Page 35 of For the Love of Art

Grabbing my purse, I left my office and found my way to the same exit I left at the grand opening. I pushed the door open with force and breathed in the air but then remembered this was New York City, and the air smelled like garbage and urine on a hot summer day like today, and I immediately gagged. More than that, when I pushed open the door, there was a yelp from behind it, which was worrying since I was in an alley alone.

Well, not alone. With whoever I hit on the other side of the door.

As it closed, it revealed Nathan rubbing his head with one hand and holding a garbage bag in the other.

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!”

This had to be the worst first day in the history of first days.

Nathan chuckled uncomfortably. “No biggie. What use is my head anyway?”

“What are you doing out here?”

Nathan lifted the garbage bag. “Garbage. Taking it out.”

“You take out the garbage?”

“It doesn’t take itself out.”

I looked his suit up and down, knowing that the jacket alone probably cost more than my rent.

“Right.”

As Nathan tied up the bag, he asked, “What are you doing out here?”

“Getting some air.”

Nathan brought the bag across the alley to the dumpster and hoisted it in. He brushed his hands together as he turned to face me.

“I’ve worked you to the bone in a few short hours?”

“N-no!” I said desperately. “Not at all.”

Nathan laughed lightly. “I was kidding.”

My cheeks flushed.

“Oh.”

He gestured with his head toward the entrance of the alley.

“Well, come on then.”

“What?”

“You need air. I need a coffee. Why not do it together?”

I wanted to say no, but my feet were somehow already moving in his direction. Unsurprisingly, he took it as a yes, and we fell in step out on the sidewalk.

We walked a block in painfully awkward silence before he opened the door to a cute but busy cafe. The bright blue walls were an assault on the eyes in many ways, and the dark wood furniture competed with its ostentatiousness in the worst way. Nathan looked content— at home even.

“What would you like?”

I reached into my purse, looking for my wallet. “I’m pretty simple. I just drink my coffee black.”

Nathan pushed my hand from my purse. “I like my coffee the same. You find us somewhere to sit.”

“You’re not buying my coffee.”