City Secrets by Jessica Burkhart Read Free Book Online

York City. But I didn’t say that to Heather.
    We walked out the door and I felt like I could breathe better when we got out of the penthouse. The hallway was quiet and the building’s lobby had a few people entering and exiting. The doorman pulled open the door for Heather and me, and we stepped through, smiling our thanks.
    At just after nine, the city air was chilly, and sunlight found its way around the tall buildings and filtered down to us.
    â€œWhich way’s the subway?” I asked, looking in both directions. I’d ridden the subway once with Paige over the summer. We’d told her parents we were using a car service, but I’d begged Paige to take me on the subway and she’d agreed. It had been so much fun. I stood still—frozen in the memory. We’d bought single-ride MetroCards and had ridden the F train to a stop close to Paige’s before using a car service.
    I jolted out of my thoughts when I realized Heather was standing in front of me, staring at me.
    â€œThe
subway
?” she asked.
    â€œOoh,” I teased. “Sorry. Is the subway not a Park Ave thing to do?”
    Heather glared, but I saw a hint of a smile. “The subway is
never
the thing to do,” she said. “You’re so lucky I’m actually willing to teach you about how to really live in NYC. Otherwise . . .” She just shook her head.
    â€œSo we hail a taxi?” I said it with a straight face, knowing she’d use a car service.
    Heather groaned and spun away from me. She punched numbers on her phone, and then slid it shut.
    â€œWe’re using the family’s car,” Heather said. “We will
not
be”—Heather took a breath—“riding the subway or sitting in the back of some disgusting taxi.I can’t believe you’d ever even think I’d do those things.”
    I laughed to myself and pretend bowed to her. “I apologize, Miss Fox, for expecting you to do something, oh, I don’t know, normal.”
    Heather started to say something back, but as she opened her mouth, the sleek car we’d ridden in yesterday appeared. The same driver got out and hurried to open the door to the backseat.
    Heather got in first and I started to climb in after her, expecting her to move over.
    â€œI. Do. Not. Slide,” Heather said. “Walk around.”
    â€œOookkaaay.” I held up my hands and walked to the car’s other back door. The driver was already waiting with the door open. “I’m Sasha,” I said. I figured I’d be seeing a lot of him this week, so he should at least know my name.
    â€œAnd I’m Paul,” he said, tipping his hat to me.
    I smiled and climbed into the car. Paul got into the driver’s seat and looked back to Heather.
    â€œWhere can I take you?” he asked.
    â€œLet’s start with Barneys,” Heather said.
    â€œTo Madison Avenue it is,” Paul said. He turned back around and the car rolled forward smoothly.
    Barneys. Wow.
I didn’t want to say that out loud andlook like a total loser to Heather. But
wow
! I’d never been to Barneys. That was a store that required serious glossing before entering.
    I reached into my purse and dug around for a lip gloss. I put back two before finding the one I wanted—Kiss This Gloss in Smooch. It was shimmery with a tint of rosy pink. I applied the gloss—making sure it wasn’t smeary—and had just snapped my compact shut when Paul pulled the car to the curb.
    â€œI’ll text you when we’re done,” Heather said, leaning forward. “Thanks, Paul.”
    Paul nodded. “Have fun, ladies.”
    Heather turned to me. “I’m going to open my door since it’s away from the street, and this time, you
can
get out after me.”
    She got out of the car and I followed her, closing the door behind me. Paul pulled back into traffic, and Heather and I were alone on Madison Avenue. I glanced up at the