some interesting people. A part-time DJ and dog walker, a girl who was out with her friends because she just broke up with her boyfriend Gino, and last but certainly not least, the Idris Elba look-alike named Kari.
Kari was super sexy and there was no denying it. Through our conversation, I learned that he was around my age, worked in midtown as a publicistâcrazy coincidenceâand he was born and raised in Brooklyn.
He fidgeted with his black, button-down shirt as he cracked corny jokes and talked about his love for travel. Beyond the physical, I thought he was endearing.
We both scanned the room and bobbed our heads to the music. I tried not to stare at him when he wasnât looking.
âSo did you leave a man back in California?â he asked after a long stretch of silence.
His chocolate, flawless complexion and sensual, brown eyes had me mesmerized. âWell, uh, I wasnât reallyâ¦short answer, no.â I didnât expect that question and I had begun fidgeting myself.
âPerfect. So can I take you out sometime?â
I was concentrated on his full, kissable lips, but I managed to respond, âIâd like that.â
âAre you available Thursday after work?â he inquired, looming over me roughly at six feet two with excellent posture.
âYeah, Iâm free.â I was definitely intrigued by Mr. Kari.
Normally you had to play the game of giving a guy your number, then he would wait the obligatory two days to call, only to end up playing a game of phone or text tag. Then you finally established firm plans for a date roughly two weeks later, only to realize that he wasnât as cute or interesting as you remembered. It could really be a waste of your time. So Kari was an introduction to a new way of doing things. Like I said: brand-new city, brand-new me.
Chapter 4
New Lust
T o my surprise, the next morning I received a text message from Kari. This naturally made me smile like a kindergartner with a cookie. But a million thoughts also went through my head. I was used to the typical Los Angeles men who played entirely too many games and almost acted as if you were supposed to chase them. Despite my reservations, the new approach from Kari was refreshing.
I responded to his message with a safe, âMorning, sunshine.â He wished me a lovely day and that was the end of the communicationâwhich was fine with me. Sometimes too much too soon could be a bad thing.
Admittedly, my day was a bit brighter since I had someone handsome to daydream about. New like was always the best phase in a relationship. Youâre in a state of endless possibilities. You could create whatever story, fantasy, or background you wanted to dream up because you hadnât had the opportunity to experience the new person.
âScottie!â
I was quickly snapped out of my thoughts.
âHave you had a chance to start working on the RSVP rundown for the Sting event?â
It was Barbra, my manager.
âYes,â I said, suddenly alert. âIâve established the email address and drafted the copy. Iâll email you the copy for review right now.â
âPerfect! Thanks, hun!â
Barbra was so cheerful, it seemed as though she didnât have a care in the world.
I was actually excited about working the Sting fundraising concert. It was my first event in the city and it was at an amazing loft space in Tribeca. I had worked plenty of events in Los Angeles, but I wasnât quite sure what to expect from the New York scene.
As I clicked back into the screen with my personal email open, an Instant Message popped up. My heart paused. It was Ivan. I had forgotten to block him.
11:02 AM IVANdaMan: Whatâs up? How is New York treating you?
11:07 AM SassyScottT: Great so far.
11:08 AM IVANdaMan: So why did you leave me?
11:08 AM SassyScottT: Contrary to YOUR popular belief, not everything is about you, Ivan.
11:10 AM VANdaMan: You know what I mean. You