, and finally picked up her scooter helmet and checked herself from the mirror. She made a mental note to keep her knees together while driving or the short denim skirt would show everything. She left her apartment and stepped into the elevator from the seventh floor and pressed the button for the lobby.