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us had only grown stronger in the short time we
spent together. We were getting dangerous close to heading in that direction, the one I claimed I shouldn’t go.
    At least not with him.
    Even being midnight on a Tuesday, well now
Wednesday morning, the sounds of Manhattan still rang loud in the
air once we stepped outside. It might be an annoyance for some, but
it was riveting for me. I loved it. The horns, the sirens…the noise
brought a surge of energy throughout my veins each and every time I
stopped to listen.
    “Can I walk you home?” he asked once our feet
touched the cement.
    “I believe you already are,” I answered slyly,
starting in the direction of my apartment.
    He fell into step next to me. “This is the
way?”
    “It is.”
    “You live down here?” he asked, sounding
somewhat shocked.
    “Is there a problem with that?” I questioned. I
wasn’t trying to sound rude; I was hoping for more playful than
anything.
    “No. No, not at all,” he said, taken back. “The
cost of living is just higher in this area, is all.”
    I snorted at his insinuation, not to be rude,
but by the simple fact that he knew the cost of living and probably
my salary. “No one ever said I lived in the Taj Mahal,” I pointed
out, nudging his arm to let him know I wasn’t ashamed or offended
by his reference or the probability that our homes were probably
night and day from each other’s.
    “Well, I commend you on your choice of location.
It’s the best in the city, in my opinion.”
    A prideful grin smeared my face. Not many
enjoyed the Times Square feel, but once you got off the main
streets, it was incredible. I knew my choice of living was
exceptional. “Thank you,” I happily responded, looping his arm with
mine. It was a gutsy move. We hadn’t been this close all night.
Flirtatious, yes, but touching, no. But the urge was there and I
had to take it. I couldn’t stop myself. Something about walking the
streets of Manhattan with a man like Miles by my side made the
gesture a logical and natural thing to do. And he didn’t seem
opposed to it, either. In fact, he rested his free hand over mine,
holding it to his arm.
    It was only a few short minutes later that we
were standing at the base of my building. Part of me wished the
walk was longer.
    “So, this is you?” he said, facing me but
glancing up the length of the building before returning his gaze to
mine.
    “It is,” I confirmed awkwardly. It was that
clichéd first date moment. Even though we weren’t on a date, it
still had that feel, and I knew we were both wondering what was
going to happen next. The rush between my legs that I’d had
throughout the night was screaming to invite him upstairs, but the
more reserved, adult, wanting-to-create-a-better-image-for-myself
side was reminding me that I shouldn’t. I’d regret my decision in
the morning if I did.
    Miles took things into his own hands, leaning
forward and gently kissing my cheek, whispering, “Goodnight,
Kayla,” into my ear before walking away.
    I stood there, frozen, without the will to move.
He had the gentlest lips in the world. I turned to watch him walk
away but he was already out of sight. I stared anyway, mesmerized
by the night.
    When I finally put one foot in front of the
other, my body humming with euphoric energy, I followed my usual
route through the lobby, up the elevator, and down the hallway to
my apartment. It wasn’t until I slipped off my shoes and threw my
purse to the side that my body froze again, this time scared
shitless, seeing a lifeless body curled up in my bed. A smart
person in my position probably would have called 911 immediately,
but I apparently wasn’t thinking clearly. I used caution walking
forward and, fortunately for my safety, relaxed when I saw who the
body in my bed belonged to: Madison, my little sister.
    Prior to moving, I sent her a letter with a key,
letting her know my new living arrangements. We hadn’t had the most
stellar upbringing. My mother