Page 53 of My Rock Star Neighbor
I feel a jolt of electricity when his green eyes meet mine.I blink.Does he feel that too?Can it be this strong and just be me feeling it?
Focus on the investigation.
“I’ll try to meet up with him if he looks like he’s leaving,” I say.“Maybe I’ll get some clues if I engage him in a conversation about his job when he’s in this setting and less wary.”
“Sounds good.”
It feels so easy with Nick here.There are not that many young people.Although most of the older female customers give him an extra glance of appreciation, the focus remains on the miniatures.One young woman, though, has stopped by our table five times and talked to Nick exclusively.She has yet to buy anything but says she is having trouble deciding and then leans in to ask Nick what he thinks.He seems happy to humor her.
But when he does become really famous?He won’t be able to do something like this.Obviously, this isn’t quite the thrilling experience for him that it is for me, but won’t he miss being able to do normal things?
“I’m starving,” Nick says.
“Don’t worry.I have snacks in my bag.”I offer him a choice.He takes the healthier granola bar, while I eat the M&M’s.
“Impressive,” he says.
My phone beeps.I check it and see that it’s Hayden.Hopefully, he liked my article.
“You made a face,” Nick says.“What’s the message?”
My shoulders dip.“Hayden assigned me a story—top ten best things to do in New York City for Valentine’s Day.He wants it on his desk by midnight Sunday.I thought I was done with these types of stories, but I guess I have to prove myself all over again.I hope Felicity comes back next week.”
“We can research that together,” Nick says.
I reach out and squeeze his hand.“That will make it more fun.Are you sure I’m not taking too much of your time?”
“Remember, this helps people think it’s real,” Nick says.
Yes, I need to remember that.This is all a façade.But it’s definitely messing with my head.I keep forgetting this is an act.Hopefully, the friendship part is still real.That can last forever—although if Nick marries someone… Okay, that thought hurts.I need to stop thinking about this.
“We should take the 3:00 bus back.I’m almost out of stock, and I should research this.I’ll text my girlfriends to see if they have any ideas.Lily wants to take Rupert to this super romantic café for Valentine’s Day.And Bella must have some ideas since she writes so many romances.”I text them.
“Ward’s leaving,” Nick says sharply.
I look up quickly.Ward is at the exit, his two Fresh Direct bags now full.That’s a lot of purchases.
“Go,” Nick says.“I’ll pack up what’s left.”
“Thank you.”
I make my way quickly through the collectors crowding the tables, out the front door, and into the lobby of this New Jersey hotel but slow down as I reach Ward so I can make it look casual.
“Already on your way out?”I ask.
“I’ve spent way over my budget.”He lifts his bags.“If only I could resist.”
“What are some of your favorite purchases—my squirrel excluded?”I ask.
He stops by a couch in the lobby, deposits his bags, and takes out a box.“Definitely these metal garbage cans.But I also had to have the whole metal kitchen to make a restaurant.And I commissioned the closed-lid plastic garbage cans Pommer wants to mandate—to prevent rats.They will be perfect for a New York City street scene.”His phone beeps.“My ride is outside.Good luck with your sales.”
“I can’t believe Ella’s Café is closed,” I say.“Lily is going to be so disappointed.”Ella’s Café on the Upper West Side had been billed as one of the top romantic spots in New York City for Valentine’s Day the last three years.It was an entirely pink shop with tiny little tables and either loveseats or two armchairs facing each other for seating.But what had made it really special were the flowers.It smelled of orchids when you walked through.I’d included it on a top ten list for best places for proposals in one of my first articles.
I stare at the pink door with the huge “Closed for Renovations” sign.Above it is a pink awning with the name written in purple lettering.Colorful cloth flowers frame the window.
“Let’s go meet my friends at Banter & Books,” I say.“At least it’s Salad Saturday, so we can get dinner too.”
We walk down West 74th Street past all the picturesque brownstones.One tree still has a witch decoration left over from Halloween.We turn at the corner to walk up Amsterdam Avenue towards Banter & Books.We pass by Levain Bakery, but I don’t dare suggest we buy cookies since our last conversation when Nick turned down the snacks.
