Page 80 of Mine

His eyes shone with love as he gazed at me.

“I killed a man, and you still want to be with me?” He smiled. “I’m going to get you home. I have to be back at mine shortly.”

Chapter Thirty

GRETCHEN

The plane touched down on the runway, and I stared out of the window in excitement.

New York City.

Anything is possible!

I leaned back in my chair and waited for the seatbelt sign to come off so I could grab my bag. This past year had been such a whirlwind, I felt like I had aged ten years.

I was finally off to college to pursue my dream of being a therapist.

I glanced around the cabin and noticed most people were business passengers or families on a trip. I felt a pang of loneliness, but I swallowed it down.

Time to be brave, Gretchen.

I took my phone off flight mode and sent my parents a text to let them know I had landed.

This is so exciting!

I had arranged accommodation with the University; it was off-campus but close to Manhattan, so I was ecstatic. Easy access to shopping and heavenly food. I was nervous though, there would be so much going on here and I was just from a small town.

I reached up and grabbed my bag when the sign went off, allowing my body to stretch. I followed the group of impatient passengers from the plane through the jetway and into the airport. It was lively and busy, and my heart lurched with excitement.

MOM:

Good luck, baby! Be safe!

I grinned as I made my way to the baggage claim, spotting my bright pink suitcase.

I heaved it off the conveyor belt and looked for the signs to the taxi line, slipping through the crowd.

I already preferred the buzz of the city—everyone was on their phones and moving quickly, going about their business. I took a free paper from someone handing them out and made my way out of the revolving doors and into the crisp New York air.

I checked my email on my phone for the address. I was concentrating so much I didn’t notice someone hurtling towards me.

“Oh,shit, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to literally fall into you.”

I looked up and saw a handsome guy with a football jersey on, grinning at me, his hand extended towards me.

“I’m Josh.”

I hesitated before I replied. “I don’t talk to strangers,” I mumbled, swiping through my phone as he studied me.

“No, that’s a good point to make, actually. What brings you to New York?”

I found the address and glanced around for a cab. There was a long line of them and a queue of people waiting.

I made my way over to the line with Josh in tow.

He was certainly persistent.

“Look Josh, I mean this in the nicest way. I’m not interested in you or anyone else,” I smiled and moved away from him. “I have a boyfriend.”