Free Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan Page A

pulled a face and shook her head. “No.”
    “Clever Genie.” Frankie deadheaded a rose.
    Matt stirred. “City Genie?”
    “Urban Genie.” It was Jake who spoke, his voice low and sexy in the darkness. “And anytime you three want to rub my lamp, go right ahead.”
    Paige turned toward him, a sharp rejection on her lips, and then she stopped.
    Urban Genie.
    It was perfect.
    “I love it.”
    “I love it, too.” Frankie nodded and so did Eva.
    “Paige Walker, CEO of Urban Genie. You’re in the driving seat, heading down the freeway to fortune. I’m happy to be your passenger.” Eva raised her glass and frowned. “My glass is half-full.”
    Frankie grinned. “I would have said the glass was half-empty. I guess that says a lot about the difference between us.”
    “We each bring our different strengths to the business and there are no passengers.” Paige reached for the champagne bottle and topped up Eva’s glass. “You’re driving, too.”
    “Hey, I can change a wheel but I’m not driving the car.” Frankie brushed soil from her sweatpants. “That’s your job.”
    Their faith in her was as scary as it was heartwarming.
    “Three women drivers,” Jake drawled, glancing at Matt. “Better start taking the subway.”
    Paige knew he was winding her up but this time she didn’t care.
    Anticipation and excitement rushed through her. She was starting her own business. Right now. And with her closest friends.
    What could be better?
    “Urban Genie. We’re in business.” She raised her glass. “Eva, go and rescue your lucky shirt. We’re going to need it.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    There’s no such thing as a free lunch, unless your best friend is a cook.
    —Frankie
    “W AKE UP .” P AIGE put a cup of coffee down by Eva’s bed but her friend didn’t stir. “I’m going for a run, and when I get back you need to be awake and ready to go.”
    There was a sound from under the covers. “Gowhere?”
    “To work. Today is our first day as Urban Genie. We’re going to make it a good one.”
    Paige’s head throbbed. She’d been up half the night making lists and notes. And trying not to second-guess her decision.
    What had she done?
    Would they all be better off looking for jobs?
    “What time is it?”
    “Six thirty.”
    The lump in the bed moved and Eva emerged, hair wild, eyes sleepy. “Seriously? This is what time our day starts at Urban Genie? I resign.”
    Sun shone through the windows, illuminating the high ceilings and hardwood floors. Eva’s clothes were strewn around the room, in rainbow colors and assorted textures. A pair of gold flats peeped from under the bed and three bottles of jewel-bright nail polish sat on the bedside table next to a book on how to look fabulous on a budget.
    Despite her state of anxiety, Paige smiled. Eva always looked fabulous.
    When she’d first arrived in New York, she’d been the only one living with Matt. Eva had been sharing an apartment with her grandmother until she’d moved into sheltered living and the apartment had been sold to fund her care. Eva had been homeless and Paige had asked Matt if she could have a roommate. He hadn’t hesitated. Frankie had joined them a month later.
    They were three small-town girls, living in the big city, and soon they were as close as they’d been growing up.
    Living with her friends had proved surprisingly easy given their differences, one of the biggest of which was the hours they kept.
    Eva was a sloth in the mornings.
    “Get up.” Paige gave her friend a nudge. “I want you to design a personalized menu for Baxter and Baxter. I’m calling them later.”
    “The ad agency? Star Events pitched for that account.”
    “And lost because they weren’t original enough. This is a young, dynamic agency. We need to be equally dynamic. And original.”
    “I don’t feel dynamic.” Eva pulled the pillow over her head. “And I can’t be original at six thirty in the morning. Go away.”
    “You have until seven thirty to