“No…no! I want to know what you’re feeling. Really,” his words poured, almost fearfully.
Then he called the waiter over for the check. The next thing I knew, we were back in his Ferrari, speeding the pavement again. We drove and drove, for how long, I didn’t know. Each time I’d steal a glance over at Stenton, I’d see his brow line. He was deep in thought. In time, we reached Exit 6 on the New Jersey Turnpike. I knew instantly we were headed to Philadelphia. We ended up in Center City where the streets were aligned with bright lights and the personality of the streetwalkers ranged from stiff elites to the wobbling homeless at that hour. We made a few turns off of South Broad Street and pulled into a private parking garage inside a warehouse.
Stenton reached into the center console and pulled out a large white envelope before leaving the car. He ambled towards my side of the car and helped me out. We entered a high-rise and although I wanted to ask about our destination, my gut told me to be quiet and grateful to be with him.
We walked to the elevator and I could smell the fumes of fresh construction, although the outside of the building looked weathered. The ride up to the second level was short. He grabbed my hand to lead me out of the elevator. We did a short walk down the hallway before he stopped and unsealed the envelope to pull out a large silver key. He unlocked then pushed the door open and invited me inside. My first thought was of Stenton finally breaking and letting me back in. This must be his new place and he’s sharing it with me. I stopped in the foyer and observed the lengthy all white walls.
Once he closed the door behind me, Stenton advanced ahead of me inside and swung his arm and hand toward the place, and croaked out solemnly, “Happy birthday, Zoey.”
My forehead wrinkled, trying to understand his statement. I looked into his eyes, lost. He inclined his head, inviting me to explore the place. I found myself off, crossing the vestibule. To my immediate right was another corridor leading to a huge kitchen to the right. The room boasted cherry wood cabinetry. The stove was a material I’d never seen, and with gold button-like features. The island was huge and centered the large room. Over in the corner was a small kitchen table for two with a lovely view of the city. Across from the island was a formal table that seated six. It was stunning.
I strolled out of the kitchen and back into the hall until I found my way into the living room. It was a humongous loft with large windows and asymmetric walls. The furniture was contemporary, yet modest in size. Next, I went to the end of the same hall and found the dining room. Fitting with the motif of the rest of the place, it was extremely spacious and contemporary. In the center was a large lacquered table that could seat ten people. Overwhelmed, I turned and made my way out and back into the hall.
When I passed back by the foyer, I continued to the other side of the enormous place. I observed a large closet then a fully decorated bedroom with a queen bed. Across from that was a room with an office setting, decorated with furniture and all. Going back out into the hall, I passed a bathroom larger than my bedroom at home and my dorm. All the way at the end of the hall, I opened the door and lost my breath. It was a nursery. This was clear to me from the crib and bassinet along with the soft green paired with black and white scheme. There was an en suite bathroom decorated with a child’s theme causing my belly to flutter with excitement and my heart to melt sentimentally.
Darn hormones.
I had to leave before my tears fell. I closed the door behind me and started my search for Stenton. On the way, my phone went off, alerting a text. I removed my coat before going for my phone. When I checked it, I saw was from my sister, Ruth.
Holy fucking gaud! Did Stent just have a SQ5 delivered here?
What? I replied.
Holy shit, Zo! This shit is on fiyah!