Free Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger Page A

from watery to bitter—but it was close to the studio and both girls could be certain that they would never see anyone they knew. There weren’t many places in downtown Manhattan where you could dine sporting yoga pants and sweaty ponytails without raising eyebrows, so they persevered.
    “I don’t know. I don’t suppose you think he’s gay?”
    “Of course not,” Adriana snapped.
    “And there’s no chance that he’s just not that into you….”
    Adriana gave one of her cute mini-snorts. “Please.”
    “Well, then it’s got to be one of the usuals. Erectile dysfunction, mid-herpes outbreak, freakishly small member. What else could it be?”
    Adriana considered these options, but none of them felt quite right. Yani seemed peaceful, accepting, completely self-assured in that strong, silent way. No man had ever not responded to her. And it’s not that she wasn’t trying—it had been years since she’d needed to make an effort like this, and that time the boy’s reluctance had been tied to his upcoming wedding—but it sometimes seemed like Yani didn’t even see her. The more she swung her hair or thrust out her perfect breasts, the less he noticed.
    “What else? Why, isn’t it obvious? He’s a total bed-wetter and he’s terrified of being found out.” Emmy seemed to materialize out of nowhere, and for the briefest moment Adriana was irritated to have the attention shifted away from her.
    “Hey! We didn’t know if you’d make it. Here, give me your stuff,” Leigh said, holding out her arms.
    “What, don’t you want me to sit next to you? I promise I’ll sit really close, maybe rub my shoulder against yours. It’ll be fun.”
    Leigh sighed.
    Adriana patted the seat next to her; she knew Leigh had “space issues” and she tried to be understanding, but it was annoying always having to be the one who got crammed inside booths and crowded in banquettes. “How does Russell deal with the fact that you can’t stand being near anyone?”
    “It’s not that I ‘can’t stand being near anyone.’ I just like a little buffer zone. What’s wrong with a little personal space?” Leigh asked.
    “Yeah, but seriously: Does he get it? Accept it? Or does he hate it?”
    Leigh sighed again. “He hates it. I feel bad. He comes from a huge, happy family of mouth-kissers! I’m an only child with parents as affectionate as ceramic statues. I’m working on it, but I can’t help that all that closeness and touching seriously freaks me out.”
    Adriana raised her hand in defeat. “Fair enough. As long as you recognize the issue.”
    Leigh nodded. “Definitely aware. Constantly, neurotically, miserably aware. And working on it, I promise.”
    Emmy collapsed onto the bench beside Adriana; the padded vinyl heaved a bit with the extra ninety-five pounds and then settled. “How was yoga? Still no love from the Y-man?”
    “Not yet. But he will succumb,” Adriana said.
    Leigh nodded. “They always do. For you, at least.”
    Emmy clapped her hand on the table. “Girls, girls! Have we forgotten so soon? Adriana is no longer seeking casual encounters. Of course, she’s welcome to become Yani’s girlfriend, but according to the rules, she cannot be his one-night stand.”
    “Ah, yes. The rules. Agreed to after one too many cocktails and, at least as of today, not settled yet. I think that still makes Yani fair game.” Adriana made a point to smile cutely, not sexily, focusing on deepening the dimples that appeared when she was acting her most girlish.
    Emmy blew her a kiss. “Honey, save those dimples for your future boyfriend. They’re worthless at this table. And besides, I have news.”
    “Duncan news?” Leigh asked automatically, forgetting for a second that they’d now been broken up for nearly three weeks.
    “No, not Duncan news—although I did run into his sister, who told me that he and the virgin cheerleader are going in on a Hamptons share with three other couples for July and