Page 59 of Fifth Avenue Flirt
“Everything okay?” Deacon asks from the rowing machine next to me.
“Fine,” I say.
“You go to the design awards thing last night?”
I nod. “I’ve been thinking that I might need a new goal,” I say.
“Goal?” he asks as he pulls back, sweat dripping down his face.
“Yeah. Like maybe I need to change tack or something.”
“Interesting,” Deacon responds.
“Interesting?”
“Yeah, well, is this because Avril is living with you? You’ve suddenly had an epiphany?”
“You think Avril living with me for a couple of days has changed my entire approach to life?”
“Don’t say it like that. It’s not such a ridiculous idea. Someone in your space might help you see the world differently.”
“I have plenty of people in my space all the time. My job is to socialize. Get to know people.”
“Right. But do they get to know you? I don’t think so. Maybe you’re letting Avril in.”
I scoff as I follow the handlebar forward. “She’s been sleeping in the guest room for a few nights. She’s my lodger for a week. She’s not changing my life. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Oh, I’m not worried,” he replies. “Maybe you need some kind of shift.”
I groan. “Deacon, you’re not going to become that guy, are you?”
“What guy?”
“The guy who finds the one and then thinks love is the answer to everyone’s problems.”
He chuckles. “I’m not saying love is the answer to everyone’s problems—”
“Good,” I reply before he can elaborate. “Because it’s not. It’s money. It’s a roof over your head and food in your belly.”
“Right,” Deacon says. “Food and shelter is definitely the first thing everyone needs. But you have all those things. And money.”
“Because I’ve worked hard, been supremely focused for years, been consistent, showed up, never let anyone down.”
Deacon releases the handlebar and his head drops as he catches his breath. “You’ve absolutely done all those things.”
“I’ve built a goddamn fortune.”
“Right,” he says.
“We both have,” I remind him.
“We both have,” he echoes.
“We have the respect of the New York establishment. We’ve come from nothing and now we have this city at our feet.” I let go of the handlebar too. I don’t normally brag about my achievements, but it’s true. I’ve come a long way.
“You ever heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?” Deacon asks.
“Vaguely,” I say.
