Page 133 of Chasing Infinity

I roll my eyes and sneer at him. “Why does it matter?”

“Just looking out, brother. There are plenty of desperate chicks in this bar I’d be more than happy to set you up with if you need to get your rocks off tonight.”

“I’m good, thanks,” I say briskly, taking a swig of beer out of my mug. A tingle rises on the back of my neck, and I rub at it with my hand. “Now, take your shot.”

“Hey, no need to get your panties in a twist. I’m only looking out for you,” the guy says as he lines up to throw his dart at the board. “You seem to be wound up tight, man. Not to mention, this hot piece just walked in and is eyeballing you as if you’re an angel from heaven. Thought I’d offer before trying to swoop in there myself.”

Despite my insistence, I can’t help but turn around to see who he’s talking about. As my eyes roam the length of the bar, I feel my chest tighten, and my eyes widen as I meet the green-eyed gaze of the girl who haunts my every waking moment. “Parks,” I breathe, unable to believe my eyes. I set my beer on the table and start heading her way, ignoring the jeering jabs of my companions.

Her eyes hold mine as I walk over to her. I don’t waste time and lace her fingers through mine as I bend down and rest my forehead against hers, closing my eyes and relishing in the fact that she’shere. Her familiar scent of warm vanilla and jasmine swirls around me, with hints of lavender ticking the edges. Even after all these years apart it’s still the same. Home.

“Noah,” she whispers, the sound of my name on her lips sending my heart beating into overdrive. It’s a sound I never thought I would hear again. “I can’t believe I found you.” With my forehead still resting against hers, I open my eyes and gaze at her.

“Are you real?”

“Are you?” she teases me back, her green eyes twinkling at me. My heart squeezes, and I pull her closer to me, wrapping my arms around her until she’s resting against my chest. Her arms snake around my middle, and she hugs me back tightly.

“God, Parks. How are you here? How did you know where I was?”

It’s been almost two and a half years since I saw her, but it feels like no time has passed. As I hold her, the hollow part of my soul finally feels complete again, as if she’s sewing me together as we stand here.

Addison tuts her tongue at me and raises an accusatory eyebrow. “Charlie got an unknown phone call last night, and based on the fact that it was my birthday and the panicked look he gave me when he answered, I put two and two together.”

I shake my head. I had called Charlie to tell him about my interview tomorrow and briefly mentioned the hotel I was staying in. Of course, I knew it was Parks’ birthday, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I was hoping Charlie would drop a line on how she was celebrating. “Charlie’s going to get me killed one of these days.” I reach up, run my fingers through strands of her curly honey-brown hair, and tuck a few behind her ear. “Happy Birthday, Parks.”

Her eyes are wide on mine, and then she shivers when my fingers graze the skin of her neck. “Thank you.”

I lean back, my eyes taking in every detail of the woman sitting in front of me. A flood of heat courses through my chest, and my heart flutters. Addison’s wearing a soft blue sweater that comes down to her wrists. The neckline is a low v-shape, dipping dangerously close to her breasts. Her tight denim jeans accentuate the curve of her hips. My mouth goes dry as I take her in. She’s even more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed. I let myself appreciate her for a moment longer before I let reality come crashing back. “You’re not supposed to be here it could be—”

“Don’t even start,” she huffs, cutting me off. “I’m tired of this, Noah. I miss you.”

“Parks, just trust me,” I whisper. “I’m doing what needs to be done here. It might not be what we want, but it’s for the best. Just trust me.”

Addison stares at me, her eyes tracing my face as if she’s looking for something. I expect her to press the issue even further, but she doesn’t. Instead, she purses her pink lips, and I hold myself back from kissing them. She reaches up and softly scratches her fingers through the beard on my cheeks. “Fine, but I’m not leaving yet. I drove four hours just to see you, so let me enjoy tonight with you, please. As a birthday present.”

I take a deep breath as I hold her eyes with mine. Finally, I give in and exhale deeply, admitting defeat. I can’t say no to her when she’s looking at me with those big pleading eyes. “Okay. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?” she asks breathlessly as I take her hand and lead her toward the front door.

“Somewhere that isn’t here.”

We stop at the rack so we can each get our coats and then head out into the wintery New York air. I wrap my arm around her waist and direct us down the sidewalk, away from the noisy bar and toward the hotel I’m staying in right next door.

I lead her through the extravagant lobby and over to the elevators, pressing the call button. The car arrives, and we both step in. I jab my finger into the number for my floor, and the doors close, locking us in.

I’m acutely aware of where Addison is standing on the other end of the car. Glancing at her from the corner of my eye, I repeatedly attempt to convince myself that this is real and not a delusion I’m living out. Her brown hair is curled, falling gently over her shoulders, and I want to run my fingers through it. Her hands are stuffed into her coat pockets, and her eyes trained straight ahead.

It’s as if there’s a magnetic force between us, urging me to step closer to her, and I wonder if she can feel it too. Before I get the chance to approach her, the elevator dings, and I step out into the hallway. Parks follows closely behind me as I lead us to my hotel room.

Before I swipe my key card, I look back at her sheepishly. “I hope this is okay. It was kind of loud down there in the bar. I thought we could come up here and hang out.” A rosy blush forms on Addison’s cheeks, but she nods. “Have you eaten? I could order a pizza or room service or something.”

“Pizza sounds great,” she says, the corners of her lips turning, and I relax a bit.

I open up the door, and we step inside. After removing our coats, I fiddle around on my phone, ordering us some pizza. Then we settle on the bed, each sitting as close to the edge as possible, putting ample distance between us. I glance at her from the corners of my eyes every few minutes, trying to come up with something to say. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. This isParks. For so long, she was the one I could always talk to, but it’s as if the almost three years we’ve been apart have driven a wedge between us.

Guilt forms in my belly, knowing I’m the one who caused this distance.

As if she can sense my discomfort, Addison takes a stab at starting up a conversation. “So, do you like New York?”

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