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It’s the feeling that I get because I know I fucking deserve this That allhaunt ant, and selfish asshole that didn't realize there was anything wrong hat I did And it hurt the one person in the world I wanted to hold and fucking protect The one person in the world I love

I watch as Ashley crosses the street and ju at me as the cab drives away The s to the cab are rolled up so it’s hard to tell, but within a few seconds the cab is gone and it doesn’t fucking matter anymore

I walk to the sidewalk, where Ashley had passed by just a few o People walk bydon, all caught up in their lives I see girls walking dogs, a hot dog vendor packing up for the evening, a kid crossing the street with a kite Everyone going about their business, in their own little worlds, not realizing that mine has just been blown to hell

New York fucking City The loneliest big city in the world

Serves ht

55

Ashley

I bite into the honey al a few flaky pastry bits from my lips I watch as Yasmine sips her medium roast coffee She ordered a chocolate croissant, which is an indulgence for her, and instead of biting into it, she's eyeing it suspiciously She's one of those woar and butter 99 of the ti out, but co brunch at Balthazar—one of those places where it's as if you've been transported to Montmartre at the turn of the century, yet it's still 2016, and it's still SoHo In other words, you don't skip the pastries at this place Besides, Yase, and she stillto do her in

"You're lucky you weren't at the club last night," she says "Soht on the stage I lost my shit—like, really lost it, Ash"

"What happened?" I ask,wide And then I do a double take “And ere you even doing on stage? You’re a house mom!”

Yashs

“Just because I’m 35 doesn’t mean that I can’t dance from time to time, baby,” she says with an arched eyebrow “Besides it makes me feel sexy”

Ohthis is just what I need to getArsen

“Feel sexy, Yasmine?” I ask, and lean in “Who is he? Don’t tell ain!”

Again, Yasne