Page 47 of Manhattan Kiss

“Do you like him?” Avril asks.

I shrug, not wanting to be too open about my attraction to him, but they’re not idiots. The New York pigeons are attracted to Deacon Black. “I haven’t dated much over the last few years. And he seems interesting. Maybe. New York is an experiment. I’ve been doing so many things the same way for such a long time, I just want to try something new.”

“You need to take New York by the balls,” Avril says.

“You should definitely date,” Poppy says. “Just don’t put all your eggs into one basket.”

“Right,” I say. “I’m not dating to marry. I live three thousand miles away.”

“For now,” Poppy says. “You might fall in love with Mr. Room 325 and never go back to England.”

“Right. And sometimes it snows in July.”

“You never know,” Avril says. “My brother fell in love at first sight. He met Sophia through friends and married her the second time he ever met her.”

“Really?” I say. “Sounds…romantic. Are they still together?”

Avril nods. “Sophia’s pregnant again. They’re deliriously happy.”

“That’s nice,” I say. But I’m not planning on falling in love with Deacon Black. I just want to follow wherever it takes me.

“Oh, you should come to Sunday brunch. This Sunday. Are you free?” Poppy asks. “You can meet Worth and Sophia. There’ll be a bunch of us there.”

My heart floats in my chest like it’s a balloon and someone’s let go of the string. Avril and Poppy have been so good to me. But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, being so familiar with them.

“Bring Deacon if you want to,” Poppy says.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” I say, “but thank you. I’ll have a think about coming.”

“So, that’s a yes,” Avril says. “I’m putting you down as a definitely.”

New York is my summer. I’m here to have fun and get the most out of life. “Okay, that would be lovely. Thank you.”

“You can give us an update on Deacon Black.”

I laugh and stand up. Avril and Poppy are my bosses, but they act much more like girlfriends. “Thank you,” I say.

“But seriously, keep us posted,” Avril says. “I want to know what he does that makes those women scream so loud.”

Me too, Avril. Me too.

EIGHTEEN

Deacon

I can’t remember the last time I took a woman on a date. Once Gabby was pregnant, we’d go out to dinner. But other than that, I’m not sure I’ve ever called a restaurant and made plans.

And I didn’t want to just go into Tribeca and have dinner somewhere. Any guy she’s dating might do that. I want Aurora to remember tonight.

Which is why I’m standing in a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Empire State Building. The lights of the city spread out in front of me, dimming out the stars in the black sky above. There are rows of empty tables, covered in white tablecloths and flowers and then a set table for two, at the edge of the restaurant, nearest the view. It feels like a lot. But it also feels just right.

Aurora refused to let me pick her up from her apartment, so I arrived early. I shouldn’t have because now I’m questioning myself. Is booking out the entire rooftop for a first date too much? I just wanted to be away from the hustle and the bustle of the city and focus on her. I wanted it to be just the two of us.

I can’t believe how much brain space she’s occupied since she texted me, agreeing to have dinner with me. She was in my thoughts too much before she said yes, but since Sunday, she’s all I’ve thought about.

The door to the rooftop opens and I feel Aurora before I see her. Is that even possible? Could I sense a woman close to me or is it just a simple case of wishful thinking?

I turn around and it’s her.