“Two,” I narrowed my eyes at him. “And don’t tell anyone any different.”
He tilted his lips to the side, his face becoming more wrinkled. Harvey’s eyes remained youthful with a mischievous gleam. The older he got, the more my heart ached. Every day that passed was another day closer to losing him.
Harvey disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the breakfast nook again, staring at that stupid paper that made me think about my feelings…blah.
Through all the ups and downs in my life, one person stayed the same. My friend Lindsey from college. Ever since I met her freshman year at orientation, we were best friends. She came from the same circle as I did. Rich parents, big house, butlers, maids, valets … oh my! She was able to see right past the superficial front I had to keep up and see the true me. Lindsey saw me because we were the same.
Lindsey spoke her mind, something I desperately needed, and anytime Trent—my criminal ex—did something that seemed off, she told me and him. I shouldn’t have found so much enjoyment whenever they got into a fight, but I did. Lindsey would through her long brown hair in a ponytail, readying herself to throw punches, and I always had to drag her away from him.
Even with the lack of harmony, I didn’t listen to her. And I should have. Maybe if I had listened to others, I wouldn’t be reading my name in the paper along with his. Luckily, my name wasn’t incriminated. It was more like, “Oh my gosh, what is the little rich girl going to do?”
I might not have cared for mine and Trent’s relationship, but I did care about theft. Dating a playboy was one thing; dating a criminal was another thing entirely.
“Melinda?” Harvey set the coffee mug down, and the fresh aroma rose to my nose. A dash of cinnamon and honey. My favorite.
“Thanks, Harvey.” I tucked my left leg up under me and pulled on my sweater sleeves before reaching for the mug. I hated it when it got too hot, and I had to set it down really quick. I’ve spilled too much coffee because of that and burned myself more times than I care to remember. It was about time I learned to take precautions in more areas than one. I sighed.
My cellphone rang from the other room, and Harvey spun on his heel and grabbed it for me. He handed over my smartphone, and Lindsey’s face filled the entire screen. Her big blue eyes were wide, and she had a butterfly on her nose, its blue wings spread wide. It was a picture we took together in the butterfly exhibit last year.
I slid the green icon across the screen and tore a piece of my bagel off with my teeth. “I’m assuming you’re calling because—”
“Because I saw Trent on the front of the newspaper, just like I knew I would one day? Yeah, told you so.”
She loved to say that.
“Want to meet at the usual place in a half-hour?" she asked through a yawn.
I set my coffee cup down with a soft thud and pushed it away. “It’s seven in the morning.”
“Yes, I know, which means you already had your cup, but you’re an addict, and I need my cup and the scoop on your criminal relationship.”
“I had nothing to do with that!” I sputtered, bagel flying from my mouth.
“Right. I’ll be the judge of that. Remi’s. Thirty minutes. Be there.” Lindsey hung up the phone, and I took another bite of my bagel with a ferocious huff. She always had so much sass.
“Sorry, Harvey. I got to go,” I yelled at him from the breakfast room, hoping he could hear me in the kitchen. I ran through the house, climbed up the steps, nearly tripping and breaking my neck. I burst through my room and jumped in the shower, scrubbing my body quickly with my organic sugar scrub.
I could shower forever; the hot water against my back, the steam filling my lungs, the heat on my skin. I loved it. But I couldn't stay. Lindsey hated it when I was late, so I hopped out, dried off really quick, tossed my blonde hair up in a messy bun, and ran to my closet. The classic too early to care look was my signature appearance; yoga pants, check. Baggy sweater, check. Knee−high brown boots, check. Scarf, winter hat, beanie, check, check, check.
I was ready.
I grabbed a pair of black, oversized sunglasses so I wouldn’t get noticed while I was out and about. I wasn’t big news. I was barely a part of the ‘it’ crowd. I just showed up at the right parties with the right people that I didn’t care for, marketed, networked, and bam, the resort empire continued to build. But it wouldn’t take long for the parasites to flock to my home and bombard me with questions about Trent once they got to work.
My winter coat hung to my knees, covering my body so I resembled a marshmallow. I grabbed the railing of the stairs for support, so I didn’t endanger my well−being. I tended to fall on my ass nearly every day. I should come with a warning label. My boots landed on the main floor, safe and sound; it was a miracle.
I cut a right down the hallway, trying to remain quiet as the heel of my boot clicked on the hardwood floors. I twisted the handle of the basement door and hurried down the steps, exiting out the side door that led outside.
The cold air hit my face causing my eyes to water and snow flurried to the ground, adding to the few inches that were already there. I’d say this about New York: it loved to stick its nose where it didn’t belong, but it was beautiful. Three trees that lined that sidewalks were bare, holding snow with their branches.
It was serene. Peaceful.
A complete contradiction to New York City, yet itwasNew York City.
I didn’t live too far from Remi’s café. It was only a few blocks away. I walked by old abandoned buildings in the historical district, marveling at the beauty of the architecture. I slid on ice a few times, busted by ass once, but I made it to the café alive.
It was a flower shop and café, and plants lined the middle of the room. Roses, lilies, sunflowers, tulips. Plants were everywhere, permeating the space with their natural perfume. I sighed with delight, walked to the back, and sat down by a table.
Taking my iPad out of my purse, I hid my face behind the screen and researched some marketing techniques to launch my campaign for Living Luxury Resorts—my father’s resorts that is that I was working as the online marketing manager for. I got lost in my little world, forgetting where I was until Lindsey snatched the screen from my hands. I hadn’t even noticed her sitting down.
