Gerald’s Wish
This is such a stupid ass idea, Kaylee Rose Brittain,I scolded myself while walking up to the tall, nearly-all glass building. Engraved on a golden placard read2301.
“Yep. This seems to be the place.” I swallowed hard. My nerves were shot to hell and I thought for sure my heart was going to explode out of my chest. Why did I even come here?
“Ma’am?” a man’s voice sounded from behind me. I turned to find a balding gentleman, in a fancy black suit with matching shoes and briefcase. “May I?” he asked, gesturing at one of the front doors I was blocking.
“Oh. Gosh. I’m so sorry,” I offered an apologetic smile and stepped out of the way. Well, out of his way and into what seemed like fifty thousand other people’s ways.
No matter which way I moved, I seemed to be in someone’s way. It was the neverending tapdance between strangers and myself. It felt like a spotlight was shining brightly down on me as what seemed like countless people made their way around me. Some looked at me with anger carved on their faces. Others looked at me as though they wished to sayBless her heartto me.
“I can’t--” My words were cut off by the lack of air in my lungs. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.
“Miss, are you okay?” a husky male voice asked to the right of me. A large, but gentle hand took hold of my arm and guided me away from the busy bustle of people.
The large city of New York suddenly felt like it was closing in on me. I fought to get enough air into my lungs, but the deeper the breaths, the more constricted my chest felt. I squatted down with my head between my legs. My legs shook barely holding me upright on the heeled boots I had chosen to wear for the appointment.
“Miss?” the man asked standing in front of me.
Because my head was down, all I could see of him were his pressed navy blue tailored slacks and really expensive brown shoes. I knew they had to be expensive because the smell of leather was overwhelming, and made me queasy.
“I’m going to be sick,” I whispered.
Kaylee Rose, don’t you dare puke on this man’s shoes. Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare!I chanted in my head over and over again.
A strong hand began to rub my back.
“It’s okay,” the husky-soothing voice said softly. For being a stranger, the man had a calming effect on my body. Almost instantly I felt at ease. My tensed muscles began to loosen. The knots in my stomach began to untwist. My constricted chest felt like the weight had finally been lifted off of it.
I took several slow and deep breaths to regain my composure. When I felt under control again, I slowly moved my head from between my knees and looked up to see my hero. I was met with a huge smile and beautiful brown eyes.
My mouth gaped open as I took in the sex god who owned the huge smile and beautiful brown eyes. Every feature of the man was perfect. Chiseled jawline. Not too narrow but not too thick nose. Full lips that screamed to be kissed. He was perfection.
Oh, dear God, I’m dead! My eyes widened and I quickly looked around him to see where I was. It seemed that I was still in New York City but how did I manage to cross paths with NYC’s version ofThor?
“You okay?” the man chuckled.
I turned my attention back to him. He was looking down at me smiling. Probably thinking I was an idiot.
“I feel much better now. Thanks,” I whispered. The wordembarrassmentdidn’t even cover how I felt at the moment.Mortifieddidn’t come close either.
I brought my eyes back down to the pavement then squeezed them shut. Maybe, if I hoped enough, this would all become a dream and the alarm from my cell phone would be waking me up.
“You can’t hide down there forever,” the man chuckled.
He was right. However, maybe, if I ignore him, he’d go away, and then I could pretend that this never happened.
“Your cheeks are red?” the man said softly. “Do you need some water?”
“N-- No, I’m okay. Thank you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I looked up at him briefly and then went back into my childish-imaginary hiding place behind my closed eyelids.
“I don’t know if this will make you feel better, but the Big Apple is known for its craziness so if you’re feeling embarrassed, you shouldn’t be.” He was really working the good samaritan act. “Less than an hour ago, I saw a guy my dad’s age walking down Broadway butt ass naked.”
My eyes opened and I looked up at the man.
