“So what do you know about him other than that?”
“Honestly not much. To be honest we really only talk about me,” I answer as I contemplate her question.
“Don’t you find that strange?” Her eyes are inquisitive as she speaks.
“Not really.”
“Listen, just be careful.”
“I know,” I say while biting down on my lower lip.
“So, dinner?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you planning on wearing that prairie dress?” She smirks.
Asshole.
“Actually, yes, smart ass.”
“Ha, poor man. You look like a dirty farm girl. He’s fucked.”
“So what are you doing later?” I ask.
“I think I might meet Gabe for a cocktail.” I smile at the reference of Gabe. He is Jules’s friend. They grew up in the city together. I think they should date.
“That should be fun.” I grin. He is smoking hot.
“Shut it.” She laughs out. She’s cute when she is trying to be mad.
Our meal continues in the usual fashion. Lots of jokes, a few drinks, and I find myself slightly tipsy at 3:00 pm on Monday afternoon.
Me: I can’t wait to see you. I think of you constantly. Do you think of me?
The moment I push send, I start to come out of my drunken haze and fear sets in. Oh my God, did I really just text him that?
Ryder: You occupy my thoughts all the time.
Relief floods me, pathetic relief. I’m a forgone conclusion; I’m obsessed.
Me: So are we still on for tonight?
Ryder: Do you want to see me tonight?
Me: Yes.
Ryder: Then you get me.
Ryder: 5 pm meet me at the Bryant Park Hotel. We can make a plan from there.
Excitement, trepidation, and fear flow through me. Seeing Ryder again is almost too much to handle.
I decide to walk to Bryant Park as opposed to going home and then heading back out. The nervous energy within me needs an outlet. Lucky for me, the weather is beautiful. The city is vibrant and alive. Tourists flood the streets looking to be part of something special, to experience New York City at its finest.
As I walk down 5th Avenue, I appreciate the views all around me, the immaculate windows, the timeless architecture, the trees peeking out from Central Park. I pass the Plaza Hotel and smile to myself as I remember the first time I laid eyes on Ryder. What should have been an awful night was full of surprises and new beginnings. I remember how he smiled and slight creases formed around his blue eyes. I remember the way his voice dipped low with hunger. I remember all the words he said to me that night and how they resonated truth.
AS USUAL, I’M punctual, but it seems Ryder is early. I catch a glimpse of him as I walk toward the hotel. His impeccably sculpted body is leaning against the glass wall. His foot is propped behind him, resting on the metal beam supporting the entrance to the building. His coppery brown hair reflects the sunlight, and his eyes are shut as if he is deep in thought. He flutters them open. Our eyes lock as his mouth turns up with a wicked smile hinting of carnal sin. As I approach him, his hands pull me in, and he engulfs me in his embrace. He smells of crisp leather and cinnamon spice. If I could live in his arms, I would. I never want to leave the comfort I feel here.
“Ava,” his words caress me.
“Ryder,” I breathe through an unsuppressed smile.
He pulls away but still holds my hand. His fingers gently rub circles over my tiny knuckles.
“So sushi? You like sushi, right?” Ryder asks. I nod. “Great.”
I take a second to appreciate the view before me. My eyes start at his shoes and work their way up. Ryder is wearing a pair of camel colored leather drivers, dark distressed jeans, a grey fitted dress shirt, and a textured navy herringbone sport coat with a stone grey handkerchief peeking out. He resembles a sexy professor. If he wore glasses, I would die and go to schoolgirl heaven.
“Like what you see?” He smirks.
I smile at him with a coy look, helping fuel the fantasy playing out in my head.
“Let’s head to the bar at Koi and grab a cocktail before dinner,” he says.
Still holding my hand, he pulls me into the Bryant Park Hotel. We walk through the simplistic lobby only decorated with blood red furniture and black terra cotta floors. Further into the building, we see the sign for the restaurant.
We walk through the entrance and are instantly transported to the Far East. Along the walls are plush greenery and bamboo trees. Lights twinkle from above, as tea lights are strategically placed to add to the ambience. The floors are a dark wood. It conjures up feelings of inhabiting some exotic locale.
Ryder places his hand on my back as he escorts me to a booth positioned directly across from the red bar that illuminates the room. I nervously sit down crossing my ankles as I feel him gently place his hand on my knee. A waitress approaches us and smiles brightly. She is noticeably paying closer attention to Ryder than to me. I laugh to myself. Apparently I’m not the only one digging the hot professor look.