Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?” I ask, slowly starting to walk backwards away from them.
“A black Range Rover? That is no NYU student,” another one adds. I can’t help but giggle.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I got to go, bye!” I call with child-like glee as I turn and practically run out the doors and into Shane’s swanky car.
“Hey!” I say, slightly short of breath.
He looks at me with curiosity but simply smiles and shakes his head.
“How do you feel about taking a ride out to Queens tonight?” he asks me.
“I think that’s a great idea,” I say truthfully. Going to Queens is genius, actually. No one there will recognize either of us, meaning we can get to know each other without a care in the world. I clip on my seatbelt and we zoom off toward the expressway.
We talk and get to know each other on the drive to Queens. I chatter a lot about Rose because I want him to have a good impression of my best friend, beyond the fact that she works as an escort. I explain that she needed help for tuition, and that escorting was a last-resort type of thing. Shane nods quietly.
“No judgment,” he says. “Everyone has a different path in life.”
I nod gratefully.
“She’s really nice,” I say sincerely. “I hope you get to meet her sometime.”
He merely smiles, and says, “I hope so too.” Then, I tell him all about living at school and my classes. He asks me what I think I want to do after graduation.
“I don’t have a job lined up yet, but I want to go into social work. I want to help people become the best version of themselves and to feel good about their lives,” I say on a hopeful note. It’s true, and I really do want to make a difference. Many people have less than I do, and I want to help them improve their positions in life through counseling, support, and a connection to resources.
Shane seems moved.
“Such a giving heart,” he responds tenderly. “You’ll be wonderful as a social worker, honey. I can already tell.”
I feel myself blushing and nervously look away.
“So, um, how about you? How is business going?” I ask to change the subject. Of course, I know what Shane does, sort of. He works as a financier, and I think that means he works for a big bank. The alpha male nods.
“Working in the private banking industry is always the same – there are ups and downs, but it pays well at least. I’m grateful to be in a field that’s on the up and up. It’s a good fit. I enjoy it and I’m good at it,” he says, turning to glance at me. Suddenly, he grins.
“And we’re here!” he exclaims as we turn onto a long gravel drive.
“And here is where?” I ask. We both laugh at this.
“I thought it would be fun to go to a drive-in together,” he says. I absolutely love this idea. A drive-in is the clichéd romantic date, but it’s sweet. We can snuggle together and share a popcorn.
“Goonies is playing,” he offers with a big corny smile.
“I love that movie!” I exclaim without thinking. I do, but I worry that it will make me seem childish to him. Just in case, I add, “I haven’t seen it in ages!”
“Who doesn’t love the Goonies? It’s one of my top five best movies of all time.” I feel relieved. I tell myself I need to stop making this a bigger deal than it is. I know Shane. He is a regular, good guy. I shouldn’t be pressuring myself to impress him.
As if sensing my determination, he places his hand on mine as we drive into our reserved spot. As soon as we get parked, he jumps up and starts climbing into the backseat.
“What are you doing?” I ask giddily through laughter.
“Setting up,” he grins. “We’re not going to sit in the front seat watching this movie, sweetheart. I brought everything we need to turn this backseat into our own private oasis. Plus, I thought it would be comfier to cuddle up back here than to stay up front. Is that okay?” he asks.
“Of course it’s okay. I can’t believe you thought of all this!” I say. He winks at me and gets back to work.
He puts down the back seat to make more room and lines the floor with tons of blankets and cushy pillows. He shows me a small cooler he has in the trunk with waters and a bottle of champagne - my drink of choice. He even pulls out a big bag of goodies filled with an assortment of chips, candy, and popcorn. I am over the moon with happiness. This is by far the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.