Prologue
The Place I've Never Been, and The Girl I Can't Remember
Freya
5 Years From Now
The winter air was numbing as it blew large snowflakes that blanketed the streets. I pulled my stocking cap over my ears, to protect them from the bitter air. I looked both ways before jogging across the street at the cross walk. The snow was new, and it hadn't been disturbed and turned into gray slush. It made the streets seem quieter, padded, and secluded. I blinked a few times, and my eyelashes caught small ice crystals and snowflakes that littered my vision with sparkles. My fingers were numb and I flexed them a few times, wishing I'd remembered my gloves.
I pushed my way into a coffee shop across the street to get a little warmth before I headed back to my job at the law firm. I was an assistant to a lawyer, Jason Cleft, who was currently on a family vacation. He wasn't supposed to be back until later tonight, but with the weather I wasn't so sure. I really had no reason to hurry back to the office.
The shop smelled like coffee, and a waft of warm air surrounded me like a hug. I immediately pulled off my stocking cap, shaking my long blonde hair to get any snow that was stuck to my hair. I ordered a large vanilla latte, and I shrugged out of my coat. I picked a place by the window so I could watch the snow. It was getting harder to see the cars driving by, and the people skittering through the busy streets of New York City. I glanced at my watch. It was getting late, and with the weather I decided it was best if I just finish my work here. I was only a few blocks from home, and I'd have to catch a cab to make it back to the office. I pulled out my laptop and shot my boss an email.
There was something romantic, and peaceful about a coffee shop in a storm. I put my headphones in and pressed play, letting the music enter my ears and flow through me, lighting me on fire. I took a sip of my latte and spread out my papers in front of me. I had Jason's schedule, his upcoming cases, his lunch orders for the week, and his kids activities schedule. I slid my reading glasses on my nose, staring at computers all day was honestly exhausting, and it gave me headaches if I didn't wear them.
I squinted and began editing his personal calendar. I was in the zone, typing away, editing his emails, making his lunch orders, and organizing his documents. I didn't even notice the man sit down at the two person table across from me.
He clearly wasn't from here, because if he was he would know the number one rule is to not sit with another New Yorker. We are traditionally pretty snotty, overworked, and sick and tired of people bumping into us, but its New York so there will always be someone bumping into us. I pulled out a headphone and glanced at him over my computer screen.
He was insanely tall, I could tell by how he towered over me even in a seated position. He wore a green plaid shirt under a canvas coat. his green eyes seemed to glow under long, lush lashes. He looked tan despite the winter chill, and his cheeks were covered in sprouting hairs. His hair was shoulder length, and blown from the wind. His mouth was hanging open, and his eyes were wide. He honestly looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Can I help you?" I asked, eyeing him.
"Freya?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Who?"
"Freya… it's me. It's Sam." He reached forward and took my hands in his. They were warm despite the cold, and rough with callouses.
"I think you have me confused with someone else. I don't know any Sam." I stared at him through my readers. "And I don't know anyone named Freya."