Dedication

"For those who believe in love and know how scary it can be, don't run away, face the barriers if there's someone reaching out to you from the other side."

⁂

KATE

Lisa pinched my arm and tilted her head towards the tall, muscular guy who had just entered the bar.

"You didn't go out with Mitchel last night? You're quick," I teased her, raising an eyebrow.

"Five minutes, that's all I have to say in my defense," she laughed, and I joined in.

We were getting drunk at some random bar in Manhattan, celebrating the end of classes. Earlier, we had taken the final test, which would select one student from my class to join one of the country's biggest companies, Ryan Enterprises. It's the first time Ryan has offered a program in partnership with our university.

Although Columbia had partnerships with several other important companies in the market, this position offers the opportunity to work directly with the CEO. It would be amazing, not only because of the possibility of using this experience to build our final project, which we would have to present but also because I couldn't imagine a better way to start my career. For me, it represents an important step toward the future. The results will be out in a week.

When I mentioned we were getting drunk, I forgot to mention that my friends were more so than me.

"Where are we celebrating tonight?" Brad asked, raising his glass with a loose smile, then taking another sip of his beer. We had barely arrived, and he was already drunk. How did he still manage to surprise me?

"Yes! Where are we going, after all?" Lisa drummed her fingers on the bar counter, displaying her usual impatience.

"Edge club?" Sarah suggested excitedly, letting out a squeal. Was she already drunk too? She used to be the most reserved, even worse than me when it came to socializing.

"I think that's a great idea," Matt agreed. "The place is always crowded." He winked at Brad.

"Great!" Brad concurred. They turned to me, awaiting confirmation.

"Kate?" Lisa gave me that look.

"Sure, it's fine by me. Actually, I'm so tired after all the stress from the test that..."

"No. Absolutely not. Don't you dare. Even Sarah is excited." She scowled at me, while Sarah narrowed her eyes at her, indignant. "Don't worry, guys, I'll take care of her. Let's meet at ten in front of the nightclub. Don't be late." She warned.

After saying our goodbyes, she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bar, towards her car. We got in, and Lisa stared at me, narrowing her eyes. I sighed, showing my best-tired face. I was truly exhausted after spending the last few weeks studying like crazy.

"Don't even think about it, Collins! We both know you've spent the past few weeks cooped up at home studying for this test and how hard you've worked, okay? But now that it's over, you're going out and having fun."

"Fine, Lisa." I gave up because I knew it was useless to argue with her. It was always a lost battle.

I dozed off during the short ride back to the apartment I shared with Lisa. We had been living together for about two and a half years. I moved into her apartment shortly after starting at the university. She sort of invited me, mostly because when I say you can't say no to Lisa, it's absolutely true. So, since I was paying a somewhat exorbitant rent, I accepted.

Lisa became my best friend; I had never had one before I met her. She made me feel less lost and alone in a strange city since I moved to New York three and a half years ago. I had never been out of Texas, so it was quite a change. But I couldn't imagine a better place than New York to start a promising career.

When we arrived home, Lisa went to her room, and I knew she wouldn't come out for another two or three hours after she finished getting ready. I went to the fridge and looked for something to eat. I grabbed an apple and a bottle of water and collapsed on the couch in front of the TV, ready to watch any mindless program that was on.

Was my life always boring, or was it getting worse now? Maybe it was just my paranoia, thinking that I was the only twenty-one-year-old woman who had never had a real relationship. It doesn't matter, Kate. Dating isn't important. I had already mentalized this mantra and absorbed it. I always thought relationships weren't for me, or that I would never find someone who made me want to be in one. Maybe I had too high expectations, and maybe it was the fault of the romances I read to pass the time and escape a bit from reality.

"Kate!" I opened my eyes, finding Lisa with an annoyed expression.

"What?" I blinked, adjusting myself on the couch.

"What do you mean, 'what'? You were supposed to be ready, but you were sleeping. It's almost nine!"

I chuckled, and she widened her eyes at me but stopped when she furrowed her brow. Then she grabbed me by the arm and led me to my room.

"I hope you're fast."

"Yes, ma'am," I saluted, mocking her.

An hour later, I walked out of my room. Freshly showered, wearing a slightly tight black dress, but still able to breathe. I laughed to myself. Lisa appeared in the living room shortly after.

"You see, not all women need five or six hours to get ready," I said.

She was wearing a short red dress with thin straps that fit her perfectly, matching her dark hair, her smile, and her pair of black eyes. She also had her hair in a ponytail and silver heels.

"You look beautiful," I approached her, standing in front of her.

"So do you. But... you need to know when to stop being so basic, Kate," she analyzed me and took out a lipstick from her purse, an extremely red lipstick.

"Put it on," she ordered, and I rolled my eyes at her, but once again, I knew I had no choice. "It'll match your eyes."

"Okay," I surrendered. It's not that I didn't like makeup, designer clothes, fancy lingerie, and expensive shoes—I actually loved them—but lately, my enthusiasm had disappeared.