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I laugh “I wasn’t But I certainly wouldn’t say no if you decided to come back to my place on your own”
She wavers a little, biting at her lip before shaking her head and wiping some water from her face “No, no I better not”
“Then let et in a cab, at least”
As the rain starts to cos helplessly “Okay I guess that’s not the worst option in the world”
My so up by the park There’ll be a lot etting one in this weather”
She nods as I walk us forward, her hand in mine
The rain picks up its pace steadily as we near the end of the block, and with every increase in intensity, the volurows
By the time we make it to the end of the block, she’s damn near hysterical
“Is this kind of weather normal for New York?” she yells to be heard over the roar of the downpour
I smile as best as I can and pretended to wipe er windshield wipers “Oh yeah Happens every day This is the rainy season, don’t you know?”
“Don’t mock me!” she shouts with a cackle “I live in California I pay for perfect weather”
Perched on the corner at the apex of Columbus Circle, atch as occupied cab after cab flies by while we drown in the rain Fed up, I grab Rocky’s hand again and lead us up the street a littleone down
She follows dutifully until we get there, but when two more pass me by, she shoves me behind her and steps up to try to hail one on her own
I crossto have any better luck than I a by and hits the puddle in front of us with perfect precision
Like a tidal wave, the water splashes up and over Rocky’s tiny body, coating her in much more than a simple bath of rain
She squeaks hysterically, and it’s all I can do to stop
“Oh, for God’s sake,” I say, looking at her poor, pitiful face as the muddy street water runs down her clothes and soaks into the fabric everywhere “My apartment is within ten blocks, and you don’t even knohere you’re going Let’s just run, and you can worry about getting back where you’re going later”
She finally agrees with a nod, and we take off in a flash
Resolute in our new plan, I don’t hold back as I pull her along behind hed down by an additional ten pounds of water