Chapter 14
The snow fell lightlyas they walked towards Rockefeller Centre.
“Are we going skating again?” Penny asked, a rush in her veins at the prospect.
“Not this time. In fact I’m going to need you to put this on.” He pulled out a silk handkerchief. Penny looked at him puzzled. “Trust me.”
She turned and allowed him to blindfold her. The next thing she felt was him leading her, and the distinct sensation of rising. They had to be on an elevator.
The chime as they reached their floor confirmed it. Then she was walking again, gripping Mike’s hand to keep her wits about her.
“Now,” she felt the knot behind her head loosen. “Look.”
Stunning.
Penny’s lips parted as she took the sight before her, all of New York laid at her feet, glowing bright.
Central Park looked like a frozen tundra from there, the white of the snow almost overpowering the dark of the trees. She felt as if she were in another world, a happier place with happier people, at least for that moment.
Then she realised they were alone. At the Top of the Rock observation tower.
“Where is everyone?”
“It’s just us.”
“How –”
“I have my ways.”
She smiled, trying to contain the emotions welling inside her. She’d never had anyone do something this amazing for her before. She looked out over Manhattan and then back to Mike, as she tried to decipher what she was feeling.
“Mike, you’ve made this trip amazing. I’ve seen and done more now than any other before. Now this. I can’t begin to thank you.”
He took hold of her hand. “Say you’ll come back.”
“I don’t even want to go.” The worlds struck her as she uttered them, the first time she’d said them allowed, admitted what she felt.
Mike squeezed her hand gently, pulling her closer. “Penny?”
“Looking out here, seeing everything … it’s like there’s a world I could be part of. A world I can’t find back in London Everything I had, except for my work, I lost three years ago. I’ve been holding on to those memories for so long, that I stopped making new ones.”
She smiled and turned to him.
“You helped me make new ones, so I guess you did keep you word. This really was a Christmas to remember.”
“So don’t go.”
“I have to.”
“No, you don’t,” he breathed deeply. “Kate would love nothing more than to have you move here. So would I. You said it yourself, there is nothing but your work in London. But you could also work here. You would have family and friends here.” He stepped closer. “You can have the life you want, Penny. All you have to do is be open to it.”
His proximity was doing things to her heart, making it race, and her stomach flutter. She listened to his words, each one delving deeper and deeper inside her, to the place that wanted all he was offering.
As his face closed the space between them, her eyes focused only on his lips, she knew if she did this there was no going back. If she kissed him, she couldn’t go back to nothing. Couldn’t have all of this just be memories. She’d want more.
Then their lips met.
Cautious at first, Mike allowed her to decide whether she wanted him to continue. When she responded, her fingers curling into the chest of his jacket, he was filled with hope that spilled over.
