I pass Washington Square Park, the wind blowing through my hair. It’s still pretty cold out even though it’s March.
I can’t believe I haven’t seen him since August.
It feels like we’ve seen each other—we’ve talked and texted and of course I follow him on social media. But we haven’t seen each other.
The texts and calls have gotten a little flirty too. Since he’s going back to camp, and I’m going to be head of juniors, it’s possible something might happen. . . .
I am just about to turn the corner onto Waverly Place when I bump straight into the last person I expect to see in New York City—Gavin.
“Oh!” I say. “You’re here! What are you doing in New York?”
He looks just as surprised to see me as I am to see him.
He’s wearing a hat and a leather coat—weird to see winter Gavin. Today of all days. Especially since I haven’t seen Gavin since the end of camp either.
“I’m actually here with Kat for the weekend,” he says somewhat awkwardly.
“Oh! Wow. You guys got back together.”
“We did,” he says. “For now. She’s doing a year away next year. So we’ll see.” He smiles.
“Where’s she going?” I wonder if it’s back to France.
“Montreal. McGill. She’s going with her friend Sydney.”
“Oh! Janelle is going to McGill next year, too.” Small world.
“No way. So,” he says, stuffing his gloveless hands in his pockets. “What happened with you and Eli?”
“Me and Eli?” I repeat. “We didn’t get back together. We’re trying to be friends, but . . .” We are not friends at all, actually. We say hello when we see each other, but that’s it.
At least I no longer feel a lump in my throat when I talk about him. Or see him. I’m sad that he’s no longer in my life, but it’s easier than I expected.
I messed up. He couldn’t forgive me. But I’m okay. He was a great first boyfriend, and he made me feel loved and beautiful, but that doesn’t mean he’s the right person for me forever.
I’ve dated a few people since the summer, but no one longer than a couple of weeks. I’ve been concentrating on my classes, and kicking butt on NYU’s intramural softball team, and doing student teaching at a public elementary school on the Lower East Side. I spend my free time exploring the city with Emily and Lauren.
“I heard you’re not going back to camp,” I say to Gavin.
“I’m not. I have a summer job that pays good money, at an investment bank. In New York, actually. Who did you hear that from?” he asks.
“Botts,” I say. “I’m actually on my way to meet him now. He’s in town for the weekend, too.”
“No way,” he says. “So, are you around this summer? We could hang out.”
“I’m not, actually. I’m going back to camp. I’m head of juniors.”
“Ha! Funny.”
“It was so nice to see you, but I have to go,” I say. I give him a quick hug and keep walking.
I push open the door to the restaurant.
Botts is waiting for me at the bar, and his face lights up in a huge smile.
“Hey, Rosenspan,” he says. “Wow, you look good.”
He looks good, too. Taller than I remembered. He’s sunburned across his nose, and I bet it’s from his job teaching skiing to little kids on the weekends during the winter.
“You look sunburned,” I say.
“And are you glad to see me?” he asks.
“I’m very glad to see you,” I say.
“Good,” he says. “Because I’m very glad to see you.”
He pulls me into a hug. He feels solid and warm and genuine. He smells like soap and the suede of his jacket.
I hold on to him a little longer than intended.
The summer is only three months away.