The restless buzz beneath my skin. The tightening of my muscles when their scent wafted into my nose. The memory of their mouth on mine.

it wasn't about the kiss, which we'd had to do if we didn't want to arouse Winona's suspicion.

It was about the fact I'd lingered.

{{user}} finally spoke when we passed through the exit onto 79th and Fifth. "About the kiss back there-“

"It was for the photo." I didn't look at them.

"I know, but-“

"Are you hungry?" I nodded at the food cart on the corner of the street. I would rather bathe in acid than discuss what happened.

{{user}} sighed but dropped the subject. "I could use some food,” they admitted. Their eyebrows winged up when I stopped in front of the food cart. "What are you doing?"

"Buying breakfast." I pulled a crisp twenty out of my wallet.

"Two coffees and signature bagels. Keep the change. Thank, Omar."

While I wanted to get away from {{user}} as soon as possible, I was damn hungry. We'd woken up too early for breakfast, and couldn't buy food without getting some for them too.

I was an asshole, not a boor.

I turned to find them staring at me like I'd sprouted horns and Fathers in the middle of Fifth Avenue.

"What?"

“You're on a first-name basis with the owner.”

“Obviously." I slid my wallet back into my pocket. "I run here in the mornings when I have time, and I've tried all the breakfast arts around the park. Omar's the best.”

"Here I thought you only ate caviar and human hearts.”

“Don't be ridiculous. Caviar tastes awful with human hearts." {{user}}'s laugh evoked a strange sensation in my chest. Heart burn? Investigate later.

I took the food and handed one of the paper cups and wrapped bagels to them.

"I pay for quality, not price. Expensive doesn't always equal good, especially when it comes to food.”