Page 43 of Man Seeking Woman

"Well, next time don't ask then. We weren't talking to you anyway."

Cocking his head, he grunted. "Whatever." Picking up two boxes, he quietly left and headed back downstairs to put the boxes into the car August had sent.

He had offered to send movers, but I refused to take all of his help. It didn't matter to me how much money he had, I wasn't suddenly an invalid who couldn't do anything for themselves.

Kayla and I busted out laughing. "That's one way to get rid of him, I'll make a note of that." Licking my finger, I jotted down the mental note in the air.

"El, I think we're done here," she said, walking in a large circle as she followed the seams of the apartment.

Standing up, I took a final walk around, double checking to make sure I hadn't left anything behind. Opening up my closet, I ran my hand across the top of the shelf, and felt a crumpled piece of paper.

Unfolding the paper, I read the messy words and smiled. It was the address for Julliard I had written the same day I moved to New York City.

The taxi was driving past it so I scrambled to write it all down. The letters were all jittery and squiggly from trying to pen them in the back of a cab that kept stopping and going without notice.

Smiling to myself, I actually felt a little lighter. I was making a huge change in my life and I couldn't help but feel that this was what I needed. Looking at the address now, I felt different, as if this step was the catalyst to making my dreams come true.

I wasn't sure how or why, because in reality, this change was about to create a whole new set of challenges.

But I was at ease with the idea of change, well aware that I was ready regardless. I had been living this way for far too long, it was time.

Stuffing the paper into my pocket, I followed Kayla into the hall and closed the door, locking it behind me. Plopping the keys into an envelope, I slid them under Frank's door before we walked outside, and said goodbye.

A sliver of sadness snuck into my heart making me feel a little down about leaving. The apartment wasn't nice, it wasn't in some fancy highrise, but it had been mine for the last year and a half.

Itwasmy place, and deep down I was going to miss it. Even with the cracked ceiling tiles and broken porcelain sink, despite the old windows that didn't insulate well in the cold weather, and walls that were so thin I could hear the guy fart in the apartment two floors down; none of that mattered right then, because I was leaving the only home I had known in this city.

Some people move regularly, sometimes even once a year. They can't sit in one place for too long or they begin to feel like a rat in a cage. I was the rat who chose to stay inside their cage, only venturing out when it was necessary. For me, this was home number two, and the emotional baggage I felt was alright to carry.

Blowing a kiss to the dirty, red brick man I had come to know and love, maybe even a little unhealthy at times, I climbed into the cab and laid my cheek against the glass. I was going to miss my apartment, but I was definitely excited for the challenge ahead.

"Holy shit, El, here we are." Kay tipped her head back, looking straight up to try and see the top of the building. "My father wanted me to get a place here, but there hasn't been any openings in ages."

"Your father wouldn't know good real estate if he shit it out." Justin laughed to himself, oblivious that neither of us were laughing with him.

"Kay—"

Holding up a finger she hushed me silent. "Shh, let's not ruin this moment. Just embrace the beauty, Ella, embrace it."

"I hope you realize this equal ground thing is only going to go so far."

The car pulled into the garage, driving to a set of glass doors. I could see August leaning against the wall beside the doors, with a smooth grin on his face. As the car slowed to a stop, August walked to the driver and leaned in, whispering to him.

I had no idea what he was saying, but the two men began to laugh as August slapped his shoulder and took a step back.

The driver got out and opened my door, stepping to the side. August gave me a big smile, holding out his hand for me to take. Hesitant, Kay gave me a light shove, whispering in my ear to stop being a bitch and just let him help me out.

Alright, alright, I'm going.

Gently I set my hand in his, completely aware of how much larger his hand was than mine. I felt so small, like he could cruch my hand into a million pieces if he decided to really squeeze.

Pulling me up out of the car, August wrapped my waist with his arm, pressing me into his chest. His lips grazed my ear as he spoke so only I could hear him. "Let's make this as believable as possible."

Make this believable? What does he expect me to do?

August's eyes lit like fire as he cupped my cheek with his palm. I was holding my breath, afraid to breathe, afraid to move, unsure what was happening. His hand was warm on my skin, his lips hovered dangerously close to mine, causing my mouth to tingle.

Digging the tips of his fingers into the back of my neck, my head fell back as he pressed his lips onto mine. Slipping his hand into my hair, he tugged my head back lightly, deepening the kiss.

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