I laughed. "It could be cozier."
"Mhm. So back to my original question. What else do we need?"
"A rug in the living room might be nice."
"Good thinking."
***
"What about L.A.?" James asked, as we pulled to a stop at an intersection.
"I think I want to stay on the east coast."
"Finally, now we're getting somewhere." He turned to me and smiled. "North or south?"
"North. I think I'd miss the snow."
"Me too." He put his foot on the gas when the light turned green. "But I don't want to go too far north. Tons of snow would be worse than no snow."
"You're probably right." I pulled my legs up onto my seat. New York seemed to be a good fit. Minus the fact that I preferred a back yard with grass and friendly neighbors. But central park had been beautiful. That whole day I had spent with him in New York had been wonderful. "If we moved to New York, where would we live?"
"If we moved to New York, I think I'd like you to give the city a try. Maybe an apartment in Manhattan?"
"Would that be weird? You know so many people in the city. I wouldn't know anyone at all. Tyler said he was going to interview for a position where he'd have to move there, but that wouldn't be until after he graduates. And he might not even get it."
James didn't even seem to react to me mentioning Tyler. Maybe he was starting to accept the fact that he was my friend.
"You'd know me. Penny, if we moved to New York, I'd still be hanging out with you all the time. I prefer spending my time with you."
I could tell that was where he wanted to be. "You said you left New York because you needed a change. If you went back, do you think you'd be unhappy again?" I couldn't help but think about his addiction problem. His brother had been here for less than 24 hours and James had already drank more than I had ever seen him drink. Maybe being around people he used to know wasn't what was best for him. But he had seemed so happy during our day trip to New York. It was his home.
"I'm not sure I could possibly be unhappy as long as I have you." He didn't turn to me and smile. He wasn't saying it to be flirtatious. He said it because he thought it was true. It was similar to what he had said to me after he hadn't spoken to me for weeks. That he couldn't possibly have a good life without me in it.
"I think we should go to New York then."
He laughed. "I thought you didn't like the city?"
"I liked it with you."
He put his hand on the center console and I quickly grabbed it. He ran his thumb across my knuckles. "Is that really what you want to do?"
"NYCU has a beautiful campus. And it's only a 15 minute subway ride from Manhattan."
He turned toward me and smiled. "You've been thinking about this for a while?"
I shrugged. "I did a little research. And wouldn't it be easier to start a company there? With all your connections and stuff?"
"Connections and stuff?" He laughed. "I don't need investors. I can start it anywhere. I was starting it here. But yes, I probably would have had to go to New York every now and then."
"So let's just go permanently."
"Is that really what you want to do?"
"Yes." I squeezed his hand. I wanted to start my life with him.
"You're sure?"
"I'm positive."
