Jimmy and I chatted aimlessly, and before I knew it, we were headed down Fifth Avenue, chatting about the weather and life back home in Scotland. The conversation felt effortless; he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. The air was muggy, with clouds scattered across the sky. I wasn’t sure if it would rain or burst into sunshine at any given moment, but my cute pinafore dress was sticking more firmly to my underarms with each step in this swelteringly warm city.
‘So, Britney. She’s a hard nut to crack,’ Jimmy said, then laughed, acknowledging some passers-by who recognised him in the street.
‘She seems it.’ I grinned. ‘But my old boss was much worse than her. I honestly think Hitler himself would have been terrified of Andrea.’
Jimmy gasped, then laughed. ‘I never understood people like that. Surely, it’s better if everyone gets along, then you can bounce ideas and concerns off one another.’
I agreed, stepping in sync with him between the crowds of tourists.
‘I learned that in the system, you know, at an early age. The foster homes where you weren’t afraid always helped me progress much further at school or with my development.’
I turned to Jimmy, not realising he’d grown up in care. Fuck, my late-night rabbit hole search hadn’t mentioned a single thing about this.
‘I didn’t realise. I’m sorry.’ I studied his face, but he seemed happy, easy-going.
‘It’s all right. I was a crazy kid, so at least some of it was my own fault. I got back to my mom and my sister when I was sixteen and honestly, now, I realise it was the best thing that ever happened. It brought us closer. And I vowed to stay out of trouble and not to let anyone separate me from my sister. Yeah, I cleaned up my act and brought her in when this whole company started.’
My heart felt heavy for all his earlier troubles, and my mind was full of questions. But I knew it was none of my business, unless he chose to share more. Ultimately, his success was even more earned and deserved, given the obstacles he’d had to deal with at such a young age.
‘It’s lovely how close you are,’ I replied. ‘I have that with Zola and Katy.’ A grin immediately appeared on my face, thinking of my two friends.
‘Exactly like I said. When you work with people who have the same mindset, who aren’t afraid to take risks and can air their troubles freely, great things happen. You girls really impressed me with your idea. I read it and, my God, I nearly busted a rib laughing.’ As though to prove it, he started to laugh now, making me laugh too.
‘It wasn’t fun at the time, trust me,’ I admitted.
‘Tell me about it,’ Jimmy said.
Up ahead of us, a spectacular, ostentatious building caught my eye, with its bronze-tinted glass and gold writing – Trump Tower. I giggled, pointing. ‘Is that Donald Trump’s?’
Jimmy turned, noticing the building. ‘Urgh. Sure is. There are condos up top and coffee shops, bistros and food on the lower ground level. The public can go in; it’s a nice enough building. But I don’t set foot in it.’
I peered behind the security guards at the door and noticed an enormous American flag hanging proudly in the lobby.
‘It sounds a bit stupid to say it,’ I admitted, ‘but everything is so Americanised over here.’ It was true – every shop, taxicab and hoarding seemed to declare,You are in America.
‘It’s our stars and stripes, baby, and we’re proud of them!’ Jimmy grinned, looking pleased that I was soaking in the atmosphere.
‘Stars and stripes,’ I repeated, with a snigger.
I glanced back at the giant flag, repeating in my mind:Stars and stripes.
Then I turned to Jimmy with a gasp. ‘I’ve got to get back to the office.’
My cheeks were flushed – maybe from the heat, maybe from the handsome man I had been hanging out with, but I was sure the flush was actually with focus. I had the name in the bag, and I really wanted to present it professionally to Britney and the team.
‘Already? We haven’t been out all that long.’ Jimmy watched me curiously. ‘We are still in time to catch your curfew, Cinderella!’
‘It’s about a twenty-minute walk back,’ I laughed. ‘You carry on without me. But I have to go. I think I’ve figured out a name.’ I clutched his arm excitedly, feeling the warm muscles flex underneath his shirt. ‘Thanks for this,’ I added, then began backtracking towards Times Square, weaving in and out of the crowds of people, trying to keep pace with the speed-walking New Yorkers rather than the ambling tourists.
‘Ella! Hey, Ella!’ Jimmy called out behind me.
I turned to see Jimmy waving at me in bemusement. ‘The walks do good, yeah?’ he called out.
I nodded and grinned. ‘Yeah!’ Then I turned back, hurrying towards Flirtify HQ.
*
As soon as I was back in my office, I hammered out an email to Zola and Katy with a plan. Zola was quick to reply, sending template ideas and creating backgrounds and logos. I laughed as she joked that her day was going about as well as mine with her new team.
