Bill barked again.
I couldn’t help the tilt that reached my lip. This man was bold and flirtatious. I’d never been on the receiving end of something like this. It almost didn’t seem real.
His gaze dropped to my mouth, noticing my favorable reaction. “Perhaps when I see you next—” he paused before continuing, speaking to my dog, “—you can introduce me to your person.”
Bill let out a series of chattering yips.
For the love of—Bill was ‘bro-mancing’ him.
My face flushed further, a feeling of warmth building in my gut. Panic washed over me like ice cubes poured down my back.
I had to turn away. I had to run.
“My name is Nash. I live just down here,” he yelled behind me.
I gave one more glance back, seeing him gesture with hishand at a townhouse across from mine.
Hell, the fuck, no.
Bill let out one more bark as though in affirmation before giving in to my tugging and turning away.
We hustled down the street, drowning in embarrassment. My face burned now, the heat prickling at my cheeks and ears. My stomach churned, a knot tightening with each step.
I wished I could disappear, melt into the pavement, and be swallowed by the earth. Every fiber of my being screamed for escape, for the chance to rewind time and erase the moment.
“Oh shit,oh shit,” I whispered to myself, picking up my pace, fearing I’d pass out and embarrass myself.
We would never see him again. I didn’t care that he lived right across the street. I’d never met my neighbors, and I never would. From time to time, I stared out the window, but the people there were just…things,artificial moving objects without feelings.
I wasn’t required to know them.
Escaping around the corner, I stopped and bent over my knees, taking a few box breaths to slow my heart rate. I let the nausea and dizziness run their course. Fighting it only made things worse.
Bill, trained to do so, nudged my arm with his wet nose to check on me.
“It’s okay, Bill. I know you were excited.”
Bill whined, ending with a few fast licks to my arm.
The queasiness receded, and a thrilling surge of adrenaline took its place. The relief wrapped its arms around me, and though the tingle of fear lingered, a satisfying aftertaste ofsurvival was palpable.
After gathering my resolve, I stood straight. My focus needed to remain on my task. I needed to make a point: recover, and move on.
On wobbly legs, I headed toward Greenwich, and to our next pop-up location. I knew that in a few blocks, the residual shakiness would fade. I just needed to work it out of my system.
I focused on the fact that Greenwich was a dream spot. In the beginning, I’d aimed for more obscure places, in areas that were less ‘big label’. As I grew bolder, though, Cat encouraged me to explore more stylish places.
It felt like forever ago now that I’d chosen that first place. It used to be impossible for me to leave home, let alone walk a block away. I’d chosen a spot nearby so that if I had to run, at least it wouldn’t be far.
Thinking about it was like seeing into a past I didn’t recognize. Even though I still felt trapped, I had to acknowledge I wasn’t the same. I could walk farther from home without fear, an alternate world of possibilities opening around every corner. All I needed was the resolve to make the next turn, one more city block, and a new life could be mine.
I let myself imagine a world where I hadn’t run away from Nash. A world where I stayed and talked to the man. Maybe I let him get me ice for my aching cheek. We would chat for hours, and he would learn my name and where I live.
I imagined the braver version of myself in front of my townhouse, planting flower pots in the sunlight, Nash walking by. I’d wave, and he’d wave back, maybe stop to talk.
Seasons would pass, and our acquaintance would grow into friendship. We’d get to know each other like normal people do. Maybe he’d ask me out one day, and we’d go to a nice dinner. I’d dress up, and he’d treat me to ice cream after—maybe even kiss me goodnight. I would tell him everything about myself without hesitation, and he’d be in awe of me, adore my creativity, and cherish me.
A car alarm went off.
