by Ashley Pullo
Smiling at Theo, Julia changes the answer. “My first podcast will spin a tale of two best friends falling in love.”
“Oh?” Shay raises her eyebrows while scanning through her notes. “Friends to lovers – I dig it.”
“Exactly.” Julia spins the ring on her finger and recalls, “The two friends met in the elevator of their apartment building on the day she moved in. He was like a giddy kid, excited for a new neighbor, but she was still recovering from an embarrassing heartbreak. They shared a pizza and a six-pack of beer while he set up her Wi-Fi. He took her on a tour of the rooftop and the laundry room, charming her with his crooked smile and goofy jokes. And later, when she was ready, he helped her unpack a suitcase . . .”
Several blocks away, inside a modest Irish pub, Paddy Hannigan raises the volume to his radio as he dries the beer glasses.
Thank you, Julia, for making us swoon. New York Love Stories premieres this week on NPR . . . Next up, I discuss the inappropriate 2015 Halloween costumes. And yes, pizza rat was sold on amazon for both the male, and the sexy female version.
“Paddy, I need a fifth of cheap scotch and a shot glass.” Darby Wallace leans over the bar, shaking her red curls for emphasis. “What the hell are you listening to?”
“Shay Scarborough on NPR.” Paddy places the single malt whisky and a glass on the bar. “Go easy, kid.”
Grabbing the goods, she turns her back to Paddy and surveys the bar. “Hey,” she says, nodding to an attractive suit to her right.
Putting away his phone, he smiles as he runs his eyes over her tight body and beautiful, Scottish features. “I can’t let you drink that cheap shit. I’ll buy you a real drink.”
Darby pours herself a shot and chuckles. “Why are you in this dump in the middle of the afternoon? No offense, Paddy,” she yells over her shoulder.
“I had a meeting,” he raises his glass and adds, “And it didn’t go so well.”
“Sorry to hear that. But at least you know what your rock bottom feels like.” She pours another shot and throws it back. “The real test will be climbing from the bottom tomorrow morning.” Following a hiccup, Darby wipes her mouth with the sleeve of her jacket.
He pulls out the stool next to him and motions for her to sit. “And why are you in a dump like this in the middle of the afternoon?”
“I was thirsty.” Darby sits on the stool and leans into him, catching a faint whiff of plum blossom aftershave as she notices the yellowing bruise on his jawline. “What business are you in?”
“Finance,” he drones.
Faking a yawn, she says, “That sounds exciting.”
With a confident smirk, he states, “You’re incredibly feisty. I bet you’re a freak in bed.”
“Wow, that’s a very bold and presumptuous statement.”
“Oh, c’mon, you and I both know we’re going to leave this bar to have sex.”
Shrugging her shoulders, she replies, “Truth. So, what’s your name?”
“Paul. Yours?”
“I’m Darby,” she slurs, throwing back another shot of whisky. “Let’s go to your place.”
Julia’s Spotify Playlist
Autumn in New York
Harry Connick Jr.
Simple Song
The Shins
Meet Me in the Bathroom
The Strokes
Fire/Fear
The Head and the Heart
It Had to be You
Harry Connick Jr.
Here’s Where the Story Ends
The Sundays
Everlong
Foo Fighters
Stumbleine
Smashing Pumpkins
Sex and Candy
Marcy Playground
Sea of Love
Cat Power
Merci Beaucoup!
With gratitude and appreciation, I’d like to acknowledge the following:
Vincent Pullo
Erika Q. Stokes
Molly Van Roekel
Marla Esposito
Nick Fantini
Christina Mock
Jamie Beshears
Brenna Rattai
Laurie Oh
Les Femmes
The Indie community
Mom & Dad
Luke & Sydney
Roscoe
New York City
Idiocracy film by Mike Judge
Let’s Be Still album by the Head and the Heart
Sonic Highways television series documented by Dave Grohl
Humans of New York created and photographed by Brandon Stanton
About the Author
**Residing in New York with her husband and two children, Ashley Pullo is an author, an entertainment blogger, and an advocate for cultural literacy.**
Hey y’all!
NYC is an amazing place to find inspiration - the random and the ordinary that make up reality. My writing showcases inspired ideas, as well as my love for dichotomy, authenticity, pop-culture, and humor.
Dreams need chasers.
Facebook www.facebook.com/AshleyPullo
Twitter @ashpullo
Instagram @apauthor
MY AMAZING WEBSITE http://www.ashleypullo.com
Find me at my local Starbucks around 3 p.m.
Other Works by Ashley Pullo
The Album
The Ballad
The Love Letters
Tess
Coming Soon!
