Me: I’m not sure why you’re all surprised. You’ve seen what I look like. Anna liked what she saw, no coercion on my end. I know it’s something you’re used to doing, Frosty, but I didn’t have to manipulate someone into being with me.
Frost: You pretentious piece of shit. Get fucked
Berlin: Sy, I’ve seen you. You’re not all that
Me: I’m here for the bromance. Berlin, your allegiance to Frosty is cute.
Marc: I’ve got nothing to say. I’m just here for the entertainment
Frost: Be serious, Sy. We know you don’t do monogamy. Pretty sure you’re allergic to it, and you probably didn’t know the word existed until today. Are you using Anna to avoid Florence?
Me: Is it really hard to believe I developed feelings?
Berlin: Yes. I’m surprised you know what they are
Frost: I’m surprised you have them for someone that isn’t yourself
I roll my eyes as I contemplate what to say.
Marc: He got jealous when Alex tried to ask her out. So the feelings are there
I know he thinks he’s helping, but I wish he hadn’t told them that. I’m not a jealous person and I don’t want them to know or use her to get under my skin. Despite being my friends, they can be assholes when they want to be.
Frost: The world is ending. Sylas Lenoir Alves jealous? No way
Berlin: No, it did happen. Alex was bitching about him. Now it makes sense. You got jealous? Damn. The world is ending. We’re fucked.
Me: Berlin, fuck you. Everett, you never had a chance with her. Piss off. Marc, shut up. Rowan, fuck you for never saying anything or having my back.
He’s in the group chat but never answers. Pretty sure he has our chat on silent.
It’s childish, but I leave the group chat. A second later, Marc adds me back to it.
Rolling my eyes, I slip my phone in my pocket, swapping it for my lighter. I pick up the gum from the island, grab two minty cubes, pop them in my mouth, and stand by the elevator, waiting for Anna.
I chew hard. My jaw starts to hurt, but I don’t let up. I play with the lighter, watching the flame rise then die out until I repeat the motion again. My head hurts, my shoulder feels tight, and I’m annoyed.
I want a cigarette, but I want Anna more.
Checking the time, I see more messages pop up, but I ignore them and draw my gaze back to the elevator.
Right on time, a soft ping echoes, the doors slide open, and Anna walks out by herself with her cart full of supplies, earbuds blaring Christmas music in her ears.
Her hair is up in a ponytail, she’s wearing these gold Christmas tree earrings and the others are small studs or hoops, she has her contacts on, and she’s in her uniform.
But unlike the other few times I caught her off guard gasping and staring at me wide-eyed, this time she pops out an earbud and lifts a brow, staring at me as if she were askingWhat are you doing here?
“Don’t look at me like that,” I chastise. “I live here, or did you forget? But let’s not talk about me right now. What are you doing here…wearing that?”
She watches me, dumbfounded, and takes the other earbud out. “Working. You know that. I come here every Monday, Wednes?—”
“Anna.Meu bem. Baby.” I wipe a palm down my face. “You’remygirlfriend.” I emphasize. “Wesaid you wouldn’t do this anymore.” I inch closer until she’s craning her neck to look up at me. “We’re still pretending, aren’t we?”
I think she’s wearing makeup because her lashes are thicker, darker, and there’s a glimmer that reflects from her lids. Her usual pink lips are slightly glossy, and she smells good, though she usually does, but it’s different.
She offers me a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, we’re still pretending, but I figured maybe I should still come and clean.”
“Why?” I absently reach for her hand, and when my finger brushes her arm, I hear her breath hitch.
