Page 54 of The Better Choice

“Do you want to do something crazy?”

“You meanbesidesrunning out on my wedding? I’m kind of crazy-ed out for the day.” She gestured toward her wedding dress, now brown on the bottom from the dirty streets.

“I know, I know. Just bear with me, okay? I promise it’ll be worth it.”

She looked down at her dress, sighing dramatically. “Okay, fine, but if we get weird looks, I blame you.”

“Why would we get weird looks?” he asked, pulling her across the street as the traffic broke.

“Because we look like we’ve just gotten married,” she said.

“So, let’s pretend we have.” He smiled back at her. “Might be fun, huh?”

She gawked at him. “Might be insane.”

He took the necklace from her hand, stopping on the crowded sidewalk to place it around her neck. She ran her fingers along the jewels as he moved back in front of her, his eyes locked with hers. “I don’t care what people think if you don’t,” he whispered, placing a finger under her chin.

“I don’t,” she agreed, her lips quivering.

“Okay, then.”

He turned back around, continuing to lead her across busy streets and down crowded sidewalks. She followed along, only halfway paying attention to where they were headed. All she could think about was his hand in hers. When they reached their destination, the Empire State Building, she had to stop herself from letting out a laugh. “Are you serious?” she asked, balking at the suggestion.

“Have you done anything remotely touristy since you moved here?” he challenged.

“No,” she admitted.

“Exactly. Every New Yorker should go here at least once. It’s a rite of passage.”

She smiled as he led her into the building. Truth be told, the Empire State Building was always a place she’d dreamed of going, but she’d been too intimidated by the long lines and crowds around the entrance. It was obvious Finn had been there before as he purchased their tickets and pulled her into the line that had begun to dwindle. A few of the people waiting smiled at them dotingly as if they were puppies or newborns rather than full-grown adults.

Blythe smiled back, keeping one hand on her mother’s necklace around her neck. It felt good to have it back and amazing to be wearing it again. Oh, how she wished her mother could see her then.

As they reached the eighty-sixth floor, Blythe stepped out onto the observation deck, her jaw dropping. It was a place that was familiar to her only because of the many movies and TV shows she’d seen it on, and yet it felt like she’d been there not so long ago.

In every direction, the beautiful lights of the city could be seen, far above the hustle and bustle of the streets. Finn followed her lead, walking behind her as she took in the view. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It’s…amazing,” she said, feeling completely awestruck. The view gave a whole new meaning to breathtaking.

“There is so much of New York that I want to show you,” he said, leaning down so his mouth was near her ear as they both stared into their city’s views.

“I’d like that,” she whispered.

He nodded. “See, right down there?” He pointed to the right and down. “Straight down over there is where I met you for the first time.”

She smiled, though she thought it was strange that he would bring it up again after the revelation of the afternoon.

“Right over there,” he pointed to a different spot, “is where I ran into you when you were getting coffee that day.” Asher was all over their memories, and he didn’t seem to be able to see that. She closed her eyes, trying to take in what he was saying, but suddenly feeling like she was going to break down. This had been a bad idea.

He spun her around so that she was facing him, lowering his head so she had to meet his eyes. “I know what you’re thinking, Blythe. I know everything makes you think of him.”

She bit her lip, her eyes watering as she tried to shake her head. It was no use. She couldn’t deny it. Her heart was broken despite the fact that she’d wanted to choose Finn at the wedding, despite the fact that Asher was a criminal and a liar. She’d loved him, and that didn’t just go away.

“But I also know that you have feelings for me. I don’t need you to admit it yet,” he said when she tried to interrupt. “But I know it’s true. I want to show you that this city can be ours. Or yours. Everything that reminds you of him, we can make new memories to replace the old. Better ones. Don’t let him take anything else from you, Blythe.”

“It’s not that simple,” she whined.

“It is. Itisthat simple. I’m going to help you…if you’ll let me.” He brushed a piece of hair from her face, tucking it safely behind her ear. “The choice is yours. New York is a big place. We can find somewhere Asher-free, or we can make new memories and let you forget about him.”

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