One Winter Weekend

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

M y first stop had to be Central Park. I ambled down the street, taking it all in. The big city buzz was apparent but a lot was missing from my classic New York Christmas expectations.

For starters it was daytime, so none of the twinkling lights were on and the city had not yet been hit by its first snowfall.

It all seemed disappointingly non -festive so far.

Soon I came upon a massive building right across from the park. The steps were full of people sitting around eating and talking.

There were two large fir trees on either side of the entrance decorated in red velvet bows, and matching red and gold Christmas baubles, with a large gold star on top of both. Huge classical stone columns were wrapped with green ribbon that spiralled down the entire length of each.

I looked with interest at the inscription above them that read the American Museum of Natural History.

Of course… This place was a New York icon.

I went to a nearby street vendor and bought a piping cup of coffee and a pretzel, then joined everyone else sitting on the steps.

I was thoroughly enjoying my buttery salty snack when I got the feeling that someone was staring at me.

Before I took another bite I looked around and there, only a few feet away, was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen.

Our eyes locked and instantly I was hypnotised. I couldn’t look away. He was wearing a dark wool pea coat and a well-fitted suit underneath.

His eyes were a piercing grey that changed to blue in the light. His dark hair was a bit messy, almost like the way a student would keep it and he had a layer of rugged stubble on his chin. He smiled a little at me and lifted his coffee cup in a “cheers” sort of motion. It was then that I realised I was still in a frozen state with my pretzel in the air, halfway to my mouth.

I snapped out of it and raised my cup back to him in the same manner, suddenly feeling like a messy child with butter and salt all over my mouth.

Still, he must have seen my greeting as an invite because he stood up.

He walked over and my heart immediately began to pound. Surely he would be able to hear it if he got any closer.

“Is that good?” he asked pointing to the pretzel.

“Yes, it is,” I replied.

“May I?” He gestured at the space next to me on the steps.

“OK.” I was completely confused. I thought New Yorkers were supposed to be impolite and unapproachable.

“Seems like it must be. The way you were eating it; it looked like you were really enjoying it.”

“You were watching me eat?”

“Well, yes,” he said with a grin that was childlike and made me feel like I was playing some coy game. “So how long are you in town?”

“What? How do you know I’m visiting?” I asked, with my mouth wide open.

“The way you stood in front of the building staring at it. Only folks who aren’t from around here can look at it and still be in awe. The locals are so used to it that they tend to take it for granted.”

“Well, it is beautiful. And yes, I am visiting. To be honest I came here for a classic Christmas with snow and festive decorations and all that. But so far this is the only building I’ve seen that is decorated. I haven’t been here very long though,” I stopped suddenly, feeling like I was rambling on.

Why was I even telling this handsome stranger my every thought?

“Well, maybe you just need someone to show you around. A classic New York Christmas is out there; you just have to know where to go,” he added gently. “Happy to point you in the right direction if you’d like.”

There was a long pause. I stared at him. Looking into his sparkling grey eyes and then at his soft lips.

“I think I would - like that, I mean.”

“Great. I’m Blake by the way.” He reached a hand out to shake mine.

‘Madeleine.’