New York City

ASTON

“Wow,” I said, drawing an extra breath as I stepped off the plane and onto New York soil for the first time in my life. “Breathing even feels different here.”

Blake laughed, slinging my bag over his shoulder and waving off the attendant who wanted to take it from him. “It’s the smog.”

Swatting his shoulder, I giggled and gave him a look. “It is not. It’s the fact that this is New York. I mean, think about it, New York, Blake. People come here from all over the world, hoping to make their dreams come true.”

“Says the girl from California,” he said, teasing lightly. Placing his hand at the small of my back, he made me feel all girly and protected as he guided me to the waiting town car. I could take care of myself and I definitely could’ve made my own way to the gleaming black vehicle, but I liked being treated this way by him. It made me feel cherished.

As we slid onto the soft leather of the back seats, he gave me a pointed look. “People from all over the world stream to Califor