The tip of her tongue is captured between her canines as she grins, then says, “Like I said, Ollie, we’ll have to see how the day goes.”
I’m all smiles as she passes me, heading toward the front door. Because all I know for sure is that this girl will go down as my favorite memory of all time.
1 p.m.: Empire State Building
My heart’s beating out of my chest. Like full-on racing. Why did I say yes to this? What am I saying ... I know why, because I was trying to impress her, that’s why. But now I feel like I’m going to pass out.
I hate heights. Always have.
“Do you have to get so close to the edge?” I shoot out, and wave her back from the metal enclosure.
She laughs, taking a step toward the wall. “Come on, ya big chicken. There’s a whole barrier here to stop us from falling over. We’re completely safe.”
Both my hands jump out because I swear I can feel us sway. I let out a shaky breath, standing on what feels like noodle legs.
This is not the way I was hoping to solidify my place in her list lineup. I look like a moron.
She laughs again, walking back over to me, grabbing my hand, and dragging me behind her.
“Wait, wait, wait ... slow down ...” I whisper before I’m planted next to her, my palms sweating.
She doesn’t seem to mind, though, because she doesn’t let go as we look out over the city. If I could stop internally freaking out, I might actually enjoy the skyline.
The city stretches out for days. It’s incredible.
And we’re at the very top, where you can’t hear the horns or all the people.
“God, it’s beautiful.” She sighs. “I totally get how people fall in love with this city.”
I know she’s talking, but I can’t help but stare at her. She really hasn’t changed since college, the only difference over five years is that her wardrobe’s improved. No moreVDpajamas.
“Look at this,” she blurts out, sweeping her arm. “I can’t believe I never visited before today. It’s kind of perfect, though, because what better time to come than when love is in the air.”
She smiles at all the couples snuggling, taking advantage of the discounted day-before prices.
“You sure you wanna leave it?” I joke, but when she looks at me, I think the question might be laced with truthful intent.
I hate not having known her, here, sooner.
“Honestly,” she breathes out. “No ... and yes. I’m excited to be closer to my family, specifically my sister and niece. And it does feel like I got what I needed from this city ... especially now that we’re on this goodbye tour. But ...”
She doesn’t elaborate. Still, I get it. I feel her hand finally slip from mine as she pushes to her tiptoes, her delicate fingers wrapped around the metal enclosure.
It’s cute the way she wants to see it all. I chuckle, looking out at the scenery, only glancing back to notice a few strandsof her hair blowing in the cold wind or the tip of her nose turning pinker.
“I bet you’ve seen the whole city,” she says, looking over at me.
“Yeah. I’m an outside person ... I never want to be home. I like getting into it everywhere I go.”
She grins, repeatingoutside personto herself.
“Would you ever leave New York?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.” And that’s the truth. I’ve never thought far enough away from the dream to consider it. “We’ve been in a pretty committed relationship. It would take something extraordinary to make me consider it.”
Rory and I stand in silence, staring out at the city, surrounded by couples taking kissing selfies while we soak it all in. I feel her middle finger brush mine before it hooks around it.
“Hey,” she says only loud enough for me to hear. “Just in case I forget at the end of the night. I had the best time today. I’m glad we met again.”
