Page 8 of City of Sin (Men of Manhattan 1)

My father had cheated on her. When she found out, it had completely broken her. I grew up faster watching the pain in her eye

s. And I told myself I would never let it happen to me. Patrick had seemed like such a nice guy, though. The perfect guy. I felt like we were two parts of a whole. The city had gotten in our way. Or maybe he had expected me to change somehow. But I thought that he loved me the way I was. The way I am.

I didn't want to fall apart because of him. He didn't deserve that. If he didn't need me than I certainly didn't need him. My mom was right. If I left the city now it would be because of him. I ran my thumb along the spot where my engagement ring used to be. I wouldn't give Patrick the satisfaction.

"Does it get easier?" I asked.

"It does. It just takes time."

"More than six months I guess?"

"Maybe a little more than six months. I know I said you were a lot like me, Bee. But you're different in a lot of ways too. You're stronger than me."

"Mom..."

"You are. You're going to do everything you set out to do in New York. And one day you're going to stop thinking about Patrick. And you'll find the person that you're really meant to be with."

"I doubt I'll find him here. Everyone is so unfriendly here. And rude. Everyone just seems grumpy and like they're on a deadline all the time. I think they could all use a few weeks off in the suburbs."

My mom laughed. "You're in the heart of corporate America. Maybe try to find your dream guy in a different part of town than Wall Street?"

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I actually have a date tomorrow."

"You do?"

"Yeah. Marie and Carter set me up on a blind date with a guy they work with."

"That's wonderful."

I sighed. "Maybe. I don't think a guy who works in advertising is a great fit for me."

"But you work in advertising."

"No, I work as a secretary at an ad agency. And all the guys I work with are total pigs."

My mom laughed. "Well, either way, I'm glad to hear you're getting back out there. Wait, doesn't Carter work for an ad agency?"

"Yeah, but he's different. He's Carter. Marie and him are perfect together."

"Maybe this guy tomorrow could be your Carter. They work together and they're friends."

"And Carter is also friends with Patrick. I think I still might come home."

"I'm not stopping you, Bee. Just don't make any rash decisions while you're not thinking straight again."

"I'll try." I pulled my blanket up to my chin again. "Is it really cold there too?"

My mom laughed. "I'm only two and a half hours away from where you are. Of course it's cold here."

"It feels like I'm on another continent."

"Maybe I should come up for a visit. I've never gotten to see your place."

I looked around the empty room. Patrick had taken all the furniture except for the mattress and the small table set in the kitchen. I didn't want my mom to see where I lived. She worried about me enough without seeing my living conditions. "Soon. I've been slammed at work recently."

"Okay. Well, keep me updated if things change. I'd love to come up for the weekend. Just us girls. I can crash on your couch. It'll be fun."

I don't have a couch. "Mhm. That sounds great. I'll keep you posted. I should probably get some sleep. I have a long day tomorrow."

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