Two subway rides and one Thai food stop later, I climb the steep staircase to my third-floor apartment. The heat rises with every step, the air thick and humid still in early September.
Once inside, the cool air greets me along with Thor, my big clumsy golden retriever. He barks and licks my hands. “Excited to see me, boy? How was your day?”
I deposit my food on the counter and grab Thor’s leash hanging on the back of the door. He wags his tail and sits in response, knowing our routine.
After sliding my food in the oven, I change into my workout clothes and slip on my sneakers. “This one’s quick tonight buddy, it’s hot out there.”
I’m about to leave when my phone buzzes with a text. It’s always on for work, making myself available for clients after hours.
Raina: How’s ur week going? I could use some dessert.
A goofy smile plays on my lips, and Thor cocks his head at me sideways. “Yeah, yeah, buddy, we’re going.”
I type out a text back, Every day is a good day for dessert.
Tucking my phone away, I head out with Thor in tow, the pretty girl from the café filling my head.
There’s something about her. I’m drawn to her in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. My career’s been my focus, not women, but how fast that can change.
The humidity smacks me in the face as soon as we’re outside. On steamy nights, Thor and I take a walk instead or a quick jog. When the temps cool down, I’ll start running again. I miss it, a suitable way for me to destress and keep off the pounds.
My feet hit the pavement as I take the usual route until I’m a few blocks over near Central Park. I think about my conversation with Raina yet again.
Why had she been crying? I mean, those were painful tears, and the amount of hurt on her face maddening.
Who would hurt a beautiful girl like her? I couldn’t stop myself from going over to her, wanting to put an end to whatever pain she was in.
I doubt I succeeded, but at least I distracted her mind for a while. And now I can’t stop thinking about her. I’ve told myself there’s no room in my life for women for so long, but maybe it’s time to change that.
A couple more blocks and we’re back at my apartment. A cool shower and some delicious food are calling my name.
“She doesn’t hate me, after all.” I grin as Raina’s beauty comes into view, her sundress and jean jacket hugging every curve.
She’s more beautiful than I remember. Maybe it’s the fact that she isn’t crying or that it’s still daytime. Whatever it is, I can’t tear my eyes away.
“I don’t hate you.” Raina smiles and sits across from me at the rooftop table I chose for us. It’s a cool afternoon, the summer heat slowly leaving the city as September ends. “Life happens.”
“Tell me about it. These past two weeks were crazy.” I shake my head still trying to process it all.
The upstairs apartment flooded, which caused water to leak into my apartment. I knew I should’ve taken the fourth-floor apartment instead.
When I came home from work the other night, poor Thor was wet from water flowing out of the bathroom and into the living room.
Raina takes a sip of the coffee I ordered her, remembering what she liked from before. “Mmm, thanks for the coffee, wonderful job remembering. I’m sorry about all your terrible luck.”
She’s so kind and sweet, what made her so sad before? I still wonder, our text messages never enough to really get to know her.
“Eh, Thor and I will make it, I think.” I grin.
“I think you will, too. So, what’s your favorite type of music to produce?”
“Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’d say fast beats, with a hip-hop type of feel.”
Raina pushes her hair away from her face, revealing more of her neck, a neck I want to taste.
“I can’t picture my lyrics with a fast beat. I usually aim for the slower, more intense sounds. I should try something faster. You know, expand my horizons.” Raina sips her drink.
“I think that’s a great idea. Always good to know your way around different types of music.” I nod toward her, and she bites her bottom lip, and I want to bite it, too.
She’s intoxicating, and I want to be closer—feeling her, smelling her, tasting her.
“I love that you write your own lyrics and are interested in producing it too. You’re my kind of girl.” I don’t think about the words, they just slip out. Raina freezes, her cup halfway to her lips. She recovers fast and sips her coffee, hiding behind it.
I don’t regret what I said, wanting to make her feel good about herself. Our eyes meet, and her cheeks flush, making her more gorgeous.
Suddenly, a part of me wants to ask her out on a date. Should I?
Why not?
What if she says no?
I debate in my head, silence growing between us when she finally breaks it.
“I brought you something.” Raina pushes her long hair behind her shoulder and reaches for her bag. When she pulls out the journal she had the first time we met, I have a feeling I know.
“Lyrics?” I ask with excitement, feeling like a kid on Christmas.
She nods, her eyes lighting up at my reaction. “Yep, I want to see what you think.”
“I’d love to take a peek.” I finish off my coffee and wait, my leg jigging under the table.
Raina flips through the book and stops on a page in the middle. She hands the book to me and watches as I read it.
It’s beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. It’s like getting a peek inside her, how her mind works and what she feels.
How heartbroken and sad she is.
Why?
Why is this beautiful girl so sad?
Unless she’s writing about someone else, but those words are powerful. And powerful words come from experience, from feeling.
Who broke her heart?
“What do you think?” Raina asks softly, a catch in her voice like she’s afraid of what I’ll say.
“It’s beautiful, Raina.”
“Thank you.”
I imagine a soft beat for this song, a beautiful melody set against the sad words. “A piano would sound beautiful behind those lyrics.”
Her face contorts, and she blinks fast as if she’s fighting back tears. Shit, what did I say?
“Yeah,” she quips as she takes the book back and closes it. “I don’t think I’m ready yet.”
“I get that.” I reach out and cover my hand with hers. She seems to pull back at first, but she doesn’t, leaving her hand beneath mine. Only for a mere second, one I wish lasted much longer. “When you’re ready, okay?”
Raina nods, but when she looks back at me, her eyes are full of unshed tears.
Why does she hurt so much?
This beautiful young woman.
I need to find out what it is and fix it.
Chapter Eight
Levi
“What? No fucking way.” I stand quickly, my chair flying backward and slamming into the wall. “You can’t do that.”
“I can, and I will. It’s only thirty days and a highly ranked treatment center. You need help, Levi. Your drinking is out of control and affecting your daily life, including your music career.”