Ask Jake (Book One of the Whisper Series)

Thirty: The City that Never Sleeps

Being back in New York makes me feel intoxicated. The rush of the people running around, pushing into each other and racing passed, makes me realize that I miss the hustle and bustle. The most surprising fact is that the diesel fuel from the transit buses, smells good to me.

I am home.

The driver has my bags and leads to me to his Towncar. It's only four o'clock and I am dying to walk around the city.

"To your hotel, Miss Kelly?" he asks. Angela is giving me the four star treatment. Whisper is paying for my hotel bill while I find a new place to live. My mom and Greg packed up my little apartment, knowing I never wanted to see it again. I am so thankful that they did that for me; I couldn't step foot in the place after all that happened there.

My hotel suit is a thousand times better than my apartment ever was. It's a modern suite, with a separate bedroom, living room, kitchenette, and a huge bathroom. There is a giant spa tub that I cannot wait to try out.

Unpacking my clothes, I make sure I have everything ready for tomorrow. I am meeting Angela and Adam at four in the morning at Whisper. We will go to the news studio from there.

At six o'clock, I am out of things to do and need to be a part of the city again. I need Guinevere's. Angela did not limit me to favorite restaurants, just my favorite people.

Spring's fresh scent still lingers in the air. I've missed the seasons that are not as noticeable by the beach. As I pass under a large dogwood tree, the wind blows. Flower peddles swarm around me in a beautiful pedal storm. They brush my face, and float across my fingertips. I think I love New York in every season.

Guinevere's is relatively empty. I slip into small booth in the corner and order some food and a water. Two of the bartenders wave to me from across the room. I smile and nod at them.

A familiar looking figure takes a seat on the other side of the restaurant. His back is to me, but I know its Adam. My heart starts racing. Angela's voice breaks through my memory, "No Adam, no Roxy, until tomorrow."

Quickly, I come to the conclusion Angela does not, actually, run my life. I rise from my table and start my advance toward Adam, not allowing my nerves to halt me.

With each step my heart thumps harder. My cheeks feel stained from grinning. I plan to sit opposite him and catch his reaction.

About ten feet from my ultimate surprise on Adam, another woman enters my vision, and plants to kiss on Adam's cheek.

I stop dead in my tracks and lean back on my heels.

Adam accepts her sideways hug and grabs her hand that she places on his back. His smile is evident from the side of his face.

My stomach drops. Blood leaves my face.

I'm too late.

I spin around and head back to my table. Slinking all the way into the booth, I pray that Adam does not notice me.

Spying on them feels wrong, but I can't seem to stop myself. She is tall, lean and beautiful. She is dressed semi-professionally, but it obvious she's unbuttoned a few buttons to show off her busting cleavage.

She exudes sex.

I'd nickname her sex, I think, glaring at her. Yeah, she is Sex.

Sex keeps rubbing Adam's hand, and his arm. They have a familiar way about them that makes me feel sick. Finally, like the nail in the coffin, my coffin, Sex rises from the table, goes to Adam's side and whispers something in his ear while grabbing him under the table.