Page 34 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

I was crazy. I knew it, but that was what happened when your only two work friends talked you into things. We were on stage one of recon work: watching. Cora texted me the night I’d told her about Goldie, saying we should show up a bit early and wait to see if he appeared.

This was the third day I was waiting out in the cold for a glimpse of the man who occupied my thoughts...and dreams.

It was stalkerish, but it was also our best option. As much as I wanted to give it up and write off the elevator encounter, it was providing a new form of entertainment. A little crush never hurt anyone.

I sipped my white-chocolate hot cocoa and waited. I forced myself to count out one hundred people who passed before checking my watch. Three minutes had passed.

“Hey, there.” I lowered my drink and smiled at Cora. Her red hair clashed with her red coat, but I doubt she cared.

“Aren’t you freezing?”

I picked up the cup I had sitting next to me and handed it to her.

“Nope,” I lied.

She sipped her drink and smiled. “I guess it’s not that bad.” She sat on the bench next to me, and we stared at the entrance in silence.

I counted another hundred people and checked the time. “Six minutes.”

“How long are we staying today?”

I sighed. “Ten.”

She took another drink and nodded. I scanned the sidewalk in both directions but didn’t see him. This could all be a waste. He could be sitting warmly at his desk by now. Or not even out of bed. There was no way to know.

Another hundred people.

“One minute left,” I announced, and Cora nodded in acknowledgment.

I took the last sip of my drink and took that as my sign. With a final look, I stood up and picked up my purse. “Today is not the day.”

She stood with me, and we cut through the crowd to the revolving door. “No, this morning is not the morning. There’s still hope at lunch or at the end of the day.”

“True.” I appreciated her positivity since mine was wearing thin.

“You seem down. What’s going on?” She hit the elevator button as a crowd formed behind us. I tried to casually look around without seeming like I was looking for anyone or anything specific.

“Just had another night alone.” The fourth one this week.

“The roomie was out again?” She sounded surprised. Neither of us understood how Holly could have such an active social life. It exhausted Cora to even think about it.

The doors opened, and we stepped into the elevator. I hit the eighth-floor button and headed back to the corner so as many people as possible could pack in. “Yeah, and I know she has no obligation to hang out with me, but that’s the reason I wanted a roommate, you know. If I wanted to live alone, I would have found a one-bedroom apartment.”

Cora laughed. “I’ll trade you anytime; just say the word.”

I chuckled with her. “Sorry. I know I’m lucky that I basically have the apartment to myself and that I get along with her, but…” I shrugged. “I didn’t think I’d be so lonely in a city of eight million people.”

“That’s not uncommon, but it would help if you didn’t hole up with your Netflix account every night.”

The elevator arrived at our floor, and we had to push our way out. Walking into the office, we waved to the receptionist, Mark.

“Morning, ladies.”

“Morning,” we echoed.

“It’s not entirely by choice,” I continued. “I just haven’t made many friends yet. I’m sure it will get better.” I didn’t want to sound too pathetic, and I really didn’t want to guilt her into a pity date.

“Yes, you definitely need to get out of your comfort zone.”