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Two hours later, they stepped off the train and into Grand Central. Jess paused when they hit the main terminal, eyes glazing over the turquoise ceiling covered in gold constellations. The station buzzed as people swerved in and out, dancing around each other as they entered and exited trains. The constant movement made her feel frazzled, and on instinct, she grabbed Kevin’s hand.
He squeezed. “Are you all good?”
“Overwhelmed,” she breathed. “But—a good overwhelmed.”
“I’ve got you, sweetheart, don’t worry.”
She looked over at him, his eyes also on the ceiling, duffel bag slung across his shoulder. The motion made her realize a very, very big problem. “Kevin, you didn’t tell me we’re staying the night! I don’t have any clothes!”
He smirked. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan.”
“And what’s that?”
“You’ll see. We’re staying at a hotel near the station, but we won’t have time to check in. Our first thing closes soon, so we need to go straight there.”
He tugged her arm, keeping his grip firm around her hand as they weaved through the station and out onto 42nd Street. A melody of honking horns filled the air as flashes of yellow cabs zipped by, the setting sun casting glimmering hues on street signs and sleek buildings.
Jess kept close to Kevin, their hands still clasped, as he followed him block after block down Park Avenue. He turned right when they hit Madison Square Park, and after another few blocks, be paused in front of a distressed wood door, a rugged brown awning overhead that read Thrifty City.
Before she could comment he pulled her inside, down a flight of stairs, and through an archway that opened up to reveal a massive basement. The space looked like it spanned an entire city block and was lined with racks upon racks of clothes.
She stood there flabbergasted as Kevin unzipped his bag and handed her a second folded duffel. “Everything here is five dollars or less. The place closes at nine, so that gives us two hours to find you—”
“The perfect pair of jeans,” she finished for him.
“Exactly. And a few other things, you know, to replace those high school tank tops you say you don’t care for. Maybe you’ll even find something fun to wear to a concert.”
She looked up at him. He remembered. Even if it was a small comment about a tank top she didn’t care about, he remembered it and found a place where she could do a complete wardrobe overhaul. One that even fit her budget. “Th-thank you.”
He smiled that perfect golden boy smile. Under the flickering fluorescent basement lights, he still glowed. He walked backward as he made his way down the racks. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s find you a pair of jeans that perfectly accentuate that amazing round ass I now know you have.”
She rolled her eyes and followed him farther into the thrift shop, then they got to digging.
They rode the elevator up the 18th floor of their hotel, duffel bags stuffed with Jess’s new wardrobe. They’d found soft cotton T-shirts and comfy oversized sweaters and dressier tank tops and linen shorts that actually made her feel like an adult—a far cry from the distressed cut-offs of her high school days. She even bought new chunky sandals and Boston clogs that made her squeal with delight, a small pleather crescent bag, and of course, the perfect pair of jeans. Light wash, no rips, straight leg that cut right below her ankle, stretchy enough around her curves, the denim at her hips no longer cutting into her skin.
The entire haul made her feel giddy. “I forgot how much of a rush shopping can be.”
The elevator dinged as the door opened. She followed Kevin down the hall.
“And all for under fifty bucks! It’s like your dream come true.”
“You have no idea.”
Kevin tapped the key on the door of their room, and it finally dawned on her. Panic rose in her chest. “Wait, we’re sharing a room?”
“Figured paying for two wasn’t in the budget?”
Damn, he’s right, she thought to herself. If he’d gotten two rooms she would have definitely given him shit for being so frivolous. But…still.
She followed him in, then exhaled. The space was small, but it was big enough to squeeze in two queen-sized beds.
“You got two beds.”
Kevin placed his hands on his hips, looking vexed—but in his usual, playful way. “Did you really think I wouldn’t? You’re so adamant!”
She smirked. “Come on, admit it, sleeping in your own bed is really nice.”
He grumbled something she couldn’t quite catch as he plopped his duffel bag on the bed and unzipped. “The concert is at ten. I was thinking we could grab a dollar slice somewhere on the way?”
