Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“In a general sense?”
“For a nickname?” I open the bill to see it’s been comped. I’m not going to argue when I’m paying out of tips that have been fronted from the party. But as a server, I’m still going to leave a solid tip for the service and generosity.
Her laughter brings the lightness back to our conversation. Scrunching her nose, she says, “I’m not sure about that one. Aren’t you ready to give up?”
“When it comes to you? Never.” I chuckle. I close the bill with the tip money tucked inside, then stand. I hold my hand out for her.
She slips her hand in mine and stands, coming face-to-face with me. “Well, you might just be stuck with Sosie.”
I tilt her chin up with my finger, our eyes holding contact. “I can think of a million worse things than that.” Not lying one bit. It would be easy to list.
With that smile doing a damn fine job of knocking the breath from my chest, she says, “Do you trust me, Poet?”
My heart may be in danger, but I reply, “With my life.”
CHAPTER 5
KEATS
“Any regrets?” Sosie asks, skipping ahead on the sidewalk and spinning with her arms in the air like a ballerina on stage. She does another twirl before kicking out her leg and holding the pose two counts before lowering her leg back down and waiting for me.
I’m beginning to realize that she doesn’t need a spotlight. She draws attention without even trying.
There was the man who couldn’t stop staring at her when we passed the bodega a few blocks back. A couple of girls our age said she was stunning, then told me not to fuck this up. I said I’d do my best, which made Sosie giggle. And then there was the couple around our grandparents’ age, holding hands as they passed us and said, "We make a handsome couple." I don’t mind being dragged into her spotlight, but it makes me wonder if she always gets this much attention when she goes out. I don’t. Not like this, and usually it’s only from the opposite sex, not everyone I meet or pass on the street.
“Not so far.” When I catch her peeking back like she might be testing me, I ask, “Should I?”
“No.” The melody of her laughter travels farther in the dead of winter when there’s no one else around. “You trust me with your life, so I don’t want to let you down.”
She couldn’t. I don’t need to assure her because I think she knows I’m open to her adventures, but I like that she cares what I think.
We’ve worked our way through the city on foot and caught a train. Two blocks from the station, which I think has landed us in SoHo, she stops and looks up at the tall building. When I arrive by her side, she says, “We’re here.”
“Where are we exactly?” I look up, unfamiliar with the building.
Leaving me in the mystery, she’s already heading for the door. “Come on. I’ll show you.” She punches in a code that releases the lock. I tug the door open and follow her inside.
The lobby is nice, with enough elbow room for a conversation on the couch, inviting dark wood walls, and neutral-hued furniture. It’s way nicer than my place, and it’s the freaking lobby. The elevator is already waiting for us. Not a surprise at this hour.
As soon as the door closes and we’re tucked inside, I lean against the wall opposite her. Her smile has mine appearing in natural reaction, and that glint in her eye tells me she’s up to no good. “You know,” I start. “I barely avoided getting arrested earlier for loitering. I’m not looking to go down for breaking and entering. Want to fill me in?”
She flies across the elevator. Her palms land hard against my chest, and she fists my coat in her hands. Her hair falls back when she looks up. She’s not like any girl I’ve ever known. Oozing confidence like she has it to spare, Sosie takes no prisoners when she’s excited about something. All seems to be her driving force. I don’t mind going along for the ride. Someone has to keep us out of trouble. Who knew that would be me?
She laughs, letting the good times roll. “No one is getting arrested. My dad owns an apartment here.”
People with money are so strange. “Do I want to know why your dad specifically owns the apartment and not your mom?” Why would anyone need an apartment when they live thirty-something blocks—oh shit. She’s nodding as if she can tell it’s dawned on me.
Raising her eyebrows, she nods. “Probably not.” The door opens on the tenth floor, and we feed into the hallway. I only see three doors, and she’s heading to the farthest from where we arrived. Punching in another code, she shoulders the door open and walks in like she personally owns the joint. I suppose she does in a sense.