Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“My lady, you are in luck because I happen to have the pack of them with me.” I reach around for my back pocket, producing the sheet of furry felt mustaches. There are four left, and Harlow takes the packet, eyes running over her options.
“I’ll take this one.” Her nail scrapes at the English-style mustache—your stereotypical, run-of-the-mill ’stache where the ends are thin.
“You’re going to look like such a pervert with that one on.” I laugh, watching as she takes me by the shoulders and positions herself in front of me, using my sunglasses as a mirror.
“Hold still so I can see what I’m doing,” she says, bossy little thing.
Her head comes up only to my chin, and I stand looking down at her silently as she sticks the adhesive part to her upper lip, pressing it on so it sticks.
“There—what do you think?” Harlow moves her mouth around, testing it out.
“Definitely super pervy.”
“I’m female, I do not look pervy—you do. You could have chosen a normal mustache, but you went with that weird handlebar thing.”
She has her finger pointed at my face.
“I’m actually flattered you know the name of this.” I pretend to smooth down the whiskers as if they were real, pursing my lips at the same time. “Do you think anyone will recognize me?”
I’m testing her to gauge her reaction, and I’m surprised when Harlow rolls her eyes.
“Sure, you weirdo. Great camouflage—no one will know it’s you.”
Weirdo?
Has anyone ever called me that before?
No, because no one has the balls to say it, at least not to my face.
“Gee, thanks.”
We trudge along the street—it’s beginning to fill with people, tourists and pedestrians, everyone in a hurry or window-shopping or taking photographs. The colorful buildings and bustling streets provide the perfect backdrop for whatever this is supposed to be.
With every moment that passes, I find myself falling deeper under Harlow’s magical spell, the city’s charm enhancing the chemistry between us.
I look down at Harlow, content with how the day has been proceeding, this little charade of mine working out better than I’d planned. Not only does she still not know who I am, but I hope now she thinks I’m quirky and cute.
Win-win.
“There’s a lot to see today, this is only the first stop.”
“True. But I’m always thinking about my next meal.” She tilts her head. “I could try New York–style pizza today. I haven’t had it yet.”
“Love me some pizza.”
“What kind?”
“Cheese, sausage—pepperoni. Olives. Mushroom. Or plain cheese, it hardly matters, I’ll eat whatever.”
“Me too. As long as it doesn’t have onions, I’m all about it.”
Same.
Little Italy isn’t a hit, the cannoli notwithstanding, but I’m glad we got to see it—turns out, neither of us is in the mood to walk around in the blazing-hot sun once it’s higher in the sky, and neither of us is in the mood for Chinatown. So we hop back on the big red bus and head toward the Statue of Liberty, the backdrop of Liberty Island presenting us with its majestic view.
I glance at Harlow and can’t help but smile.
I’ve never been here before. Never took the time.
“Seems like we’ve upgraded our scenery, don’t you think?”
“It’s smaller than I thought it was going to be,” she remarks, and I smirk.
“That’s what she said.”
“Yeah—that’s what I said.” Harlow rolls her eyes, ignoring my innuendo and walking ahead, stepping onto the cobblestone path leading to the water ferry. The crisp sea breeze carries the distant echoes of seagulls toward us, the lapping waves against the harbor becoming visible as we get closer.
I shiver.
Who knew the sight of the iconic Statue of Liberty, standing tall and proud against the Manhattan skyline, would give me goose bumps?
I mean, seriously. And I’m a guy, and guys don’t get impressed with shit like this.
“This is so cool!” I sound like a teenager on a class trip.
Harlow grins up at me, her eyes sparkling. “Definitely an improvement. And you’re turning this morning into quite the adventure.”
Eh, that’s only mostly true.
We haven’t done anything yet, except eat breakfast and joke around, and I wouldn’t even call our conversations flirty.
I lean in closer, our voices lowered for intimacy, but the wind’s killing my buzz. I’m practically shouting.
“Well, I try my best. But I’ve heard the real charm is when you get up close and personal with Lady Liberty.”
“Personal with the statue?” She playfully bats her eyelashes, hair whipping around her face. “And just how do we do that, Mr. Tour Guide?”
“I hope you’re not being serious about me being your tour guide—I’ll get us lost, and then we’ll be screwed. I know less about this city than you do.” I point to the approaching ferry, putting my hand out so she watches her step, not wanting either of us to nose-dive into the harbor.
It docks.
People disembark, and we embark, moving onto the gangway single file.