Page 23 of Finding My Forever

Sophia was in heaven, stopping to take pictures every few yards.

“It gets better each time,” She said as she slid her phone into the pocket at the front of her overalls.

“Thanks for bringing me along. I should have spent more time researching what to do, but the weeks leading up to coming were crazy. All I could think of were the big things like Time Square, a show, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. I never would have found this on my own.”

“Well, thank you for trusting me. It’s nice not having to worry about entertaining my little siblings and just doing what I want.”

I couldn’t imagine bringing little kids here. That would be way too stressful.

“Let’s head down here. Chelsea Market is right there.” She pointed down the street so we took the stairs and headed in.

“What is this place?” I tried to take it all in at once but there was too much to see.

“Some of the food shows are filmed here, and there are restaurants and vendors. I found a surprise for you.”

“Really?” I tried to follow her but kept getting distracted.

“Look!” She pointed at the front of a small shop with a sign that said recording. We stopped and watched several monitors showing a cooking show I recognized being filmed. The host shuffled back and forth behind a kitchen island.

“It’s so weird to think that it’s taking place just on the other side of the wall.” I commented.

“I know.” She agreed. “I always pictured huge studios like in LA, so the first time we found this place I was so confused. I didn’t get how a show could be recorded inside a mall.”

After watching for a few more minutes, she led the way through the top and bottom levels. There were some really interesting vendors, and I kept telling myself I could come back if nothing else caught my eye, but with each step there was something else to catch my interested.

“I feel like we’re being sucked into a black hole. Will we ever get out?”

She laughed and pointed to the nearest exit, “Let’s walk around outside.”

We meandered through a few blocks and I fell in love with all the walk-up buildings on the tree-lined streets.

“I love it here.” I stared up at the architecture and it hit me, this wasn’t an attempt at looking old or retro, these buildings really were designed back when details mattered.

“We can keep walking around this neighborhood for as long as you want, but I do have a surprise for you.” Sophia waited until I turned.

“Surprise?”

Her grin widened. “Yeah, but it’s too far to walk from here so I’ll get us a car.”

Minutes later we were standing in line of a specialty shop. It served cookie dough that you could eat without the risk of food poisoning. The line winded once in front of the store before it entered the restaurant. And was almost entirely very excited women.

“Is this place good?” I assumed it was with how many people were willing and happy to wait in line.

“Oh, it’s amazing. It’s a bit rich so I’m getting a small. I looked up their menu and they have a few more options for you, too.”

I couldn’t wait to try it. Finding yummy gluten-free treats was a struggle, so I planned on eating all I could while I was here.

A few minutes later we were back on the sidewalk, heading toward Washington Square Park to eat our treats.

Once the chocolate chip dough hit my tongue, I closed my eyes and moaned. “So good.”

I bumped into Sophia and apologized before opening my eyes.

That was not Sophia.

I was looking at the broad chest of a guy. Embarrassment flooded my body. My eyes slowly trailed up to the gorgeous face of someone that could only be described as perfection. His blue eyes drilled into mine. His arm flexed in front of me as he raised it to brush his brown hair out of his eyes.

He smiled and my heart exploded.