Chapter 41
Forty-One
Four months later.
“Is this really necessary?” Colby asked as he pulled the black fleece neck warmer that hugged his chin up to his lower lashes.
“You are so dramatic!” Kenny scoffed. “I’m sure temperatures got colder than this in South Dakota during the month of January. Keep walking.”
It was a Sunday afternoon and they were power walking along the Hudson River.
There were signs of sunshine hiding somewhere behind a thick grayish-blue blanket that covered the sky but the cold, crisp air and chilling winds that blew off the water made it feel like it was going to snow.
The city lingered in the quiet and sleepy state that occurred when the holiday season tourists, who invaded Manhattan from the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and loitered until a few weeks after New Year’s, had finally gone home; and lasted until early February, when locals who had hibernated long enough in their tiny apartments began running and biking outside with proper layers of Polartec and dined on sidewalks under heated lamps and restaurant provided blankets.
“Why can’t you be like every other single girl in New York?
Curled up under a blanket on your couch with a glass of wine and swiping left and right through the catalogue of men who live on the apps in your phone.
This is prime cuffing season, and you could be missing spectacular matches.
Your Mr. Right could’ve just been snatched up by some undeserving chick sitting in that apartment, right there.
” Colby pointed to a random window of a high-rise building on Riverside Drive.
“All because you’re out here in the elements.
You can’t burn that many more calories by exercising in the cold, can you? ”
“If you keep talking, I’m going to pick up the pace,” Kenny said, her breath becoming more visible. She was frozen to the bone but wasn’t going to give Colby the satisfaction of letting him in on her secret.
He surprisingly obeyed. She planned to turn around and allow him to speak again when they reached the Pier i Café around West Seventieth Street, so she embraced the silence for a few more moments.
During the warm months, this was the spot she would come to write and watch sunsets.
While she had been furiously writing the romantic comedy since she returned from Hilton Head and was close to submitting the manuscript to Muffin Evans for review, Kenny realized that she hadn’t watched or noticed a sunset since the night she ran into J.P.
at the Harbour Town Lighthouse. She had a sudden yearning to see one, but the root of the yearning was hard to decipher.
Was she craving a beautiful production by Mother Nature or was she still thinking about J.P. ?
“What is cuffing season anyway?” Kenny asked as she pivoted on her heels, queuing to Colby that they had reached the halfway point in their workout and invited him to converse.
“It’s already halfway through, so you best hop on the bandwagon soon, Queen.
According to the New York Post it’s the time between October and March when people look for cold-weather partners to keep them warm.
Relationships usually peak around Valentine’s Day.
” He jumped on the chance to engage once again.
“So, it’s like a socially acceptable, casual hook-up period?” she interpreted, like she was interested.
“Yass, you get it, girl! It’s a generational movement. That same article also said that airports are the hottest places to meet people, which is perfect for your lifestyle. Maybe you can add Mile High Club member to your long list of travel credentials this cuffing season.” He excitedly clapped.
“Colby!” Kenny snapped.
“National Car Rental Executive Club, Delta Gold Medalion Status, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite,” he rattled while ticking off his fingers.
“As much as I would love to be a success story profiled on Page Six for heeding their profound dating advice, I’m not participating in cuffing season or adding anything to my travel resume.
But I was thinking about texting Ed,” she cautiously said.
“He’s a nice guy. I should’ve given him a second chance.
” She gazed out over the water wondering if she could be fair to Ed or herself on a second date; or if her mind would be somewhere in South Carolina.
“You are full of surprises today, you little minx! You finished the manuscript for your romantic comedy and you’re ready to date again. I love it! I love it all!” Colby threw his left arm around Kenny’s neck and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m proud of you.”
“You’re just saying that because you know those two actions will make your boss and cube mate happy, paving the way for manageable days at the office for you,” she nudged his side from under his headlock.
He halted and gripped her shoulders with both of his hands. She was slightly taken aback.
“I mean it, Kenny. I’m proud of you. I don’t know what happened down in Hilton Head; I don’t know what was in the water or what was in the air, but it agreed with you.” He hugged her tightly.
Kenny stood still, and let Colby embrace her while a few soft tears slid down her face.