I loved New York with its busy streets and yellow cabs trying their best to weave in and out of traffic. Even the occasional disgruntled New Yorker, who you could hear swearing from down the block. New York was the city, which was alive with dreams from both the elitists to the modest. I was glad I was able to live my life. Now I had Jason and his arm was around my waist as he helped guide me through the crowd.
“God, I love Pastis. I can’t wait to eat my omelet with fine herbs.” I began to rub my belly, anticipating the food. Pastis was a tiny bistro that I loved going to in the meatpacking district.
“I’ve never been,” Jason said, following me through the streets.
“Well, you’ll love it.” I winked.
We finally made it and were seated. The waitress was great. One tiny little detail I didn’t like about her was that she constantly stared at Jason. Jason was polite and smiled at her; he even laughed at her joke. The girl looked about his age, which made my heart wince a little. I felt like an outsider looking in on a relationship that should be, instead of me coveting something which most probably would end. I reached for my tea as Jason finished up his order and I began drinking it. Damn, the thing was too hot. I put it down and began to brood.
“Kass, are you okay?” he asked, taking my hand into his.
“Yeah, just overthinking. I do that sometimes.” I smiled, trying to act normal.
“Thinking about what?” He pulled on my hand, which I tried to release from his grip.
“Just stupid things,” I mumbled.
“So, if it’s stupid, just tell me.”
I finally got my hand out of his and looked down at my tea. I picked up the spoon and began stirring it.
“You look good together,” I murmured.
“What?” he asked, confused at where I was going with this.
“I told you it was stupid. It’s just when I saw you two, I felt like maybe…I felt like I might be too old for you,” I finally stammered out.
“You realize you’re crazy,” he said, shaking his head. He stood up and sat down next to me. He turned my chair to face him. “It’s you I want, not some random chick you force on me. So, stop thinking stupid shit and just be with me today,” he said, soothing my self-inflicted, bruised ego.
We got our meals; I watched as Jason made an effort not to even look at the waitress, which made me laugh. I was being stupid and insecure. I wanted my date with Jason and here I was in the middle of ruining it. Once she finished placing our plates down and asking us if we needed anything, she left.
“I didn’t say it so you would no longer be you. I'm going to be a bit insecure about this, at least for now,” I said honestly. “But it was kind of cute the way you avoided eye contact with her,” I giggled.
“It’s your fault for making me feel uncomfortable,” he admitted.
“Sorry about that.”
Jason asked me what I wanted to do the rest of the day and I said shopping. He took me to Macy’s department store, which was a mistake on two parts. One, I went wild shopping. Hey! I was cooped up in that condo for at least two weeks. I needed a break and apparently a much needed shopping spree. I could tell Jason was reaching his limit and a part of me took pity on him. But I had to admit, a small part of me wanted to continue burning a hole in my account.
As for the second, well, that only happened after I gave in and said we could go home. On the way out, a few women huddled together started to approach me.
“Are you Kassia Preston? The Kassia Preston? The author?” one of the women asked.
I could tell they were rich; their clothes were twice as expensive as what I had bought myself. I nodded, not saying a word. Jason stiffened next to me and took my hand into his, pulling me behind him.
“Oh, my God! I love you. I mean, we all love you. Drake is a dream. How did you come up with someone like him?” She started bombarding me with her questions. She didn’t even give me enough time to answer.
“Obviously, look at the boy toy she has. The woman is a man-eater. No wonder you came up with Drake.” I felt Jason go ridged and I knew this wasn’t going to end well if we didn’t get away from them soon.
“Well, ladies, it was nice meeting you,” I said politely and tugged on Jason’s hand to leave.
“Can we at least get a picture?” one of the other women asked. I swallowed whatever bitter anger I had and nodded.
“Just one,” I said, almost grinding my teeth when I smiled.
“Okay! Come girls, go around her.”
Jason was pushed back to allow space for all four women to surround me. He was then given one of the women’s phones and told to take a picture. I felt badly at how they treated him, like he was some kind of hired help. Once the picture was taken, I started to move, but they wouldn’t have it.