Time after time

I like me better

Noah POV

The morning after Thanksgiving, Elle and I were in bed in the guest room of Chloe's father's New York penthouse, located just a short walk from Grand Central. Elle and I arrived last night on the train from New Haven after my football game. The view of New York all lit up as we approached by train was magnificent. I often refused to go with my friends to spend a long weekend in New York, preferring to fly to LA to see my girlfriend. But this time she is here with me.

When I opened my eyes this morning, I saw the sun rising over the skyscrapers of New York. All the windows reflecting the sunlight, it was beautiful!

I looked down at the young woman sleeping in my arms. Elle had wrapped herself with my arm like a blanket. I had no desire to disturb her but I was dehydrated from my physical exertion yesterday afternoon. I gave Elle a kiss on the forehead before gently removing myself from around her.

I left the bedroom to find Chloe in the kitchen.
- Good morning, you big loser!" she said to me, raising her cup.
- Good morning, Clo" I replied with a half smile.
- Slept well?
- With Elle? Always!
- Stop with your guy-in-love phrases. You make me nauseous!
- I'm sorry, Clo! Although I don't think it's a big loss.
- I know you didn't like him, Flynn!
- I always wonder what you saw in him, Chloe. He treated you like shit! You deserve to be treated like a lady!
- It's certain that seeing you with Elle, I realize that the relationship was very different between Jason and me." she said to me, looking at her cup.
- Give yourself some time Chloe! Elle and I are here at the end of the week to make you want to forget him. " I said to her with a wink.
- Thanks, Noah! It's nice of you to want to be here.
- I think secretly Elle is glad she doesn't have to go to Chicago to meet Linda's family. I don't think she's ready for that yet!
- I understand, meeting a stepmother when you're not ready is a challenge! What are you going to do today while I go to lunch with my father?
- I bought a city pass for Elle and me. I took a tour of the Empire State building and a cruise to see the Statue of Liberty. Then Christmas shopping in Time Square.
- I envy you! I would have gone with you!
- We're meeting up this evening for a late Thanksgiving dinner." I said to her with a wink.

After coffee and breakfast, Elle and I let Chloe join her father at his office before he flew to Dallas on a business trip. We walked out into the busy streets of Manhattan to get to the Empire State building. It was a few minutes' walk from Chloe's father's apartment and Elle seemed to enjoy this immersion in New York life. As we arrived in front of our destination, she looked towards the top of the skyscraper and said :
- I'm not even able to see the summit from here.

I burst out laughing, looking at her impressed look before taking her hand and dragging her to the top. The view was breathtaking from up there.
- I feel like I have the world at my feet ready to be explored." Elle said to me, looking around.
- You deserve to be able to explore the world, Shelly." I said, hugging her from behind while placing a kiss on the top of her head.

She looked up and gave me a big smile before placing a kiss on my lips then taking out her cell phone to take a photo of the view. I was commandeered with my long arms to take a selfie of the two of us at the top of the Empire State building, telling myself that this photo would soon become my wallpaper.

Leaving the Empire State building, we retraced our steps to take the subway in Grand Centrale towards Battery Park to take our cruise to the Statue of Liberty. We wandered around the park looking at the waterfront and New York Harbor while we waited for the next cruise to depart. It was 56 degrees with bright sunshine, which is relatively warm for the end of November in New York. It was a welcome contrast to the frosty mornings we experienced this week. Probably one last burst of warmth before the cold weather sets in.