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We took seats at high-top table for two, and I dug in. “Oh, my God, these are amazing,” I said, popping a second one into my mouth. I’d never had a problem about being completely myself when out with a guy.
“I love that you appreciate dessert. Hanging out in the model world is pretty boring when most of the girls wouldn’t dream of eating anything with this many calories.”
“That bad, huh?” I adored food. If given the choice between it and modeling, there’d be a clear verdict, which at the moment was the bit of powdered heaven I was chasing with milk.
He shrugged. “Sometimes. There are exceptions, but I try to keep it all professional.”
“No one special, then?” It was hard to believe the gorgeous man sitting across from me didn’t have a love interest.
He shook his head. “I’m not in a position currently where I can have anyone serious in my life. Lots of travel and work, but that’s only for a couple more years.”
“Then what?” I couldn’t help licking the sugar off my fingers from the doughnut, which made him laugh.
“Truthfully, I don’t know, but I’d love to work with people, especially kids. Maybe become a counselor or advisor. What about you? Where does McKenzie, Kenzie, Kenz see herself a couple of years from now?”
It was my turn to shrug, noting that for the first time in my life I didn’t give the automatic answer of ‘go to business school.’ Instead I gave him the abbreviated version of my internship opportunity and being pressured to move back home.
“Sounds like music is your passion.”
I smiled. “It really is. Although it may not be something I could ever make a living doing.”
He looked thoughtful. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but maybe shaking things up a bit and not being on your parents’ path isn’t such a bad thing, whether or not you choose music. In my case, I didn’t start to think about my future until I’d traveled away from home and started relying on myself. The world is a large place, but people sometimes get wrapped up in their own version and forget that.”
I nodded, thinking that’s exactly what had happened. I’d been on my parents’ road so long, I didn’t know how to make my own. “Thanks for that. You’re right. Damn. I hadn’t meant to make this a therapy session, future counselor Will.”
His eyes twinkled. “You haven’t, and if you want to talk about Colby, I won’t charge you.”
Oh, boy. “Why not? Clearly me sitting across from a handsome, amazing guy and not flirting with him is a sure sign I’m hopeless.”
He smiled. “That was kind of flirty, and for the record, I think you’re awesome. It’s kind of funny, though, that I seem to have an affinity for meeting cool girls who also happen to be hung up already on one of the Singer brothers.”
“Oh, you’re referring to Haylee?” Josh’s wife had modelled with Will, which is how they’d originally met and become friends.
“Yeah, when I first met her, I could tell she had it bad for someone else. Then Josh came to a model shoot and made it quite obvious to any casual observer that he felt the same even if he wasn’t admitting it yet. If Colby is anything like his brother, he’ll be thickheaded when it comes to recognizing what’s right in front of him. My advice for you is to stop trying to be seductive and keeping track of your failures. Because you know what’s sexiest about you?”
“I’m guessing it’s not the fact that I’ve polished off over half of those doughnut holes unapologetically after eating three slices of pizza?”
He shook his head, grinning. “Actually, I think that’s impressive. But in general, it’s you being you. No pretense, no effort, simply pure, unfiltered Kenzie. First she’s sassy and then she’s sweet.”
My eyes rolled. “I’m pretty sure you’ve just described fucking sour patch kid candy.”
He laughed until he couldn’t breathe and then finally got out. “See? Sexy as hell.”
I grinned. “Oh, yeah, is it my self-deprecation or sarcasm that does it for you?”
“All of the above, and I guarantee it does it for a lot of guys. I’d be willing to bet you have some text messages or missed calls by now from at least one.”
I pulled out my phone and as Will predicted, I had five text messages. All from Colby. The first couple were about logistics regarding the doorman letting me into the building in case I didn’t want to wait for him to get there first. The next one said he was on his way, with the message that followed indicating he was home. The final text made it clear how irritated he was.
“Where the hell are you?”
My eyes widened and then looked up into Will’s smug face.
“Told ya.”
I typed back I’d be on my way shortly then Will and I walked out into the beautiful spring night, to the bustle of Times Square. I’d only been in New York City a handful of times, so I was still in awe of all the activity at night.
“I can’t believe we were there so long.”
