Click. Click. Click.
Fuck. The photographer. I didn’t even think about him, and I definitely didn’t need that right now. All I wanted to do was sit and sob, but instead I had to mount a freaking getaway? I was sure they already had their money shot of me crying, and they could take their story wherever they wanted. Ugh. Van wouldn’t be happy about that. Fuck. Taking a right, I hustled as well as I could in heels and a tight dress and ducked into a semi-dark alley down the block to catch my breath. Was I reallytrying to hide myself behind a dumpster? My stomach was churning, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the awful smell, the fact that I sat through that, or because I believed I could fit into a life like theirs. I was still shaking from the encounter, and I didn’t know if I’d ever been so embarrassed before. Pulling out my phone, I saw the slew of texts and phone calls.
Donovan
Audra, where are you?
I’m coming to you, please tell me where you are
I’m so sorry that went on as long as it did. We should have left immediately.
Please let me explain myself and everything.
I am going to drive around with Miles to look for you. I’m so sorry.
Please. Even if you don’t want to see me, please let me know you’re okay. I’ll arrange a hotel for you. You won’t even have to see me. Please just let me know if you’re safe.
New York was full of people, and I didn’t know if I’d ever felt so alone. I could’ve called Jules, and she’d swoop in, but she was being celebrated, and I didn’t want to take that from her. However, I didn’t want to see Donovan either. What a mess.
After hiding in the alley for about fifteen minutes, the smell got to me. I pulled my hair out of the chignon, put on my big girl pants, and tried to figure out my next move. What were my options? Take him up on the hotel? Put myself up at a much shoddier hotel? Try to book a flight home? Rent a car? Ugh. I didn’t want to do any of those things; I just wanted to lie down.
Coming out of the alley, I noticed a hotel on the next block.I wouldn’t book a night there, but I could have a drink at the hotel lobby to regroup.It was only 7:15 p.m., so I could at least get off my feet and out of a dark alley to figure it out. I wiped the bottom of my lids to get rid of any raccoon eyes and walked over.
After ordering some fancy martini, I pulled out my phone and started looking for some accommodations for the night. Less than five minutes into it, I was interrupted.
“Hey, pretty lady, are you waiting for someone?”
Beside me stood a very handsome man in a suit. He didn’t fill it out quite as nicely as Donovan, but not everyone could custom-tailor their clothing. He had dark hair and ocean-blue eyes you could get lost in.
“Um—not at the moment, no.” I could have hit my head with my palm. That wasn’t the right thing to say. Safety 101.
“My name is Nathan, and I’d love to join you then.”
“Um … I…”
My phone rang again, but that time it was Jules.
“I have to take this,” I said to Nathan and picked up my phone.
“Hey Audra, where are you, my love?” Based on the tone she was using with me, I knew she knew.
I tried to hold back the emotion in my voice because I was in public, and although my new friend was pretending not to listen, he was. The words stuttered out, “I’m … I’m in a bar.” The tears welled again.
“Ok, are you close or far from the restaurant?”
“Close. I took a right out of the restaurant and made it a block. If you take a right after you leave the restaurant, you’ll see it. Hold on.” Turning to Nathan, I whispered, “What is the name of this bar?”
“The Hotel is The Downtry, and we’re in the lobby bar.”
“Did you hear that, Jules? It’s Downtry’s lobby bar.”
“I’m coming for you. Don’t leave,” Jules ordered.
“No, it’s okay. Don’t leave your work thing.” A tear fell. God, how freaking embarrassing. If I could have afforded the hotel, I would have high-tailed it out of there to cry in my room.
“Don’t you dare leave,” she said, hanging up before I could argue. I put my phone down, and my new friend looked at me with confused and sad eyes.
“Long night?”
