Page 128 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
“Thanks, you’re really sweet.”
“Well, I mean come on, Rosie. You could at least give me a small smile.”
“I don’t feel like it,” I said sadly. “You know, Delaney, I never realized how much one person needs another until Henry left. People always talked about having another half, but I never really understood it until now.” I took a deep breath and looked at her. “Will the pain ever lessen?”
Delaney gave me a sad smile but nodded her head. “It will, Rosie. I promise. It’s just new right now. It will get better.”
“I hope so. Can I throw my hair up in a wet bun? I don’t feel like doing anything special to it right now.”
“That’s fine, but at least wear a headband.”
“Well, of course.” I lightly smiled.
Delaney picked out a pair of my favorite jeans and a simple black top that fitted my upper half. I matched the top with a black headband that had a little red flower on it, put on some eyeliner—yes, crazy I know—and applied some mascara. That was as good as it would get.
“Might want some deodorant,” Delaney added as she saw me walking toward my door.
“Ugh, stupid arm pits.”
I applied some deodorant and a little bit of perfume—things were getting wild—and grabbed my purse.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Derk met us in the living room with his hands in his pockets.
“Ready,” he asked, pulling Delaney into his side.
“Ready,” I reluctantly replied, knowing already I was the awkward third wheel on this outing. “Where are we off to?”
“How about Shake Shack? Simple but good, and the perfect cure for that broken heart of yours,” Delaney said.
“I could go for that. Are you buying?” I batted my eyelashes, trying to work the whole pitiful card.
“I will.” Derk winked at me. “But that means you get to stop at my buddy’s place real quick to pick up my Ultimate Frisbee set. His place is right next to a Shake Shack.”
“Ugh, twist my arm.”
Being the high rollers we were—not—we filed into a taxi and saddled up next to each other in the back while Derk gave the cabbie our location. I wasn’t paying, so I wasn’t going to complain about taking a cab. Derk had plenty of money, so I wasn’t worried about mooching off him.
The busy streets of New York City passed me by as we drove in and out of traffic-filled roads, coming almost too close to other cars at times. Riding in a taxi in New York City was definitely a driver’s version of Russian roulette. Were you going to make it or take the bullet, aka, crash into the car in front of you, beside you, or even behind you? It was a chance you took every time you stepped into a taxi.
“Thinking about what kind of shake you’re going to get? Strawberry?” Delaney asked me while nudging my shoulder.
“Yeah, something like that,” I responded.
The ride to Derk’s friend’s place was surprisingly uneventful. We pulled up to a building where a doorman stood outside, waiting to welcome new visitors to the building. Fancy.
I was jealous of the location, as it was right next to the theater district where I’d always wanted to live. The history of New York City and the old-time feel always called out to me, especially anything that had to do with Broadway. I was not the least bit good at singing, but place a musical in front of me and I would watch it for days. I had an old soul.
“Wow, I’m jealous of your friend. This place is gorgeous.” I admitted as Derk nodded at the doorman who opened the door for us.
The lobby of the apartment building was beautiful, full of white marble and pillars. It almost seemed too fancy, like a Kardashian should be popping out behind a door any minute.
Derk led us to the elevators where he pushed the button for the tenth floor, the middle of the building. His friend was fancy, but not that fancy since he wasn’t in the penthouse suite, but who was I to judge? I’d used my sock as an eye cover for the past couple of days.
“Nice place,” I said while we traveled up.
“Yeah, rent was a steal. The guy has connections.”
