Page 5 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

Although she appears to blush, she pulls her hand and then points at the tire. “We have a party to get to, but we have a flat, and the rental company won’t be here for an hour.”

“That’s quite the dilemma. Maybe we can help,” Harrison says.

It’s funny how he was in such a hurry not three minutes prior. He moves in to take a closer look. Harrison Decker was born with two trust funds and a gaggle of nannies. He didn’t exactly grow up knowing his way around mechanics. I can’t judge him too harshly since my background is similar, but I can still laugh at him because at least I know how to change a tire.

He leans back, glancing up at the brunette. She’s pretty but doesn’t hold a candle to the beauty beside me. Speaking of . . . I walk around the Vespa and lean down. Squeezing the tire, I listen. My eyes meet Harrison’s, who’s stepped off to the side with his new friend. His lack of loyalty isn’t a surprise when there’s a pretty woman around.

Her friend called her Natalie, but since we haven’t been introduced, I just say, “You have a slow leak.”

“Announce it to the world, why don’t ya.” She can’t keep a straight face and cracks up. “Sorry, I had to.”

I chuckle because of how much she makes herself laugh. She still waves it off. “Sorry, as you were saying.” Another giggle escapes, though.

“The company shouldn’t have put you on this scooter without checking it properly.”

I look to my side to find those blue eyes staring into mine. “So we’re stuck?” She grabs the tire, pumps it a few times like that might bring it back to life, and then drags her hand over a few treads. Leaning awkwardly on it, she adds, “Together?”

Is she flirting? It’s not the approach I’d take, but it’s curiously entertaining. “Afraid so.” We both stand back up.

“You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t bite.”

Something tells me she might by how her gaze darts down my body and back up again.

“I didn’t mean I was actually afraid.”

“I know. I was just teasing.” If I didn’t know she was drunk, I’d assume she was odd. She definitely has a quirky sense of humor. Maybe I do too because when she rubs her temple, she smears black grime along the side of her face, and I have to stop myself from laughing.

I reach forward, determined to help her out, but a spark fires in her eyes, and she says, “I knew we should have rented the golf cart. Tatum insisted on the Vespa, but I don’t trust anything with less than four wheels.”

“Wise.” That response brings her earlier smile to the surface. “I heard your friend call you?—”

“The party,” her friend cuts in, wearing an expression scrunched with concern. “We’re not going to make the party if we don’t leave now.”

“We can stay?—”

“That’s it!” Harrison snaps his fingers. “You can stay and help with the tire, and I can give Tatum a ride. Problem solved.”

“A ride? Yes, that’s great,” Tatum says without missing a beat, already heading for the scooter with him in tow. He pats my shoulder on the way, the message already received loud and clear.Guess I’m staying.

“You don’t mind, right?” Tatum asks as she slips on a helmet and swings her leg over the back of the Vespa. I’m about to answer, but the beauty next to me replies instead. “What about our girls’ trip?”

“It’s going swimmingly, don’t you think?” Tatum points at Harrison and silently mouths, “He’s so hot.” For Harrison’s ears, she adds, “We’re turning lemons into lemonade.”

The beauty next to me exhales and then frowns, her eyes reflecting her change in mood from the fun-loving girl I met inside. The sun shines in her eyes just before she rolls them. “Swell. All we need is vodka.”

“Thought you didn’t know much about alcohol?”

Rocking her hand back and forth, she laughs. “I’m no expert, but I’ve had a few lemon drops in my life.” Looking right at me, she asks, “Have you had one before?”

“No.”

“You should.” It’s as if she’s forgotten about her friend altogether. “They’re really good.”

“Maybe we can get one together.”

“Maybe.” Her grin is sure and quite stunning. But that grease . . . I should really tell her about the smudge on her face, but it’s sort of cute how unsuspecting she is of the mess.

Harrison backs out of the parking space and stops in front of me. “I’ll see you back in the room.”

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