We've Always Got New York

by Jill Knapp

  Olivia must have noticed my disoriented state because the next thing I knew, she was dragging me outside for some fresh air.

  ‘It’s freezing out here!” I nearly shouted as soon as she got me outside.

  “You look like you’re going to throw up,” she said in a mothering tone. “How much have you had to drink?”

  “Nothing! Michael just came over to talk to me.”

  “How did that go?” she asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

  I decided to tell her the truth. “Well, Olivia, it appears I have been given ultimatums by not one, but two men in my life.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I pulled my jacket around me tighter and made a silent vow that one day I would move somewhere much warmer.

  “Michael came up to me and told me he wants to date me. He gave me a speech not unlike the one he gave me last year. The thing is, he told me I have only until the end of February to decide.”

  “Wow,” she said in a breathy laugh. “That’s a large pill to swallow. Now, what’s the other ultimatum?”

  “After I told Hayden what happened with Michael, he was understandably pretty upset. He told me if I wanted us to stay together then I essentially needed to cut the crap and make it official with him. We would need to be dating exclusively, and I would have to promise that nothing like what happened with Michael would ever happen again.”

  “That sounds fair,” Olivia said. “The two of you have been dating for nearly six months.”

  “There’s one more thing,” I said. “Hayden also told me that if he and I stay together, I have to cut Michael out of my life entirely.”

  Olivia just nodded.

  “Don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?” I asked with wide eyes. I already knew the answer, but I was still looking to be let off the hook for what I did.

  “No, I don’t,” she answered quickly. “You had sex with him, Amalia.” She shook her head and I felt her being a little judgmental. “I know it’s going to be hard, considering you have to see him at school, but how do you think you would feel if the situation was reversed? I’m sorry, but I understand where Hayden’s coming from.”

  My shoulders sank and I let out a sigh. “I guess I do too.” I started to shiver from the harsh winter wind.

  “I’m not trying to make you feel bad, I just want you to know that I don’t think Hayden’s being unreasonable,” she softened.

  “You’re right,” I let out a sigh. “He’s not.”

  “And honestly, are you and Michael going to be pals if you pick Hayden? How long will you be able to grab coffee together, and hang out on the High Line before one of you starts wanting more again?”

  She was right. Michael and I had never really been just friends. There had always been underlying tension, even when I was dating Nicholas.

  So what are you going to do, Amalia?” She raised both of her eyebrows. “Who are you going to pick?”

  There I was, faced with a similar choice to last year’s. Only this time, there was another person’s feelings to consider. Hayden’s. No matter what, I had to come to some sort of decision. There was no running away this time. No flights booked, no packed bags, no escape. Both guys lived in New York and this was a small island.

  I had to make a choice.

  I looked at Olivia, who was patiently waiting for me to answer.

  “You’re a good friend, you know that?” I said, allowing myself to smile for the first time in days. “That’s why I know I can trust you. I know who I am going to pick. But if I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not even Alex.”

  “I can do that,” she nodded.

  “Good,” I grinned. I looked back and forth and whispered my answer in her ear. I didn’t want anyone from the party overhearing us.

  I stepped back to gauge her reaction. Her face remained neutral.

  “I promise,” she said, putting her right hand over her heart. “I won’t tell anyone.”

  “We’ll talk about it more tomorrow,” I said, nervously twirling my hair. “But for right now let’s go back inside and enjoy your engagement party!”

  “Wait! One more thing,” she uttered, just as I turned to go back inside. “I was wondering if you would consider being my maid-of-honor?”

  “Hell, yeah!” I nearly shouted. Olivia beamed and lightly tugged on the end of her dress. She did a quick twirl and we both laughed

  I held the door open for her and we walked back into the restaurant together. As soon as I got inside, my phone began to buzz. It was a message from Hayden. A moment later Michael caught my eye and smiled. I put my phone back in my purse and went to introduce myself to Olivia’s mother.

  I knew who I was going to choose. But for right now, I wasn’t going to think about that. Tonight, I had one job. I was going to assume the position of Olivia’s maid-of-honor. Tonight was about my fabulous friend and her wonderful news. So I raised a glass of champagne to toast Olivia and her new husband-to-be.

  Everything else could wait for another day.

  Also by Jill Knapp…

  What Happens to Men When They Move to Manhattan?

  Jill Knapp

  I’m currently a blogger for The Huffington Post, and a former college professor. What Happens to Men When They Move to Manhattan? is my debut novel, and the first in a series of books I am writing about being young, single, and living in New York City. I am a native New Yorker, but currently reside in Raleigh, North Carolina.

  You can follow me on Twitter @JL_Knapp.

  About HarperImpulse

  HarperImpulse is an exciting new range of romance fiction brought to you from the women’s fiction team at HarperCollins. Our aim is to break new talent from debut authors and import the hottest trends from the US, bringing you the very best in romance. Whether that is through short reads for your mobile phone or epic sagas that span the generations we want to proudly publish romance fiction that gets everybody talking.

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  Writers, we are simply looking for good stories! So, what are you waiting for? To submit, e-mail us at romance@harpercollins.co.uk.

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