Page 39 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

Her laughter feels better than anytime I won an award. She says, “Your reputation is safe and will remain intact. I promise. I’m like Gringotts vault.”

Confusion wrinkles my brow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Gringotts.” Her eyes go wide. “FromHarry Potter.”

I tighten my lips and shake my head. “Never read the books.”

A gasp echoes around us before her hand covers her mouth. She comes closer and plucks lint from my lapel. Her eyes remain focused on my chest when she whispers, “There’s an indescribable feeling of magic, like anything is possible. Have you ever felt that?”

“I have.” With you.What am I saying?

Her gaze slides up to mine, her chest noticeably rising and falling as her hand flattens against my jacket. “You have?”

What am I doing?

Stars still shine in her eyes as if I’m one of the good guys.

A heaviness starts pressing on my chest as silence overcomes the fun, and the hour demands my attention. I do the impossible and take a step back, away from her, and clear my throat. “Sure. I saw the movies.”

“Oh,” she replies, her hand falling to her side. “Thanks for the soup.”

“No problem.”

“And for delivering the key.”

“My pleasure.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I keep my eyes on her and say four words that feel more like a beginning than a goodbye, “I’ll see you tonight?”

Leaning against the wall again, she crosses her arms over her chest and smiles. “See you tonight.”

12

Rad

Clearheaded.

Reasonable.

Straightforward.

I sigh as I think back to the old me—the old me that I’m starting to miss. This dazed and confused version of Rad Wellington that comes out every time I see Tealey is starting to bother me. Why? Mostly because it’s silly. There’s nothing between us. We’re the samefriendsthat we were last week.

So what if she’s moving in? It’s temporary.

When did temporary turn into opportunity? Fuck, drop it.

Needing my ego kicked in the ass, I text the man for the job.

I drive deeper into Brooklyn to a neighborhood that hasn’t been reinvented with prices to match the rest of the borough—a hidden gem. The homes have been here for generations and still have chipped paint, rusty awnings, and people parked on their porches who wave at strangers.

Jackson, Cade, and I would make the long run from my building,literally run, and stop here to recover before headingback to the city. I should start running that route again. With the spring breeze blowing in through the open window, it feels good out here, like my lungs are free to breathe.

I park where the street dead-ends and the East River is the only thing separating me from Manhattan, then get out and wait. Cade parks next to me and gets out. Tugging at his belt, he looks around. “We haven’t been here in a few years. Good to see some things never change.” When he shakes my hand, he asks, “What gets you out of the city, Wellington?”

The question feels loaded, although I know it’s not. While I’m sure he’s curious about my last-minute text to meet by the water, there’s no way he knows what’s on my mind—that she’s on my mind, and I’m worried about that.

“I checked in on Tealey. I needed to get her a key and wanted to see how she’s doing,” I say as naturally as I can.

“Cammie told me Tealey’s staying with you until she finds a new place. Could take a while in this market.”

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