Page 92 of Just Ten Seconds

“You guys ready?” she asks, rounding the corner and looking into the bathroom. “Are you wearing lipstick?” She’s not talking to me.

He looks in the mirror and rubs voraciously at the glimmer lip gloss on his mouth. “Yes,” he says with a cough. “We’re coming right out.”

“Okay!” She lifts a shoulder, and her ponytail sways as she walks away.

When she’s out of sight, he leans over and kisses my jaw, pulling me in by the waist and inhaling.

I place a hand on his arm and hold it firm. “Can we make a plan to be alone? Either tonight or tomorrow at the latest. I want to talk to you about some things.”

His eyes widen. “I definitely think we can make a plan to be alone.” He is misinterpreting my request, but it doesn’t matter. As long as we have time and privacy. “Good to go?”

With one more look, I give myself a final appraisal. “Good enough.”

“Gotta love a woman who only needs five minutes to get ready.”

I walk past him and grab my bag from my room. He follows me in and looks down at my desk. His eyes land on the pocket watch that sits by my computer.

“This is nice.” His fingers open the front, and he sees the time is stopped. “It needs to be wound.”

He goes to twist the knob, but I lean forward and grab it from him, clutching the gold to my chest and hugging it tightly.

“No,” I say rather loudly. “It’s broken.”

He places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I can fix it if you’d like.” He has no idea how powerful his words are.

“Thanks,” I say timidly. “Maybe another time.”

His head tilts. He won’t have to wait long for an explanation. I just have to decide where to start.

“Gross,” Amanda says.

I follow her voice to see her standing by my refrigerator, pointing to one of the inappropriate magnets Jackie got me.

“This guy is naked with his hand over his—”

“Okay, you.” I put my palm over her eyes and usher her out the of house. Sorry, I mouth to Dean, who is now looking at the magnet.

“Jackie?” he asks, pointing to it.

“How did you guess?” I say with a laugh and open the front door.

As Dean and Amanda walk out of the apartment, I realize I’m still holding onto the pocket watch. I walk it to my room and place it in its spot ever so carefully.

Yes, this conversation is going to be so much harder than I ever expected.

When I get outside, I lock the door and then head over to my car. Dean looks at me like I have three heads. I give him the same look right back.

I nod toward my sedan. “It’s small and easier to navigate in gridlock. Plus, they’ll upcharge you for the size of that thing in a parking garage.”

With a pointed finger at me, he agrees, “We’ll take my E-ZPass though. I pay for tolls and gas.”

“Would the caveman like to drive the little lady as well?” I ask.

He rubs his chin in thought. “Give me the keys.”

I pull them to my chest, about to be snarky and then think twice. I don’t really know how to drive in Manhattan. I spent my youth on the MTA bus and subway. As an adult, I was in town cars and taxis. Navigating the streets in stop-and-go traffic, weaving between double-parked cars, and dodging pedestrians is something that makes me nervous.

I hand him the keys and hop in.