Chapter 1
'Will I ever be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.' Carrie Bradshaw
It was Saturday night in the big apple, I still felt like a tourist in the big city, even though I had been here now for just over two years. After leaving England I was adamant not to become ‘An American’. Don’t get me wrong, I love Americans. I wouldn’t have moved here if I didn’t but I still loved my old British heritage - My cups of tea, full English breakfasts, crisp sandwiches and as my friends liked to remind me - My ability to say sorry on a daily basis.
I had done well in my two years here. Mum and dad had helped me out initially with rent and for my first year and half here I lived like a student again. Sharing accommodation and a bathroom in a shitty area on the outskirts of the City. It was hard work but I worked my arse off at my job and managed to get better pay and a more senior role. I have lived in my new apartment for almost two months now and love it, it’s small, compact and cosy. It has a sofa and TV, a kitchen island that separates the lounge part from the kitchen itself but it really isn’t separate at all. I have one small bedroom that can only just fit my double bed in with a bedside table and it has a cupboard built in that houses all my clothes.
The block itself’s nice and well looked after. It costs me a fortune and I can only afford it due to the small fund I inherited when I lost my grandad five months ago. He was an amazing man, worked his way up to be a top businessman from nothing. He had left school aged 12 – The usual story of a rogue boy becoming a rich genius. Pity his son (my dad) didn’t inherit any of his good traits.
I was almost ready when my intercom rang. I was half-dressed and knew it would be Jane. We were heading out to a new bar that had just opened. There was always somewhere hip and swanky opening in New York and Jane loved to keep up with the trends.
I had worked with Jane for over a year now and she was one of my favourite Americans. She was born and raised in New York, came from a family with money but never let it go to her head. She slogged hard to get where she was at work and gained a lot of respect for it.
“Are you ready to Parttttty?” she shouted as she entered my apartment, she was waving a bottle of Moet in her hand and looked amazing as always.
“No pre-drinks we said.” Every time she did this I ended up wasted. “You will be carrying me out of here if I have more than one of them,” I laughed, as I continued to dress.
She got two glasses out of the cupboard and popped the cork. “Come on England, don’t be a pussy.”
“Just a small one,” I warned.
“A small fucking large one,” she muttered, as she poured. She was that friend that encourages you to do bad things but always has your back.
After the bottle of champagne was finished we headed out into the humid air and enjoyed the light breeze that had started to build. Summer was approaching and the warm evenings made for a lovely night out on the rooftop bars of New York. Jane hailed a cab - I still hadn’t figured the knack for that!
“We’re meeting Lisa and Emma,” she announced as we climbed out of the cab at the bar. It was busier in this part of town and cabs were pulling up to let people out. The atmosphere was buzzing, as people got ready to start their night on the town.
Lisa and Emma were Janes friends but I loved them like my own, nights out with them were always so much fun. Emma was an air hostess and flew all over the world, it was rare she was on home turf for our nights out. Lisa worked in the best boutique I had ever seen. I loved visiting her shop but never had enough money to buy any of her vintage clothes.
As we entered the loud, busy bar, I could just make out the girls stood by a table at the back. The music was booming and the sound of chatter could be heard like a low drone in the background. Emma was talking to a man as Lisa came rushing to greet us.
“Hey am I glad you’re here,” she said as she hugged me and Jane into her. “Emma is trying to find a man, she’s on the hunt,” she added with an eye roll.
“Well,” I said laughing. “I love being her wing woman so step aside.” The Moet had already gone to my head and I knew I was in for a fun night, whether I remembered it or not!
The bar was drab so after a few drinks, we decided to head to an old favourite. It was a dark rustic bar that was humming with wall street guys. We were on the hunt for a wealthy man for Emma so what better place!
The music was quieter than the last bar and the men wore mostly suits. As I looked around I was glad I had put the smarter of my outfits on. Most of the women around us looked like they were dressed to meet their next husband - Who would most likely be wealthy, up and coming, Financial Advisors or Investment Bankers.
I knew I shouldn’t mix drinks as it always ended up with me being carried home, regretting it and having beer fear for about a week after. What the hell though! I was loaded up and fancied another Long Island Iced Tea.
When I stumbled back from the bar with my drink I could see the girls with a couple of guys, one of them, in particular, caught my eye. He was handsome ……. Really handsome.
He had a clean-shaven, strong jaw and neatly gelled short hair. There was something about him - He oozed power, and he was very intimidating even though he was smiling. His suit looked expensive and it was paired with a crisp white shirt, that looked like it was made for a model shoot rather than a bar night out. The sleeves of his shirt were neatly folded up to his elbows and his tie had been loosened around his neck, giving him that sexy ‘I’ve had a long day look’.
His friend wasn’t as powerful-looking, he was also smart but looked softer and less arrogant. As he talked he made hand gestures over the table, which made him appear more open and approachable.
The powerful guy smiled at me as I got to the table and I had to force my eyes from him. When they wandered back of their own accord, I noticed his eyes were dark and mysterious. His lips were kissable and they continued even when he wasn’t smiling to give the illusion he still was (Not like in a joker weird kind of way though – It was cute).
I took another drink from my Long Island Iced Tea and stirred the straw around, I was trying my hardest to distract myself from the pull he had on me. Then I felt his gaze back on me and when my eyes lifted they met with his. He quickly looked down and laughed to himself, he seemed to find me funny!
“Hi,” I mouthed awkwardly. He nodded without saying anything and turned to talk to his friend.
