She’s already pulling her phone out, tapping the screen.
“Oh my god, youdidcall me,” she mutters. “Like three times. I didn’t hear it. I must’ve left it on silent again. God, I feel like such an asshole.”
“Hey, no worries, Sabie,” Eli says, still calm. “It’s all good.”
“Can you still take me? Like now? Right now?”
“Yeah, of course,” he says. “I only came inside because your brother… invited me.”
That stops her for a split second. She glances at me, eyebrows pinched, confusion flickering across her face, but she doesn’t dig. There’s no time. She’s already turning back to Eli.
“I just need five minutes, okay? I have to change, brush my teeth… Just five, I swear.”
Before he can answer, she’s bolting up the stairs. “Just hang on. I’ll be right back!”
Eli gives a small nod like it’s no big deal. But the second she vanishes, his smile slips.
And now it’s just the two of us again.
He leans against the wall, trying to look casual, but the tension in his shoulders gives him away. He's too posed… Toopracticed. Either he’s still hiding something, or I stress the fuck out of him.
Regardless, I don’t move. I keep my arms crossed and my gaze steady.
Sabine trusts him.
But I don’t. And I’m not sorry about that.
He finally breaks the silence.
“You know,” he says, voice low, “you could’ve just asked her instead of jumping down my throat.”
“I did.”
“Yeah? Before or after you cornered me like I was plotting a heist?”
“I’ve got my reasons.” I scan him again, head to toe. “You drive Sabine to work often?”
He shrugs, but it’s tight, like the gesture doesn’t belong to him. “Sometimes. Not regularly. Just when she needs a ride.”
“You from around here?”
“Yeah. Couple blocks away.” He waves a hand vaguely, like that’s enough.
“What street?”
“Why?” His smile turns sharp. “You planning to stalk me now?”
Ironic choice of words, considering the situation.
I don’t return the smile. “Just making conversation.”
“Warren Avenue,” he says after a beat. “Corner house. Blue trim. Want the zip code too?”
“I’ll check it.”
He lets out a dry laugh and looks away, shaking his head like I’m the unhinged one. “Jesus. You’re intense.”
“And you’re evasive,” I shoot back.
