We’d only come to New York to get the book so that he could make sure I was safe. And now that was done. The cultists were no more. My safety was assured. Why would he want to waste any more time on me? Offering me one more day on the town was just his way of pitying me.

The idea depressed me, and I hardly noticed the splendor of the Plaza’s lobby as we passed through it. We exited the building, but I paused when we emerged—before us was a pure white open-topped carriage with plush red velvet seats, drawn by a beautiful white horse. I smiled but rolled my eyes, until Riley walked before me, and opened the carriage door.

“After you, Andromeda, my princess,” he said softly.

What else was I supposed to do?

I got into the carriage, and he followed, sitting across from me, careful to not let our knees touch. The driver took his seat, and with a “giddup,” our second day in New York City began.

Not a date, of course, I told myself, even though the thought made my heart ache. But as I gazed at Riley I promised myself that whatever the day was, I would cherish it.

~*~*~*~

We left New York around 5:00 p.m., driving up the I-278 from Brooklyn on our way back to I-95. I leaned my head against Cleo’s window, closing my eyes as I allowed the day’s memories to wash over me.

Riley and I had taken the white carriage through all of Central Park, riding high above all the other tourists and New Yorkers. We ate lunch at Tavern on the Green—well, I had eaten. Riley once again only watched, not hungry. We collected Cleo from the Plaza’s parking lot, but stopped off long enough in the West Village to pick up Magnolia cupcakes. I’d wanted to try one ever since Bree was always raving about how ‘wicked delicious’ they were.

“I need to know what all the fuss is about,” I’d teased Riley as I handed him one. “One for you and one for me.”

“Must I?” he asked, eying the pale green frosting with suspicion.

“You said you wanted me to enjoy myself!” I protested. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

He looked at me with one part indulgence, one part annoyance. He did, however, peel the paper off the cupcake, lift it to his perfect lips and take a bite.

From the way his eyes brightened and the unmistakable pleasure that bloomed over his face, I’d known I was right. If only I knew somehow that the cupcake wasn’t the only thing he wouldn’t regret about our day together…