Page 67 of One More Kiss
My speed picked up as I heard her sneakers hitting the floor. “Please, just leave me alone,” I cried out and hoped she got the message. Sabrina was not known for following instructions. She had a mind of her own and never really let anyone interfere with her plans.
“Bella!” she called out again.
The door man looked up from his perch on the other side of the main glass door and quickly pulled the door open for me. “Miss Bella, is everything alright?” A look of concern clouded his sweet face and I knew he was worried about me. He always took extra care to look out for me. When I moved into this building, he became almost like a grandfather for me. He had strong opinions about my friends and made sure to keep an extra eye on Sabrina. There was something about her he just didn’t trust. When Axel came into my life, this sweet old man pulled me to the side and told me he was keeping both eyes on the musician who was smitten with me. My lips wanted to pull into a smile at the memory but I just didn’t have the willpower left to smile. “Miss Bella,” my friendly guardian said as he placed a tender hand on my arm, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Mr. Cal?” I shakily replied. Quickly shielding my eyes from the bright sun before I was blinded, I wished I had grabbed my sunglasses before I rushed out of my apartment. There was no way I was going back up there while Sabrina was on my heels. I would just have to make do.
“Is everything alright? You look so upset.”
“I just need some space,” I informed him while I wiped away the tears that were still falling from my eyes.
“I am pretty sure no one is at the center this early,” he said with a wink and a tip of his hat.
“What would I do without you?” I asked as I rushed past him.
“Just feel better, Miss Bella.”
“Thank you.” The words feel from my lips as my foot hit the final step and I merged into the busy New York City foot traffic.
