I have a slight allergy to mangoes.Even the scent makes me queasy.I never mentioned it to her, but she must have overheard me tell Flora a few weeks back about my mango allergy.The next day, I found that she had changed the mango-scented handwash in her home to an apple one.I noticed because it had been a newly opened bottle.She’s even started placing an extra towel for me in the bathroom, and there’s a mug in her kitchen that’s for my use alone.
It’s the small things she doesn’t think I see.She’ll swear to anybody who asks that she finds me just as annoying as she did the day we met, but then she’ll make sure I dry my hair before getting into bed.
As I watch her put a piece of chicken in my bowl, it hits me that we’re living together.Dazed, I stare down at my bowl.
Wait, no.That can’t be right.But… my clothes are in her wardrobe.I have two pairs of shoes at her place, and I’ve been keeping my chargers at her apartment.
My chargers…
I look up at Eve, a small tendril of fear unfurling in my chest.This was just supposed to be us pretending to be together.We are sleeping together, but we’re not having sex every night.Sometimes we watch a movie together, cuddled on the couch.Sometimes she’s reading, and I’m painting her nails because her feet are so pretty.Megan’s spent years forcing me to paint her nails so it’s now a skill I could put on my resume.
It’s domestic.We’re alone together.Nobody is there to see us.We’re not pretending.
Oh, I’m so fucked.
“You okay?”Eve pokes me under the table with her shoe.“You look like you’re about to have a panic attack.”
“Really?”I ask weakly.“I think I might.”
“Caleb?”The concern in her voice makes me snap back.“What’s wrong?”
I look up at her, and my heart is racing.“I—Everything’s fine.”
I need to stop sleeping over at her apartment.We were just supposed to go out on a few dates so that her ex could see us.He stopped coming around weeks ago.The friends with benefits arrangement was supposed to be strictly that.Nothing outside of sex.It didn’t mean lazy Sunday mornings and me making her breakfast.It didn’t mean going to the park for a walk when the weather was good, or checking out an art gallery on a Saturday afternoon because she’s been wanting to go for a while.
I don’t even like art galleries.
“If you say so,” Eve mutters doubtfully.“Anyway, I need to use the bathroom.Leave some of the kimchi for me.I know you’ve been eyeing it.”
I try to muster a smile as I watch her walk toward the back of the restaurant.I need to end things.I need to stop this whole arrangement before it gets out of hand.I’ll talk to her tonight.She won’t mind.Why should she?We’ll just go back to our own lives.
And besides, the launch is in a few weeks.I’ve been zeroing in on the mole.Joshua is being surveilled.I’m sure it’s him.Once he takes a misstep and I have the evidence to give to Ethan, it’s over.I’ll go back to my company, and Eve and I will rarely see each other.
The idea should be relaxing.After all, I have never been one to commit to a woman.The idea is horrifying.But the idea of not seeing Eve every day makes me uneasy.
“You’re thinking too much,” I mutter under my breath before glancing at my watch.
Where is she?
Waiting, I go over the conversation in my head.She might argue but she has too much pride for that.She’ll simply tell me thanks for everything and let me go.
Yeah.That’s it.
Five minutes pass.Then ten.What the hell is taking so long?
I get up to go look for her.Maybe something didn’t agree with her.Worry plagues me as I hurry to the toilets in the back.The hallway is narrow and dimly lit, leading toward what looks like a delivery entrance.I check the toilets, but they’re empty.
Frowning, I’m about to turn around and ask one of the servers if they saw her when I hear raised voices from outside.
“I said stay away from me!”I instantly recognize Eve’s voice, sharp with fury and disgust.A chill runs through my veins.
She didn’t leave me.She’s in trouble.
“Enough with the tantrums, Eve.”The male voice is furious and high.“Your mother chose me for you.We’re done playing these games.”
Luis.Of course it’s fucking Luis.
I move towards the door.Something in Luis’s tone has every protective instinct I possess going haywire.
