Page 117 of Pretty Obsessed

He closed his laptop and patted the spot next to him. “Come tell me about it.”

I took the seat next to him, kicking off my Cons to pull my feet onto the sofa. “Not much to tell yet. Nothing much happens until we get in the studio. Today was interviews and press, the rounds. I want to hear about how your meeting went.”

His smile widened lighting up his face. “My editor loved them. She’s very happy with the direction I’ve settled on. She wants me to send her more.”

“Did you?”

“I need to write them. I gave her everything I had.” His delight stayed.

“Do you have a lot to finish?” I leaned my elbow on the back of the sofa, trying to absorb as much of his happiness as possible.

“I don’t know.” He laughed. “This book is ending up twice as long as I expected. I’m not slacking.”

“I believe you.”

He scooted closer. “What do you want to do with the rest of your day?”

“Do you need to work? I can leave you alone for a while if you need to…”

He shook his head. “I won’t allow it. I’ll work while you’re at the studio tomorrow. Today is about you.” He patted my thigh. “What do you want to do?”

“Do you want to sightsee?”

“What do you mean?” Emory asked.

“Like go do stupid tourist stuff. I’m never here long and I haven’t done any of it. Like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I’ve never even been to MoMA.”

“You’ve never been to MoMA?” he asked, aghast at my declaration.

“Nope. Do you want to go with me?” Iris’ words weighed on me. I wanted to know Emory’s hesitation and the motivation behind it. Maybe he couldn’t articulate it because he didn’t know himself. Would he want to be in public with me?

“Yes, lets. Then we can have dinner someplace after.”

“Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He tilted his head and got up on his knees, pressing in close. “I told you today was about you.”

“Just with photos and being seen together.”

“I don’t think we’ll be all over each other at an art museum. It’s a little different than a club. But you know, if we are more power to you.” He laughed into my mouth, cupping my face to kiss me. “We did lots of stuff together in Japan.”

He had a point, and it eased my fear. “I didn’t know if New York City would be different than Japan. It’s a little different.”

“One picture is enough for people to speculate. What’s the difference between one and a lot?”

He honestly had no idea. “Your naivety is adorable. But if it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me.”

“Good.”

It felt good to be normal with him again like we were in Japan. My feelings swayed and built, backed up behind the dam I’d created, but it wouldn’t hold them forever. I’d have to speak to him. I’d have to try and get to the bottom of what held him back but for now, it felt good to exist in the same space together.

* * *

"I can't believe you've never been here."

MoMA wasn’t packed since it was a weekday afternoon, and we weren't competing with lots of traffic. We'd have entire halls to ourselves for minutes at a time.

"I've been a little busy the last few years." I walked up to a painting, nearly pressing my nose to it. "I love the texture."

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