Page 14 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

Keeping some distance between us, I rest my forearms on the railing, giving her room for the thoughts hijacking her attention. She leans far enough over the railing like she just might be able to touch the ocean. Or at least one of the boats in the harbor.

“No. It was going to cruise around the island.” The distant break in the waves keeps my eyes captive until I look farther out to sea, my gaze reaching the cruise ships on the horizon.

“Where are you from?”

I turn to her. “Why so serious?” I’m given a shrug, so I ask, “Should we get to know each other, Natalie?”

She laughs softly, turning her gaze my way. “We should, Nick.” The K crashes on the end of her tongue as if she’s just given in but wants to make sure I’m aware.

I’m aware of her.All of her.She’s wholly entertaining but has so many layers left to unfold. “I’m from LA, but don’t hold it against me.” I chuckle, inwardly shaking my head at myself. I’m making a fool of myself.Why the hell did I say that? God, I used to have game. Where has it gone? Lost after years of having my nose buried in books.

Angling my way, she says, “You know, I’ve been thinking.”

“That can be dangerous.”

A soft smile returns. “Especially when you’re tipsy.” She was definitely drunk, but I’ll give her tipsy now as she begins to sober. “I don’t think we properly introduced ourselves.”

“No?”

Shaking her head, she purses her lips. “What do you say we start over?”

“I like our beginning.”

This time, she laughs, and when the joy reaches her eyes, the blue sparkles like the ocean in the afternoon. The wind stirs her blond hair around her shoulders, and the layers seem to play favorites with where they fall. Her tan is deep enough to have settled into her skin long before her vacation. The delicate clang of the bracelets around her wrists reminds me of the wind chimes at my parents' beach house.

Natalie is captivating—fine features highlighting a heart-shaped face. I journey from her eyes and then take a quick slide down the gentle slope of her nose anchored by full pink lips. Being in LA, I know women who’ve paid a lot of money for the natural beauty that Natalie possesses.

A desire to kiss her surges through me, so I turn away, distracting myself with live music drifting from somewhere down below to quell the craving. It doesn’t work. I still regret not kissing her earlier. Don’t think about it. Just talk. “And you?”

“I think we were born enemies. I’m a New Yorker through and through.”

“Eh, there’s no East Coast versus West Coast rivalry here. New York has seasons. We have sunshine. You have the Yankees. We have Hollywood. Pros and cons to both. I guess it’s just what you’re used to.”

“I love the beaches on the Pacific, but we have the Hamptons.”

“You have Katz’s Delicatessen, but we have In-N-Out Burgers. It all evens out.”

She scoots her foot over and taps the side of my shoe. “I’ve never had In-N-Out. Am I missing out?”

“Yeah, you’re definitely missing out.”

Sipping her water, she glances toward the setting sun before lowering the bottle and saying, “Maybe the next time I’m in LA, you can take me.”

“It’s a date.” She’s shaking her head before the words leave my mouth.

“Actually, I’ve sworn off dating, so let’s call it a meetup.”

“You’re very specific with your no’s. No dating? No ideas. No?—”

“No sex.” She’s not snippy about it but more matter-of-fact. Then something comes over her, and she reaches over, resting her hand on mine like we’re old friends. “Sorry if that came out wrong. That was more of a reminder for myself.”

Catching her hand before it retreats, I hold it between us. “Am I that tempting?” I lean over and whisper, “C’mon, you can tell me the truth.”

Her head sways to the side and then returns to its rightful place, her eyes never leaving mine. “Honestly?”

“Honesty is always the best policy.” Even the soon-to-be lawyer in me doesn’t believe that everything is so black and white. There’s a lot of gray area to rule out before picking a team. When she gently returns her hand to the railing and her gaze to the ocean, the missing connection is felt under my skin. She carries a world of emotions in the depths of her blue eyes, and I hate that the option to read them has been taken away.

She nods.

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