Page 27 of One Last Wish

Chapter Nine

“Does anyone want togo for a quick drink? I’m meeting Ned at Poppy’s,” Daisy asked all of us as we left Bookends early. Alice and Theo nodded. I already had my coat on and started to walk away. “You won’t even come for one drink, Alora?” Daisy called.

“I need to get this stuff in my fridge.” I motioned at the bag of food Evelyn had gotten me. For once, I had an actual excuse not to go.

As I made my way to the first corner, I felt someone trying to take my plastic bag. I turned quickly, ready to slam my fist into the thief. My body jolted at Darce taking the bag from me. “I’ll help you carry that. You live on the other side of the bridge, right?” All I could do was nod. What was he doing? “That’s quite a way to carry some shopping.”

“I’ve done it before.”

“Stop being stubborn and accept my help, Alora.” I was too tired to argue and allowed him to walk with me.

“Where do you live, anyway?” I asked once we’d reached the bridge. Dusk was setting and New York had the usual smell of smoky, mixed kebab meat and exhaust fumes. It had taken me months to work out the smell a few years ago.

“That’s a bit of a personal question, don’t you think?”

“If you live on theManhattanside of New York, it isn't. You’d be walking the opposite way to where you live.”

“You honestly think I could afford to rent somewhere on the Manhattan side with Bookend wages?” Darce made a fair point.

“I live a few blocks from the bridge in Brooklyn.” With me giving my information I’d hoped Darce might share his location with me.

“I can walk with you all the way home, if you want.”

“Why?”

“Not for the reason you’re hoping for.” That smug smile...ugh! I wanted to slap it off his face. “I’m in the mood to be heroic.”

“By carrying my shopping bag? Yeah, you’re such a hero,” I snorted, rolling my eyes at him. “Surely, you have better things to do than walk me home.”

“Actually, I don’t.”

“What are your plans tomorrow?” It suddenly dawned on me, I knew absolutely nothing about him. Well, apart from his name, age, and the fact I wanted to mount him.

“Oddly, I don’t have any. Thanksgiving isn't something I’ve ever celebrated.”

“Are you British? I did pick up a bit of that in your accent.”

“I’m a lot of things, Alora.”

“I have no idea what that is supposed to mean. Why are you so fucking cryptic all the time?”

That small smirk I was growing to adore played on his lips. “You saying that isironic, whenyoudon’t talk or let people in.”

“Fine! I don’t want to know anything about you, anyway.”

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