Page 33

Damien
“How did you end up in New York?” I asked her.
“I attended NYU with Matt.”
“For a legal secretary?” My brows furrowed.
“No.” She laughed. “I was a marketing major. Then I got distracted by this lawyer I met, and the law seemed fun. I needed a part-time job while I was in school, so he got me a job as a secretary at the law firm where he worked. Then, we stopped seeing each other after six months, and I was forced to quit. However, since I had some secretarial experience, another firm hired me only if I agreed to get certified as a legal secretary. So, I put NYU on hold, got certified, and never returned for my marketing degree. Stupid on my part. I wouldn’t be in this situation had I just finished school. I would probably be at the top of the marketing chain by now.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“Then maybe that lawyer shouldn’t have distracted you.” I smiled.
“You’re right.” She pointed her fork at me. “He shouldn’t have. He was hot but a total asshole. How about you? Where did you get your fancy degree from?”
“Columbia. My father’s alma mater.”
“You really miss him, don’t you?” She reached over and placed her hand on mine.
“I do. He was my best friend.”
“What about your mom? You haven’t mentioned her.”
“My mother died when I was three years old from pancreatic cancer.”
“Oh no. You poor thing.” She pouted. “I’m sorry.”
“So, it’s always just been my dad and me.”
“He’s watching over you.” She smiled. “Just because they’re not here physically, they’re here spiritually—watching over and guiding you.”
“I don’t believe in that stuff.” I tipped the coffee mug to my lips.
“I went to a psychic after my father died. I was lost, just like you are.”
“I’m not lost, Willa.”
“Yes, you are. Anyway, the psychic told me that my dad was there with me, and he watches over me. You know how I know she was telling the truth?”
“How?”
“She told me he was wearing his favorite pants and shirt. Then she described them down to the black stitching on his shirt sleeve. When I left her shop, I was no longer sad. So, just remember your dad is always here with you.” She smiled.
I leaned back in my chair and stared at her, admiring how disheveled her hair was from last night’s sex and sleep.
“Spend the day with me,” I said.
“Really?” She smiled. “What do you want to do?”
“We’ll go out. Maybe hit up a couple of museums and Central Park for a hot dog.” I smirked.
“A hot dog? Are you sure you can afford it?” A smirk crossed her lips.
“I might have to scrape some change together, but I don’t want you worrying about that.” I winked.
“That sounds fun. I have to go home first.”
“I’ll go shower and get dressed, and we can head to your place.” I stood from my chair, smiling.
As the hot water streamed down my body, I thought about Willa—my wife—a woman I barely knew. I couldn’t get last night out of my head. The way our bodies moved in sync while I was buried deep inside her. The way she moaned my name and the way her fingers dug into my back while her legs were wrapped around my waist. It was all too real for something that wasn’t supposed to mean anything.