“You’re not cheating too bad. It says, ‘fresh local ingredients.’” She takes another bite of cheeseburger.
“I’m pretty sure there’s nothing healthy about this lunch.”
It’s perfect, and as soon as we’re done, we’re out on the street again, leftovers in hand. We come out of Alphabet City and walk over to the East River, facing Brooklyn. The sun is high overhead, and a light breeze ripples across the water. We continue walking south until we reach a set of park benches facing the water. A large bridge is in the background.
“Is that the Brooklyn Bridge?” She takes my hand and leads me to sit.
“Williamsburg.” I sit beside her, putting my arm around her shoulders. “Brooklyn is further south.”
“Is this the one from the movie?”
“That’s Queensboro. It’s further north.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “I’m all mixed up.”
“It’s okay. I know the way.” Reaching for her hand, I lace our fingers again, loving this day, the time we’re spending together. “I’m really glad you came with me.”
“I’m having an amazing time.”
I like that again, she doesn’t pull away. She leans her head against her hand and studies me. “How do you know so much about New York? I thought you grew up in Seattle.”
“My mother loved it here. She always wanted to live in the city.” A pinch of sadness is in my stomach. “My father hated the city. It’s too noisy, too crowded. You have to have a reservation at every restaurant. If you do get a table, the service is terrible… ”
“He sounds like a lot of fun.” The sarcasm in her voice makes me laugh.
“He was the proverbial dark cloud. I never want to be like him.” Exhaling deeply, I look out at a barge slowly passing.
Ruby gives my hand a squeeze. “I told you. You’re nothing like him. I don’t know your mom, but it sounds like you’re much more like her. You like to have fun, and so far, you’ve shown me all the cool parts of the city.”
Standing, I pull her to her feet. Melancholy is not a mood I want to have on this trip. “We’re only getting started.”
By the time we stumble back into the hotel lobby, it’s after five, and we’ve strolled through SoHo, wandered up to Washington Square Park to see the arch, continued northeast to Gramercy Park, past the Flatiron building until we hit Korea Town just before the Empire State building.
“I feel like I’m walking on my ankles.” Ruby is hanging off my arm, and I give her a bump.
“We’ve got to meet Stephen at seven. Take a quick shower and change.”
She does a little whine. “Where are we meeting him and do I have to walk?”
“It’s seven blocks to the Top of the Rock. Since you’re new in town, I thought you’d like to see the view.” Her adorable pouty face makes me grin. “Do this and I’ll order cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery and give you a foot massage after.”
“Deal!”
23
Ruby
My head is spinning from all the sights. I’m not sure I’ve ever been this tired, but my heart is beating out of my chest, and I’m exhilarated.
Taking the white beaded cocktail dress out of the closet, I slip it over my freshly washed body and turn side to side, inspecting myself in the mirror. These shoes aren’t made for walking, but I can make it seven blocks… I hope. I have a black wrap over my shoulders with a huge scarlet bow, and my hair is styled in a low bun with tendrils hanging around my face.
When we meet in the lobby, Remi is dressed in dark pants and a charcoal jacket with a green tie that brings out the green in his eyes. They blaze to life when he sees me, and my stomach flips.
The more time we spend together, talking and getting to know each other, the harder this pull between us is to fight. Once again, he takes my hand, threading our fingers. All day, walking up and down the city streets, he kept my hand firmly in his, my body pulled close against his side. I love it.
The streets are just as busy at night as they are during the day, and I totally get why they call it the city that never sleeps. All day I’ve been trying to be very Carrie Bradshaw, but I’m afraid I’m more Kimmie Schmidt. The city is so huge and alive and full of sights, I’ve been running around with my mouth open, gazing skyward like a stereotypical tourist.
At the Top of the Rock, the view is stunning. I only have a moment to see it before Remi leads me to the bar, where a tall guy with light brown hair and intense blue eyes stands to meet us.