Page 8 of Babydaddy To Go

But the woman is consuming my every thought. Even though our time together was probably twenty minutes tops, I know I want more. I wanteverything.

What kind of guy says that? My kind, I guess. An over the top, driven alpha male. After all, I didn’t get where I am by waiting around and seeing how the land lies. Instead, I took every opportunity and pushed them to the max. And I’m doing that with Alyssa tonight.

My driver pulls up in front of my favorite flower shop and I hop out. Alyssa strikes me as a daisy kind of girl. They’re not in season right now, but fortunately, the shop has some in stock. I buy every stem on display, which makes for an obscenely huge bouquet.

“Lucky lady?” the older Italian man asks. He’s owned this shop since he came here from the old country thirty years ago. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my floral needs.

“I sure hope so,” I quip. “How much do I owe you?”

“On the house,” he says. “You bring me so much business,grazie. Take the daisies, make the girl happy.”

I toss some cash on the counter anyway. He’s always been kind to me. Once, when I was still in middle school, he gave me a bouquet of expensive roses so I could impress my crush. That’s touching, right? I was a thirteen year old boy with acne on my chin and my heart on my sleeve, and the old man took pity on me. The least I can do is give him all the business he deserves now.

“Thanks man,” I call, pushing the door open.

“Good luck!” he waves.

The sleek black car is waiting for me by the curb. Once inside, my driver asks me where to. “West 55th,” I tell him. “I’ll guide you the rest of the way.”

Truthfully, I don’t remember the exact number of Alyssa’s apartment building, but I can recall its exterior. It’s an older building with a sandstone stoop that appears to be well cared for. On either side sit tall, glass-and-metal buildings, like two sentinels with their dwarf neighbor in between. Ah, the effects of gentrification.

“Right here,” I tell grunt as soon as we get close. “I’ll give you a call when I’m ready to head back.” Jumping out, I head to the call box and push the buzzer impatiently.

“Hello?” a shy voice says through the intercom.

“Alyssa? It’s me. Nate.”

I rarely go by Nate, but I think that’s safer than Nathaniel. I’m worried that if I give her my full name, Alyssa will recognize me, and the music will stop. It’s better and easier this way.

“I’ll be right out,” Alyssa responds. A few seconds later, she’s walking out the door wearing a gorgeous black skirt that hugs her curves and a long sleeve sweater that clings to her soft stomach and large breasts. Does the girl have any idea what she’s doing to me? I’ve never seen a woman so beautiful.

“Do I look okay?” Alyssa asks when she catches me staring. She covers her stomach with her arms. “I wasn’t sure where we’d be going…”

“You look fantastic,” I assure her.

She smiles tentatively. “Good. So where are we going? One of the restaurants you promised to introduce me to?”

My heart sinks for a moment until I remember our conversation from earlier. I had admitted to Alyssa that the food is the best part of New York. I wasn’t lying, but I have other plans for us today.

“Actually, I was thinking we could go for a walk first. Is that okay?”

“I’d love to. Do you have a destination in mind?”

I meet her eyes. “I’d like to take you on your first walk through Central Park.”

Alyssa’s face lights up. “Really? That sounds incredible.”

Fall is a great time to visit Central Park. It’s not yet over-crowded with holiday visitors and it’s incredibly beautiful with the layers of green, brown, red, orange, and other autumn colors.

Since we only just met today, I’m worried taking Alyssa’s hand would be a bit forward. Instead, I hold out my arm for her to link hers with mine. She does, and we start the short walk to Central Park. I don’t know how Alyssa managed to get such a great apartment, but I’m glad she did. It’ll come in handy for her touristy adventures.

I watch Alyssa’s eyes as she sees Central Park for the first time. For someone like me, the Park is just a part of the landscape, just as much as the skyscrapers and bridges are. To a newcomer, it’s the most incredible view in the world.

“It’s like… an oasis in a silver desert,” Alyssa says eloquently. “And I live less than five minutes away!”

She drags me down the first path she sees, narrowly avoiding a collision with a bicyclist.

“Be careful,” I warn. “The bikes are more dangerous than cars around here.”