An envelope was placed beside a single rose in a vase on the cart, and I smiled at the endearing gesture. I hadn’t had a rose given to me in years. I opened the envelope and inside was a note from Chris.
Yay! My mind screamed, but I bit my lip to keep an actual squeal from coming out. Thank goodness I had thrown a pair of sneakers into my suitcase at the last minute. I glanced at the clock. 8:15am. I had a little over an hour to eat and get ready to meet Chris. Suddenly, my stomach turned into a fluttery kaleidoscope of butterflies.
I wolfed down my breakfast even though I felt too jittery to feel hunger pangs. But, if we were going to be doing a lot of walking I’d need to eat something to keep my energy level up. I called the front desk, and Juanita knocked on the door within minutes.
“Thanks again,” I told her. “Breakfast was delicious.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy your day,” she said slyly, with a knowing look.
I nodded, unable to hide my giddiness. “I’m sure I will.” Having finally given into the feelings I couldn’t deny, I felt a newfound freedom in expressing them.
I quickly showered, chose a cute outfit that paired nicely with my sneakers, and headed down the stairs to meet Chris. Typing it as I walked, I texted Alexis to tell her I hoped she’d have a great day at volleyball camp and that I’d see her tomorrow. She responded with a smiley. I knew she was probably having a blast and barely missed me.
Chris was speaking to the doorman when I walked up to them. Turning his head to look at me, his smile widened when he saw me.
“Hi,” I said shyly.
“Hi.” He stared at me a moment with a handsome grin on his face. “You’re early. I was just chatting with Terrence. He’s the best doorman this side of Manhattan. Terrence, this is Salem Honeycutt.”
“Very nice to meet you, madam,” Terrence said with a small bow.
I looked up at the tall and lanky African-American man. “It’s nice to meet you too, Terrence.”
“I sure do love your southern accent, Miss Honeycutt.” His wide smile showcased the tiny gap between his two front teeth.
“Thank you,” I pursed my lips self-consciously. “I feel like such a hillbilly here in New York.”
“I didn’t know hillbillies were so beautiful,” he schmoozed.
Feeling bashful, I glanced at the floor. “Aw, thanks Terrence. You really know how to make a woman feel good about herself.”
“I hope you and Mr. King have a fantastic day.”
Chris spoke up, seeming antsy all of a sudden. “Thanks, Terrence. And tell the Mrs. that I’d love one of her world famous chocolate pies while I’m in town.”
“I sure will!” Terrence flashed his gap-toothed grin again and I couldn’t help but smile. He had such a radiant personality. No wonder Chris called him the best.
Chris held his elbow out to escort me. “He’s right, you know,” he said, glancing shyly up into the sky.
“About what?” I asked as we walked down the steps toward the sidewalk.
“You being beautiful.” Chris looked at me, piercing me with those dark, brown eyes of his. For a moment, I felt the history between us as if time had stood still.
I glanced away, embarrassed and yet, flattered. Honestly, I didn’t know how to feel. In some ways, we were starting over, meeting each other again after fourteen years. It felt like we were meeting each other for the first time. Then again, the bond we shared back then seemed to be picking up right where we left off, so in some ways I felt like I’d known him forever.
I couldn’t help but lose myself in his gaze. Every time I looked at him, I lost my way. I lost everything I knew about myself… about us. Things had changed. We had changed. It was scary and exhilarating in the same breath.
Snapping himself out of his own trance, he stammered, “Uh… where to first?”
I shook my head of its dizzying spell and said, “I don’t know. You’re the expert, city boy. You tell me.”
Chris thought for a minute. “Let’s walk around Central Park for a little while. Have you ever ridden on a vintage carousel?”
“Vintage?” I asked. I’d been on a carousel, but I didn’t think any of them were vintage.
“Yep. Built in 1908. Oldest in the country, I think. Anyway, it’s fun! Come on!”
We walked toward Central Park, strolling quietly along the paths. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. The trees swayed in the gentle breeze. Runners jogged past us with their dogs trotting along beside them. We could still hear the sounds of the busy streets of New York in the background, but something about the Park seemed so tranquil. And walking along beside of Chris made it that much more peaceful.