Page 32

They tried to shake it off. Though the compliment made their heart race, they shouldn’t get carried away. Rose was probably just trying to be nice. Which was more than Drew deserved after acting like a complete dick the last couple of days.

Rose grabbed a black, shimmering handbag from the key hook by the door and gestured for Drew to come to follow her out.

As they walked down the stairs of the building, It was impossible for Drew to keep their eyes off her. They struggled to breathe as they watched Rose’s ass tense and flex through the thick fabric.

If Drew didn’t know any better, they would have thought that she was intentionally trying to show it off for them. And they loved every second of it.

14

ROSE

From the topof the stairs leading down to the subway, Rose and Drew could hear the sound of a train pulling into the station. Rose picked up the pace, able to run even in heels.

“Be careful.” Drew laughed as they bounded down the steps toward the turnstiles. They both raced to swipe their cards on the scanner before pushing through the metal bars with their hips.

The grimy tile hallway led to another flight of stairs, and the duo were able to sprint onto the platform just as the doors to the subway were sliding open, the familiar announcer’s voice echoing down the tunnel.

Drew jumped onto the train, holding the door behind them. Rose caught her breath as the doors closed, scanning the train for open seats. But it was a Friday night L heading into Manhattan; it was a surprise there was even room for the pair to stand.

Rose looked up at Drew, who was smiling as they struggled to steady their breathing. Their heaving chest drew Rose’s eyes down.

She could hardly look away from Drew’s sharp collarbone, her mind immediately wondering what it would feel like to kiss the soft skin.

“Do you go to Henrietta’s a lot?” Drew asked.

Meeting their gaze, Rose shook her head. “I don’t really go out a lot. Do you?”

Drew shrugged. “I do, but mostly for Diana. She likes to party but never alone.”

Rose nodded, nervously looking down at her outfit.Did I go too slutty? They can see everything.

Of course, a part of her liked knowing that Drew would have such an unrestricted view. She could feel their eyes drifting down her body as they stood on the train, and it sent a jolt of excitement through her each time.

“So, this will be your territory.” Rose gulped. “We seem to meet on your turf a lot.”

A charming smirk took over Drew’s face, making Rose’s cheeks flush. “Well what would you consider your turf?”

Rose’s eyes wandered up toward the ceiling of the train. “Oh, I have no idea. A quiet library maybe?”

Drew nodded. “We’ll go to a library sometime, then.”

“It’s a date.” The words left Rose’s lips before she could realize what she had said. Shannon had broken up with her just a few days earlier, she certainly was not in the place to be on any kind of date.

Raising their eyebrows, Drew searched for a topic change. “Where are you from?”

“Two hours outside the city. It’s a tiny town, not really noteworthy.” Rose watched as their train pulled into the next station. Only a few more stops before they could ditch the sardine-can train and walk to the bar..

The subways were already sweltering despite the weak air conditioning attempting to break through the wall of bodies crowding the car. The fresh summer air would be a welcome reprieve.

Drew nodded. “Really? Where?”

“You won’t know it.” Rose shook her head.

“Try me.”

Rose giggled. “New Winford? It’s kind of near Rosendale if you know that.”

“I know New Winford.” Drew smirked.