Enchanted

Chapter 5

Seven Years Later

New York City in wintertime is hell on earth.

Christmas being said wintertime, makes it so.

Slowly gripping the heavy glass door to Taylor Realty, I wrap my princess coat around me and fix the muff over my ears. My body is cold, and I can't wait to get home.

A couple is sitting on the benches, huddled together in the cold as they stop with countless shopping bags makes me smile.

I'm not happy that we're all cold and irritable though, and I try not to bump shoulders with anyone. New Yorkers definitely aren't known for their manners, not even the ones in Manhattan.

I didn't listen when I moved up here, I was warned but I didn't listen. The cold is toe curling, as a matter of fact I think it's toe removing. I hurry to get to the parking garage for my car but with the traffic that seems to constantly pack up the road, I know I won't have time to stop for coffee after going for the car.

I entered Sammy's, a local coffeehouse where the warmth immediately inspires me to shed my coat but I know I don't have time. Abby, the barista, knows me. I've ordered from here multiple times, almost too many times.

I look around, noting some regulars like myself. And also seeing some new faces but for a moment my eyes are drawn to a male sitting in the corner, wearing a flannel shirt and his hair grown out and caught with a hair tie above his face. A beard covering most of him while the rest of his face is buried in books. Taking up an entire table.

I wonder if that's what he looks like now. I shiver, pulling myself out of my thoughts.

You've made him proud for sure. I shiver again, trying to stamp it down.

Abby looks up from her large, box cut glasses and reaches for a slice of lemon cake and wraps it neatly as well as calling out for some coffee.

"How's it going today?" She asks smugly, looking at me freezing my ass off.

"Sold four apartments, one condo in Manhattan. And you?"

"Made two hundred in tips before noon." I raise my brows in appreciation and surprise. "Damn. Let me add one."

It's three dollars for coffee and two fifty for the slice of lemon cake, I dropped her a twenty.

"And that's why you're my favorite." She says, slyly handing me the bag and my cup of coffee. I roll my eyes as a joke, "I'll see you in the morning, Abby."

"Your frappe and croissant will be here with me."

I raise my cup, "That's what I like to hear Abby!" She cackled before I left the coffeehouse and once I'm outside I wished I'd stayed in. I hurry quickly down to the parking garage and get my car out.

The coffee and slice of lemon cake are finished before I am even passing my workplace again. It's a simple confusion and mistake that I work for Taylor Realty and my last name is Taylor, it's a common last name just as it's a first name.

I can't remember how many people I've met with my last name in New York since I've been here for five years.

Five years.

I followed his words, even when I felt scared that he'd jump out at me.

I fell in love. Twice. I gave them up to the world, twice. With no regrets. I didn't know if it was a subconscious effort on my part, but I believed with my soul I gave the best I could in both relationships.

Jackson Myers, we dated in senior year and split up before I left for New York and he left for Cambridge, England. It was amicable, that didn't mean I didn't hate it.