Page 328 of The First Time
Chapter Twenty-Two
Downtown is quiet. Still. It's funny how quickly the streets go from bustling to empty.
The yellow fluorescent lights pop against the dark sky. The city is beautiful. I never tire of it.
I never tire of tilting my head upwards, gawking at the skyscrapers like a tourist.
They're tall. Powerful. Unmoving.
Shit. I'm comparing buildings to my fake fiancé.
He's taking over too many of my thoughts. Not just the ones about sex. But the ones about long walks and shared dessert and forever.
I hug my purse to my shoulder as I step into the building.
The security guard nods with familiarity. I'm not sure how he recognizes me—I've only been here a few times—but he does.
I nod back. I need all the pleasantries I can get right now.
I'm not sure what I'm going to say to Blake.
I know what I want, but it's not on the table.
Is it really possible to find a compromise with something this black and white?
I don't know.
But I'm not giving up on that possibility.
I step into the shiny silver elevator and push thepenthousebutton.
It flashes red. Damn key card. I fish it from my wallet, swipe it, and press the button again. Green.
His office needs a key for access.
It's so Blake.
My reflection stares back at me. It's just like last time. She looks tired. Scared. In over her head.
But last time worked out well. I got everything I wanted.
Maybe I can do the same here.
Ding.The doors slide open. I step into the lobby.
Once again, the floor is empty. Dark. Still. The light of the city flows in through the windows. The big, grey clouds feel close. Like I could touch them if I opened the window.
I go straight to Blake's office. Grab the handle. Try to turn.
It's locked.
He's here alone and the door is locked.
A panel forms in my mind. A cartoon version of Blake pulling open his chest to show off the walls around his heart. There are a dozen different locks. Each with a different key.
It could make for an interesting story. A girl on a quest, trying to figure out how to tear down each of those walls.
I steel myself as I knock. I'm not sure how this is going to go. Only that it's going to be difficult.
