The lights of Times Square are exquisite. Large flashing billboards hang overhead. People are everywhere and I swear the honking is much worse, but at this point it's almost like I've grown used to it. It's a calming sound that I think when I return back to rural life will be hard to forget.

"We could either dine fancy, or we could take a chance on street dogs."

"Have you not seen Julie and The Phantoms? It didn't end very well for Sunset Curve."

He smiles. "Being that I'm twenty-six, have no kids, and am a man, I probably shouldn't admit that I rock out to that sound track at least twice a week."

I cover my mouth with a hand to suppress my giggle.

"Hey, it's not funny."

He gently bumps me with his hip. I lift my gaze and smirk at him. I catch sight of a small dimple on his right cheek when he smiles. This is the way my night should have gone. Part of me hopes that Jayden is okay, maybe he was stuck at work, or got sick, or maybe worse - ended up in the hospital. I would feel awful if that were the case. I should have noticed the red flags. The first was when I waited for over an hour at the airport before he sent me the text that he wasn't coming. The second was when I told him I was at the restaurant and got ghosted.

"If this is a little too much, I can take you to the airport now."

I shake my head, and muster a smile. "No. I came to New York to explore, and that's what I'm going to do."

Times Square is one-hundred times better than I've seen on TV. There's a creepy guy in his underwear with a guitar and a cowboy hat, that I end up taking a picture with. Then we find a funny looking Elmo whose eyes are lopsided, and lots more music and noise. But it's all perfect.

I bite into the hot dog as we sit in the center stairs.

"So, we didn't die yet," he smirks.

"No, but these hot dogs were at least cooked on a grill and not on the hood of a car."

He chuckles. "Definitely."

"Have you ever seen a Broadway show?" I ask.

He finishes swallowing what he's chewing, then wipes along his lips.

"When I first moved here I saw Wicked."

My jaw hangs open. "I'd sell my left foot for tickets to see Wicked."

His whole body shakes with laughter. He's sitting so close that while he laughs he jostles my arms enough that I lose some mustard into the cardboard container on my lap.

Shane checks the time on his phone, then slips it back inside his pocket. "We could hit up the cancelation line?"

"The what? I don't have that kind of money."

"It's my treat."

"Wait. No. I can't let you."

He grabs the empty hot dog box on my lap and stands. He holds his hand out again. I stare up at him, not wanting to give in. Broadway tickets are ridiculously overpriced.

"Come on. You'll regret it if you don't try."

We head over to the theater. The flashing lights and the WICKED sign has me speechless. I take a photo, and he takes one of me with the sign behind me. When he hands me my phone back I check my messages. There's still not a single one from Jayden. I shrug it off and put the phone away.

***

I don't know how he did it, but we somehow scored some pretty amazing seats. The show was excellent and I was not disappointed. Seeing Wicked in person was by far the best part of this trip so far.

When we exit out into the Manhattan night there's a chill in the air. Shane unzips the gray hoodie and hands it to me.

"Here."

"I'm okay."

"Just take it, your teeth are chattering."

I laugh, and take the sweatshirt from him. As I place it over me, he turns away, and the scent of him lingers on it. It's a delicate scent - like ivory soap, but I find it comforting somehow.

"You want some dessert?"

"What did you have in mind?"

When he said desert I did not expect to stop in front of a Hershey's store. Inside it's like I've died and gone to chocolate heaven. There's so much of it I have no idea where to begin. We both end up buying huge milkshakes, and afterwards I stock up on candy for my ride back.

Back outside we head towards the center of it all again. I want to get one last look and take a picture. Once again I find myself taking a shot with him in it. This time the top of our heads are touching as we smile into my phone. As I'm taking a picture a message pops up from Jayden.

I swallow hard, my eyes begin to well, but I'm relaxed by the feeling of Shane's hand on the small of my back.

I'm sorry. I can't meet with you. There's no way I can get to Manhattan this weekend. Work asked me to go on a trip. Sorry again.

The knot in my throat grows bigger as I read the text several times. I flew all the way across the country to meet him, and he's not even in Manhattan. It was a gamble getting on that plane in the first place to meet with someone I've never met, but for him to tell me to meet him somewhere and then not even be in the area. Oh god - it hurts.

Shane, sensing the hurt I'm feeling, guides me over to where we sat earlier to eat our hot dogs . Even though it's close to midnight the city is still not tired. There are less people and the traffic has slowed, but it's nothing like the sleepy little town I'm from. I let the sights and sounds engulf me.

I know he saw what Jayden wrote. I place a hand over my chest to try and stop the building sob, but it's no use. He brings me close enough that I can smell the scent of his chocolate milkshake on his breath. Shane is still practically a stranger, but yet, out of anyone who has ever hugged me, this almost feels like home. That's ridiculous - I'm just hurt and my heart has no idea what it's saying.

"Do you think you could take me to the airport now?" I ask solemnly. "I think I'm ready to go home."

He nods. I pull away slightly, noticing I've stained his black t-shirt with tears.

"Of course I can. If it means anything, this is the most fun I've had in a long time. Thank you for touring Manhattan with me."

I sniffle, and wipe my nose with his sweatshirt. "Oh, shit. I'm sorry, I just-"

He chuckles and rests his cheek against my head. It's the most intimate gesture I've ever felt. "It's okay. You can keep it. Think of it as a souvenir."

I half-laugh and half - snort-cry. He pulls me away slightly, but keeps me at arms reach.

"I'm sorry that you came all the way here-"

"I'm not," I say, wiping at my face again.

He narrows his eyes at me. I like the way his dark eyebrows pull together and how his dark caring eyes don't show an ounce of pity.

"Thank you for showing a stranger a good time."

He smiles and I swear I catch a small blush on his scruffy cheeks.

"Let's get you home."

He once again reaches down for my hand. I'm not gonna lie, I like it - a lot.