After letting me water the front of her shirt for a while, Lisa finally suggests that we head up to the rooftop. Since this is what 230 Fifth is known for, I happily agree. Maybe some fresh air will do me some good. After a quick stop in the bathroom to fix my makeup, we make our way up to the roof, where we can admire the view for miles. Or at least a few city blocks.

I breathe in deep and smile. I really do feel better. Lisa is such an amazing friend. I’m lucky to have her.

“Listen, I was thinking that you ought to give Kaden another chance,” Lisa says casually, leaning on the railing as we look out over the city together. It’s a view that the New York City girl in me will never tire of.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. But that means that he has to come after me! I mean, I can’t go after him. How weak and needy will that look?”

Lisa looks uncomfortable, as if she’s inwardly debating something, when I suddenly spot Kaden coming through the door. “He’s here!” I hiss, turning away and staring off into the distance intently, as if I’ve never seen this view before.

“He is?” she says excitedly, craning her neck to look towards the door.

“Don’t look!” I hiss, elbowing her in the ribs. “We’re going to play this cool.”

“But…” The protest dies on her lips and at my stubborn look, she sighs. “Okay. Fine. No looking. But—”

“No buts. Oh!” I see a cute guy walk up and lean against the railing just a little ways down from us, and I instantly form a plan. I’m going to flirt, and make Kaden jealous, and then he’ll have to actually work to get me back. No pathetic whining Brittney, no siree bob. I’m going to make him realize that he wants me, and only me.

I stride confidently over to the cute guy’s side, ignoring the hissing sounds of Lisa behind me. God, I’m not shitting you, she sounds like a tire losing air. I don’t know why she’s acting so weird tonight, but whatevs. I’ve got to make Kaden regret waiting a whole week to come after me. 

“Hi,” I say with a sexy smile as I get close. Now that I’m here, I realize that he’s not nearly as cute up close as he was far away. His eyes are too close together and his nose is too big and his jaw is too small and he’s not Kaden, dammit.

I plunge on, anyway. Determined. “Isn’t it a gorgeous view?”

“It is,” he says with a too-high voice. He sounds closer in pitch to me than to Kaden. I am starting to seriously regret my coming over here but now this guy’s eyes are lit up and he’s holding out his hand to shake. “I’m Jake McDonald, and you are?”

I reluctantly slide my hand into his, not able to stop myself from noting that his hands are on the tiny side. Which we all know what that means. What the hell did I see in this guy??

“Brittney,” I say, pulling my hand back as quickly as I can without appearing rude. Where is Kaden? I want to look around the rooftop restaurant and see if he’s noticing this little interlude that I’m having with this guy, and if he’s on his way over to stop it in its tracks. Isn’t he supposed to be jealous?

I send a big smile up at Jake. Where are you, Kaden??

“What are you drinking? I can send for another one.” He gestures down at my empty glass. I hadn’t realized I’d finished my drink, but I also don’t want to accept a drink from this guy that I have no intention of fucking, let alone kissing.

“I’m good,” I say, looking around for a place to put the glass down and finally awkwardly end up ditching it on a nearby table. “I don’t need to drink anymore tonight, thanks.”

If Kaden doesn’t show up by my side soon, I’m going to cry again.

No, actually I’m not. I straighten my back proudly. Goddammit, if Kaden doesn’t choose to go after me, then that’s fine. If he won’t fight for me, he isn’t worth wanting anyway. 

“Where do you work, Jake?”

I’m going to carry on a small-talk conversation with this guy if it kills me. As I realize that his eyebrows could be more accurately described as a uni-brow, I can’t help but think that it just might kill me after all. 

He leans in a little too close for comfort and says, “I’m a banker over on Wall Street.” He slides his hand up my arm and I draw back uncomfortably.

“Which sector?” I ask, trying to get him to focus on our conversation instead of my body. He follows me, pressing me against the railing with his body, his hand caressing higher and higher, closer and closer to my tits.

I abandon all pretense and shift my stance so I can knee him in the nuts and run like hell when—

“Brittney, there you are,” Kaden says in my ear, sliding his arm around my waist.