“Alex…” he gushes, sounding more relieved than mad. I’m almost positive I hear a smile enter his voice. “Hold on a second while I walk outside.”
Oh shoot! Shoot, shoot, shoot.
I plaster my back against the slim post, hoping to blend in with the pole.Please don’t be at the bar. I stand up straighter just as the side door opens, and Elijah strides out onto the busy sidewalk with the phone to his ear.
Thankfully, he looks the other way and doesn’t notice me standing like a creep on the corner. The foot traffic is heavy, nothing out of the ordinary for the streets of New York. I crouch tighter against the lamp post, flipping my hat back around and pulling the brim down over my face, effectively looking even more like a creep.
“How are you, Alex? I’m so happy you called.”
I spy him from my post on the sidewalk. Someone walks by, thumbs bouncing across their screen in the midst of a text. They see Elijah, greet him with a quick fist bump, and continue walking, never once slowing their stride or missing a beat with their texting. Gotta hand it to these New Yorkers, they’re pros at multitasking.
Keeping my voice low, I begin speaking. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t ignoring you. I was just… well, I kind of… just…”
“Alex…”
Mmm… the way he says my name. I wish I could record it. His voice is deep and disarming. It relaxes me better than any anti-anxiety drug on the market.
“It’s alright,” he coos, making me instantly regret ignoring him this whole week.
With the phone to his ear, he leans against the black bricks of his building, kicking a foot back to rest against the solid surface, and stares out at the street, watching traffic zip by.
My words move just as fast as the traffic. “I have a modeling shoot tomorrow morning in Danbury, Connecticut. I should be finished by one o’clock. There’s an Italian eatery nearby, bordering the New York State line. Julio’s Pub. Excellent food. Can I take you to lunch?”
I inhale, as he exhales, nervously awaiting his answer. His foot slides down from the bricks, and he shuffles around some pebbles. For fuck’s sake, it’s making me more nervous.
“That depends,” he finally speaks, and I deflate, wincing at his words. Horns scream in the background in typical NYC fashion, but I couldn’t care less.
“On what?” I bite down on my lip, preparing to walk my sorry ass home.
“On you coming over here and kissing me.”
A giant smile spreads across his handsome face as he pockets his phone and turns his head in my direction. Heat soars across my already flushed cheeks as I step away from the lamp post and out from the crowd.
I’m officially a stalker.
“How the fuck did you see me?” I laugh, walking over to him, embarrassed by my Sherlock Holmes stunt—and not-so-glamorous appearance.
“Well, I happen to have an eye for fashion.” He’s flirting with me, pulling my sweaty body closer to him. “In particular, thiscertain sexy high-fashion model.” He drags his thumb across my blushing cheek. “He’s hard to miss.”
And then he leans in and kisses me, brushing those fabulous full lips across mine.
“I’ve missed you.” He breathes the words across my mouth. “And yes, I would love to have lunch with you at Julio’s Pub tomorrow at one o’clock.”
I let out the biggest sigh of relief. And then, to my utter surprise, I reach for his hand.
14
ELIJAH
“So, tell me about these,”I inquire, turning Alex’s hand over and grazing my fingertips across the lone puzzle piece inked on the inside of his wrist. “The artwork is stunning.”
The waiter tops off our glasses of wine, leaving the bottle within easy reach.
“It’s nothing really. Just a puzzle piece. Do you like puzzles?” He waggles those perfectly sculpted eyebrows, his flirtation easy and warm.
I chuckle. “Not really. My daughter is more of a puzzle person. Gabriel too. But this one…” I glance down again. “This one intrigues me.”
Tattoos were never my thing. I’ve never had the urge to get one, never even considered it. But this particular piece draws me in. There’s so much detail woven within those carefully drawn lines. I can’t imagine how long it must have taken to design—let alone tattoo.
