You don't realize exactly how lucky you are to live in a beautiful city until a very eager and stubborn teenager forces you to give her a tour of everything. Of course, I was super excited to move to New York City after I got accepted to NYU, but after years of living here, I kind of got over it. Evans made me take her everywhere. My mom reminded her that they were going to stay a few more days, but she acted like it was her last day on earth and she had to look at everything today.
Evans offered me his credit card. Of course, I told him I didn't need it, but he still made me take it. Thankfully I have my own money saved up, so I didn't need to use it. I already feel guilty about him paying me so much to be his surrogate and covering my bills. He can't keep paying for everything, although I will admit that it's nice. I'm not used to being taken care of, and it feels indulgent to spend my money on fun things, rather than bills or necessities for my family.
My mom told me she still had a lot of money left from the last time I sent her. She offered to give it back, but I told her to keep it. For the first time in a long time, my family has more than enough money.
We go to the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and on a few shopping sprees, something Evans loves. I enjoyed the whole day with them, knowing I only have them here for a few days. In the evening, I find myself feeling nervous about going into Evan's room. I watch TV and talk with my mom for a while in my bedroom, but when she’s unable to hide her yawns, I grab my pajamas and wish her good-night.
When I walk into the room, Evan is on his phone. He’s still wearing the suit from this morning, though his hair is disheveled. When he looks up at me, I blush and turn away, remembering our little make out session from this morning. I sit down on the love seat and stare at my feet, wishing I could still take my shoes off easily on my own.
"No, I haven't forgotten," Evans is saying. "...Friday at five...yes...okay...I have to go—okay...Goodnight, Caroline." He is smiling when he hangs up. "That was Caroline, making sure I already told you about dinner at her place on Friday." He rolls his eyes as he walks towards me. "She can be a handful."
"It's going to be in her house?"
He nods. "My parents are divorced, so it had to be in her or Murphy's house. You can imagine who made that decision."
The name Murphy hangs on the air for a moment. I begin to kick off my shoes. It feels like my stomach has doubled its size overnight. I know I'm barely five months, but it's already a struggle to reach for my feet. I don't even want to think about how it's going to be when I'm eight months.
"Let me help you." Evans kneels in front of me.
"Oh, you don't have to do that," I say, feeling embarrassed. My feet are not exactly my best feature. I don't get salon pedicures like other girls, and the sparkle nail polish on them feels like it's been there for months.
He rolls his eyes as he pulls off my socks. "The whole point of you living with me was so I could help you, Damien. Don't be ridiculous."
"Thank you," I say when he finishes.
He looks up at me with a glint in his eye. "Do you need help with your clothes too?"
I laugh nervously. "Very funny." He chuckles and I stand up. "I think I'm going to shower."
"Okay." He moves toward the door. "I only have men’s shampoo. Let me go get—"
"No." I interrupt. "It's fine. It's just shampoo, it's not going to turn me into a man, is it?" I tease him.
He grins. "I hope not."
I’m laughing when I go into the restroom. I try to be fast, eager to be back in the room with him. I’ve never felt this kind of wanting to be with a guy—a man. Evans is too mature for me to call him a guy. He’s definitely a man, and a very handsome man.
My shower is quick, though I smile when I massage the men’s shampoo in my hair. After I get out, I change into pajamas and then brush my teeth and hair. I try to take a few deep breaths to calm myself before going back to the room, but it's impossible. I can't stop smiling. It feels like I'm floating on a cloud of anticipation. Just me and him...alone...in his room.