Nothing stopping you now.
Haven followed Gavin across the street, passing the massive statue and into the park. The two of them strolled side by side in peaceful silence as Haven admired the trees towering over them like oversize green umbrellas. Sunlight spilled through the branches in spots, patches of light scattered along the path of cool shade, warmth forcing its way into the shadows. Haven reveled in it, stepping into the glow when they came upon it and glancing up into the sky with a smile on her lips.
Heaven, she thought. It felt like Heaven streaming down on her.
“So what do you want to do?” Gavin asked.
Haven’s brow furrowed. “Aren’t we doing it?”
“Well, we can just walk around if you want, but there’s more to do here.”
“Really? I thought it was just, you know . . .” She motioned all around them. “. . . trees.”
He laughed. “Not at all. Come on, I’ll show you.”
* * *
Statues, bridges, trails, wildlife . . . hours passed as Haven took it all in. They watched a puppet show and she swung on the playground swings before exploring the zoo and feeding the ducks on the lake. Gavin taught her how to play checkers and blatantly let her win, even buying her ice cream when they passed a vendor. There was music and games, laughter and excitement. She hummed along to the musical tower clock as they watched people toss a Frisbee and plant new trees.
Everywhere she looked there was something else, something new, something more, and little by little a part of her guard crumbled. The hurt she carried with her took a hit, hope and happiness resonating inside her again. The strong-willed girl, restrained and suspicious, didn’t even notice as her vulnerability showed, bits of the real Haven Antonelli shining through for once.
“Let’s get some food,” Gavin suggested. It was growing late, already close to dusk. “We haven’t eaten all day.”
“I had ice cream, remember?”
He laughed. “That doesn’t count. I know a nice place. We can grab some dinner and get you home, since you have school in the morning.”
“And you have work,” she said. “Do you have to get up super early?”
“No, I get up when I get up,” he said. “I make my own hours. Remember?”
“That’s right. Is your dad in construction, too?”
“Sort of,” he said, frowning as he looked at his watch. “My father’s got his hands in a bit of everything.”
They headed out of Central Park, catching the subway back to Twenty-third Street. Gavin sat beside her on the bench this time because there were far fewer riders at that hour than in the afternoon. They got off at their destination, walking about a block to a small restaurant. Long windows overtook the front of the brick building, and Haven could see quite a few tables inside.
o;What?”
“Go out with me.”
The color drained from her face as those words washed through her. “What?”
“Tomorrow. Go out with me.”
“I can’t,” she said, shaking her head. “I have plans.”
At the library, she thought, but she refrained from saying it out loud.
“Then the next day,” he said. “Go out with me on Sunday.”
33
Haven fidgeted, peeking through the thick white curtains that hung in her living room. It was early afternoon on Sunday, and the Manhattan neighborhood was as hectic as ever. Tourists wandered the streets, mingling with the locals and the busy street vendors. Usually watching the flurry of activity put Haven at ease, but today every movement just made her more edgy.
“Relax,” Kelsey said, plopping down on Haven’s couch with the remote control. “You’re stressing for no reason.”
Haven shook her head. “He’ll be here soon.”