Page 20 of Derivation

“Yeah, it looks like it.”

“When?” Arlowe asked.

“Huh?”

“When are you moving in? We have to give you a key and stuff.”

“Oh. I was thinking next weekend. I’m still in new-hire orientation at work, so I don’t have a lot of time to do that and move, but I’d like to start bringing things over slowly, going to the storage unit and putting stuff in my car every day after work. Can I start tomorrow?”

“Sure. I’ll give you the extra key before you leave tonight,” Arlowe replied.

“Great. And when do you want to go over the furniture stuff?”

“What do you have?” Enya asked.

“Pretty much everything. I have a full living room set, which this place doesn’t need, I guess, and then kitchen stuff mostly.”

“We could use a new coffee table. Arlowe’s had to fix this one a few times already,” Enya replied.

“This is our old, trusty table. We got it when we moved in,” Violet said, leaning forward and running her hand along the table.

“Which is why Arlowe’s had to fix it, like, three times,” Sarai added. “We got it at IKEA, Vi. I think it’s paid for itself by now.”

“Can we take it if they’re going to get rid of it?” Violet asked Stella.

“We don’t need a coffee table, babe.”

“Are you maybe missing this place?” Arlowe asked.

“No,” Violet stated quickly.

“You’re lying.” Sarai laughed. “You miss us.”

“I’m here all the time for work.”

“Yeah, but not to live. You miss us,” Sarai repeated.

Violet leaned over, kissed her girlfriend on the lips, and said, “I can miss something but still be totally happy with the decision I made.”

“Happy to hear that,” Stella replied.

“So, how is it, living together? It’s been a few months.”

“It’s been a week, Enya,” Violet said.

“No, you’ve basically been living with Stella for at least two months.”

“It’s been great,” Violet replied, rubbing Stella’s knee. “I do miss it here, though. I know I’m here all the time, but it’s still strange that I go home at the end of a workday. I have an actual commute now. I’m glad you guys decided to add a roommate. It’s kind of funny to me that it’s Gabi, whom we all met in Amsterdam, and that I met Stella there, too.” Violet shook her head and gave a small laugh. “Like our past is coming back to haunt us, but in a good way.”

“I’m glad you added the ‘good way’ part,” Gabi said.

“Hey, you don’t have a drink,” Sarai noted.

“I didn’t get anything.”

“What do you want? I’ll grab it.”

“Whatever you’re having, I guess,” she replied.