"Oh-my-god, she didn't. That's terrible," I say.

Instead of sitting in the back, Shane invites me to sit in the passenger seat beside him for the drive to the airport. We've only been in the car for fifteen minutes, but neither of us have stopped talking.

"She did. And then after prom I saw her and my friend Richie making out."

"Oh no!"

He shakes his head. "I told you it was screwed up."

"I don't have a prom story, but my first kiss was with my best friend Rachael."

He glances over at me, and it's the first time I've spilled the beans about my sexuality to anyone. At fifteen I knew I was attracted to both male and females. My best friend at the time, Rachael, was one of them. She was the sporty-type. Always had her hair up, and a sports uniform on. It wasn't only her looks that attracted me to her, but at the time she was the one person I could always count on.

"How did she react?" He glances over briefly, a smile on his face. I love how he just accepted it.

"Okay, at first. She was shocked."

I laugh, and he smiles. "Did you two date?"

"No. She started to get weird when I explained why I kissed her. After we drifted apart. It sucked losing my best friend. But it's all good, because I met my best friend through an LGBTQ group at school, and he and I have been friends since."

"Funny how things work out, isn't it?" he asks.

I look over at him, and he briefly smiles back, before paying attention to the road. There was some minor traffic, but it opened up and we started picking up speed. Part of me wishes I was brave enough to yell at him to turn around. To tell him I wasn't done touring Manhattan with him, but I have to go home, I've got nowhere to stay, and I need some time to process the past few hours.

Our conversations are light and easy. I love how comfortable I feel around him after only knowing him for such a short amount of time.

"Are you sure I can't pay you a little extra for taking up your shift tonight?"

He shakes his head as he pulls into the airport.

"Don't be silly. I wanted to, and I made a friend in the process."

I smile at the idea of being friends. When I came to New York I imagined things going differently, but after what happened, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"Let me help you with your luggage."

He steps out first, opens my door, then walks around to the trunk. He pulls out my small black suitcase and rolls it over to me. I step out of the car and we stand there staring at each other, unsure of what to do next.

"Thank you. For dinner, for Broadway, and being the kindest New Yorker I've ever met."

He laughs at that. His eyes fall upon my lips and when he realizes he's been caught, his cheeks redden.

"Of course. I had a really nice time."

He reaches up, and with all the confidence in the world, tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I shiver, enjoying the way his fingertips felt as it grazed the top of my ear. We stand there in the most beautiful silence, just watching how the other reacts. His other hand gently grabs hold of mine and he tugs me closer. His thumb on the hand that touched my hair, slowly gravitates towards my bottom lip. He gently runs it along the edge and I suck in a trembling breath.

"Have a good night, Dakota," he whispers, leaning his head against mine.

I close my eyes, trying to savor the moment. What I wouldn't give to stay here in Manhattan, but it's impossible. For a brief moment his lips touch mine, but it's nothing more than a simple touch. For something so minor, the zap that surges through me is so intense I nearly gasp for air.

"Goodnight, Shane."

I wrap my hand around the handle of my suitcase and start to roll it inside. Before I reach the doors, I glance back over my shoulder. He's still standing there, watching me go. We wave and I walk away.

It takes me a while to get through the airport. Luckily, there's a flight, but it's not until eight in the morning. I still have a few hours to kill, but I could charge my phone and get something to eat. I hit the bathroom first and stare at my reflection. It's no wonder he was trying to tame my hair, it's an unruly mess. It's been a long day, and I've been up for twenty-four hours. I'm so tired, even my light grey eyes are red and puffy.

I head back out to find something to eat and search for an outlet. I grab a simple turkey sandwich, and settle down at a table. I pat my jean pocket for my phone, but there's nothing there. I pat it again. Shit. I left my phone in his car. I rest my elbow on the table and rub my head. I don't know his number, and it's not like I can call Uber and stalk him.

My stomach hurts, and the aggravation of the past twenty-four hours starts to settle over, like a heavy weight tied to my shoulders. I push the sandwich aside and rub at my temples. There's a light throbbing just below where my fingers are touching. I wish there was somewhere I could take a nap, but I don't feel comfortable doing so, without someone to watch my things.

I throw out my sandwich and go to sit near the gate, even though there's still so many hours to spare. It's nearly four in the morning, and slowly the darkness is turning to light, I can just see a touch of the sky lightning a bit on the horizon.

My head keeps slowly nodding off to the side. I hold onto my belongings tight. I'm trying my hardest to stay awake and alert, but my body is failing me. For the first time ever, I wish I drank coffee. My eyes can't fight it any longer, and they soon close and darkness consumes me.

A light caress on my cheek causes my eyes to flutter open. I blink several times. Familiar green eyes grab my attention. His dark hair is wild and crazy, and his eyelids appear heavy. He seems as tired as I am.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"You forgot this." He holds up my phone. "I went home, showered, and tried to get myself some caffeine. I was about ready to head out to an Uber call when your phone went off. Your mom said to call her. Make sure you do, I think she thought I was some crazy guy who stole your phone."

A small laugh leaves my lips, but everything aches. I close my tired eyes again, and when I open them I realize it's light outside. I check the time on the small clock across the way. 

"I think I missed my plane. I'm such a mess." I lazily laugh.

He smiles, and reaches for that same strand of hair that keeps falling over my eyes.

"Wait, how did you get over here?"

He holds up a ticket. "Looks like I'm taking a mini vacation," he chuckles.

"You bought a ticket just to make sure I got my phone back?"

He glances down and bites his lower lip. "I would offer you my shower and a nice warm bed, but I'm not sure you want to go home with a stranger. I have a spare room. Well, there's a guest room at my parents' house. I hate to admit this, but I moved back in with them a few months ago after my landlord decided to sell and I had nowhere to go."

He runs a hand through his dark hair, then fidgets with the belt loop on his jeans. When he glances back up at me, I'm met with worried eyes. His forehead crinkles a little.

"You don't have to be ashamed. I live with mine too. Saving up for a place of my own. The question is do your parents want a stranger in their house? I mean I could totally rob you blind."

"You could." He smirks. "But I'll take my chances."

I laugh. "And so will I."

The guy bought himself a plane ticket, totally not even meaning to get on a plane. I'll have to pay him back later. His smile reaches his eyes, and the dimple on his right side appears.

I look up at him through my lashes. "I've taken a bunch of chances in the past twenty-four hours. What's one more," I say.

He stands, and holds his hand out. His eyes meet mine, and I can't help but feel glad that I made the trip all the way here. Even if I didn't get to meet the person I thought I would, I stepped out of my comfort zone and met someone even better.

I take his hand and he pulls me up and into him. His hand snakes around my waist. I suck in a breath as his head lingers over mine. I love the way his warm breath dances over my lips.

"Dare to take one more chance?" he asks, his voice comes out in a sweet velvety mixture.

Instead of answering with words, I do it with my lips. They crush against his lips, and he tugs me further into him. I open my mouth almost immediately, allowing him in. There's something about the way he holds onto me that makes me feel safe. He gently cradles my head in his hands as he continues to kiss me.

I flew across the country expecting to fall head over heels for a guy I'd been chatting with on the internet for a year, instead I met a stranger, who took my breath away in just one night. I don't know how it's possible, but it happened, and whatever the future holds, I'm forever grateful to whatever force brought us together.