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He laughed. “I don’t think that’s much of a mystery. I’d say the answer to that question is a definite yes.”

"Well, that’s not the answer I was hoping for.” I’d enjoyed shopping for the first couple of hours, but we hadn’t even stopped for lunch yet, and I was growing tired quickly. The girls were both in the fitting rooms at the moment and showed no signs of slowing down.

“That’s actually why I came to find you,” Wes continued. “I was thinking we should make a run for it.”

I perked up a little. “Were you just?”

“Uh-huh. Sawyer could be lost in the men’s department for hours, and I happen to know that a certain library you were interested in visiting isn’t far from here…”

“Really?” I couldn’t keep the smile from my face.

“Yep. And now I’ve seen your eyes light up like that, we haven’t got a choice but to go.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the fitting rooms. “I should probably tell Cress and Anna we’re going.”

Wes grabbed my hand and pulled me in the opposite direction. “And let them rope us into more shopping? I don’t think so. We can text them once we’re out of the store.”

Wes didn’t let go of my hand as we made our way to the exit. As we approach the wide glass doors, Wes broke out into a jog. “We’re almost to freedom,” he cried, and I laughed as he pulled me along.

One of the store employees shot us a hard look as we burst out through the front doors, and I gasped for breath amid my laughter as we finally came to a stop.

“I thought you said they wouldn’t mind if we left?”

Wes lifted one shoulder. “It was far more fun to leave that way.”

I shook my head. “Seriously, do you think the girls will mind?”

“Nah, they’ll just buy more clothes to make themselves feel better.”

“Yeah, probably.” I grinned. “What about Sawyer?”

“I already told him I was done with shopping, and if he sees something I might like, he’s going to get it for me.”

“And he was cool with that?”

“Totally cool. He secretly loves shopping. He almost likes it as much as Cress and Anna.”

“I guess being identical twins means it’s easy to shop for you too.”

He nodded. “One of the benefits of sharing a face.”

Once we’d recovered from our daring escape, we started in the direction of the library. The sidewalk was bustling with people, and I had to keep reminding myself to watch where I was going. It was easy to get distracted as I peered up at the huge buildings that towered high above us. This weekend was the first time I’d encountered skyscrapers in real life before.

“You’re spacing out again,” Wes said.

I smiled and tore my gaze from the sky to look at him. “Just taking it all in. I love how busy it is here. There are so many cars and people. Growing up, I couldn’t walk ten feet through town without seeing someone I knew. Here I feel like you’d be lucky to bump into a single familiar face.”

Wes looked around us like he was seeing the city through my eyes. “I think you’d be surprised. It’s a big city, but the same people always seem to go to the same places, so it can sometimes feel way too small. Still, I can’t really imagine living somewhere you know everyone.”

“I could never imagine living somewhere you didn’t. But, coming here, I get it. There’s a kind of freedom that comes with walking down the street and not knowing a soul you share the sidewalk with.”

“Just being one of the masses,” Wes agreed. “It is kind of freeing.”

“Have you always lived in New York?”

“Always. Though I’ve spent a lot less time here since starting high school. Still, it’s home.”

“And you love it?”