“Okay, I’ll stop grilling you.” She took a few steps back and smoothed out the wrinkles on my bedspread, like nothing ever happened. If only I could smooth out the mess of my life so easily.
My feet found the floor and I crossed the room, pulling her into a big hug. “Thanks for listening, even though you made me tell.”
“How else are we gonna be best buds? Dishing about guys brings girls together.” She wriggled away from my embrace.
Maybe Shanda had a point. Was I really going to let Jake stop me from dating? It was high time to forget about Jake, my ex, and focus on pumping Will and Kevin for information on my brother. What better way than a trip to New York City on a Saturday night? Finally, something worth looking forward to.
Chapter 8
“Wow, it reeks in here.” As the car rumbled down the track, Shanda elbowed closer to me in the jam-packed tin can. She pinched her nose with one hand, gripping the subway rail with the other. “Who knew you could cram so many people into one car? I can’t believe we had to take a train for this. I haven’t been on the subway in years.”
“Poor spoiled rich girl.” Kevin slung his arm around her shoulder. “I hope you can survive one night of roughing it on the subway.”
“I doubt it.” She smiled up at him like she’d forgotten all about the twenty-plus people surrounding her.
“Gross.” The car lurched to a stop, and I bounced into Will’s rock-solid chest. Probably a six-pack under there. My mouth dried up. I hoped he didn’t think I was talking about him. Why didn’t Shanda pull me aside and shake some sense into me? This guy was too gorgeous, not to mention way out of my league.
People rushed out as the doors opened. The perfect opportunity to put some much-needed space between me and Will.
The silver peep-toes I thought were oh-so-cute only an hour ago now dug into my feet as I scooched away from Mr. Ken Doll. But the cute shoes perfectly accessorized my flowy purple dress, which matched the three-stone amethyst ring on my left hand. Plus, those extra few inches of height might pay off later.
We piled off the train at the next stop and Shanda yanked me up the cement subway steps. My heels pinched with each step. At the top, I walked out into the most breathtaking scene ever.
Neon lights lit up the darkness. Storefront signs, billboards, marquees, all colored the night sky as bright as a runway. I twirled to take it all in, my skirt ruffling around me. “Times Square, how fabulous is this? Look, it’s Hello Kitty.” I pointed to the person in the life-sized plush costume a few feet ahead.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Will’s eyes flashed at me. Was he talking about me or Times Square? Certainly not Hello Kitty.
Heat rose to my cheeks. I stopped spinning and smoothed down my dress. “Yeah, that Hello Kitty is a real bombshell.”
“Wait till you see the restaurant I picked out.” Kevin sauntered to the curb, his spiky hair blocking the fuzzy feline face.
I pulled my phone out of my clutch and tilted to the left to see around him. “Great, now she’s gone.”
“Shush, you’re ruining this beautiful moment for Lucy.” Shanda looped her arm through mine. “This is one of my favorite spots in the city. I’ll always love Times Square. It’s always bright, always loud, always changing.”
“Always commercial.”
“Bite your tongue.” She kicked Kevin’s shin.
“Hey, I was just kidding.” He hobbled into the crosswalk. “C’mon.”
“Fine.” She huffed, and we followed Kevin across the street, then down the dirty sidewalk.
The whole time I drank in every color, every flash. Until I face-planted into Shanda’s braids.
“The Hard Rock Café?” She halted in front of the glittering two-story guitar, her nose wrinkled like we stood in front of a truck stop or something. She punched his arm, shoving him against Will.
“Give it a chance, I’ve got connections.” Kevin pulled out his cell, speaking in rapid-fire Spanish.
The crowd parted, and a hostess appeared with menus. He dragged Shanda through the maze of tourists milling around the entrance. Will and I pushed people aside to catch up.
The hostess led us up a curvy staircase to a booth by the window. “Your server will be out in a sec. Later, Kev.”
“See you, Carmen.” He waved as she scurried off.
Shanda glared at Carmen’s back. “How did you do that?” Her question held a brittle edge.
“My best friend from Cali’s girl. We all grew up together, yet somehow she ended up in New York, too.” Kevin shrugged and slid into a giant U-shaped booth right in front of the immense bank of windows. He patted the seat beside him. “What’s the big deal? I come here a lot.”
“Whatever it takes to get this view.” She scooted next to him, bouncing on the red leather bench and turning her face to the window. “Times Square is amazing from up here.”
She pressed her nose to the glass. I slid in next to her, gazing out the window. The lights twinkled back at me through the tinted pane.
“Stop that. Who knows what’s on that window.” Kevin tugged her arm until she sat down. “At least wait till after we eat to get all germy.”
“You guys ready to order?” A waiter hovered over our table.
“It’s not rocket science. Everything’s good here, right, Jeremy?” He nodded at the waiter and started us off, then we all gave our orders.
As the waiter stalked off, Kevin put his arm around Shanda and said something in a low tone. She giggled like a middle-schooler.
“Gag me.” I veered away, right into Will’s stare, like a tractor beam reeling me in.
He bent down, his voice low. “I had no idea they’d hit it off so well.”
“Funny how opposites attract.” A shiver crawled down my neck and I backed up. “Where are you from?”
I did not just do that. Now who’s dishing out pickup lines?
His eyes wrinkled in the
