I stopped in my tracks, my stomach dropping when Simon whirled around at my gasp. His face turned white.
Chapter 29
Simon
Ipulledintomygirl's apartment block, whistling a happy tune. I couldn't wait to see Sof. Since we hosted that barbeque together, I couldn't get the vision of having her in my life -permanently- out of my head.
She slotted in with my family like the missing puzzle piece we were searching for. Watching her flit about my kitchen, laughing and gossiping with my mom, and then floating from group to group, making sure everyone had their drinks refilled and enough food on their plate - it made my soul ache for something I knew was within my reach.
I was ready to take the next step in our relationship. I just hoped she felt the same way.
I waited by the elevator, grinning to myself like a fool. I texted her that I was still on the road to her place, but secretly, I wanted to surprise her. Lie in wait for her on the couch. Naked.
I fingered the teeth of her spare key, remembering how I almost jumped for joy when she'd slid it across the table to me. There was a nervous smile on her face as she mumbled something about convenience and not having to wait for her if she was held up somewhere. I couldn't snatch the key fast enough, worried she'd change her mind.
Having unsupervised access to her place meant our relationship was moving forward, and she was hopefully on the same page as me.
When I landed on her floor, my good mood came to an abrupt halt when Maria stepped out of her apartment at the same time.
There was no avoiding her. We had seen each other like two startled animals.
I hadn't forgotten my promise to Sofia to chat with Maria. I just wasn't expecting to be caught off guard. Especially since Maria was eyeing me cooly, her face barely holding back disdain at running into me.
"Hey," I smiled awkwardly.
Apart from a displeased twist of her mouth, she was otherwise expressionless. Shit, she wasn't going to make this easy. But it was just part of the penance I had to pay for being a shitty person.
"Listen, you have every right to say no, but do you mind if we talk?" I spread my hands out and took a small step toward her as if we were in a hostage situation and I was attempting not to alarm the culprit.
Maria gave me a disgusted glare. "What, bored with her already? That didn't take long."
"Huh?"
Maria huffed, folding her arms as she raised a brow at me, heavy in derision. "You know. Grass isn't always greener, so you decide to come back?"
"Ah..."
Shit, this was awkward. I could feel my pits starting to sweat.
"That's not what this is about, Maria. Look, can we do this in your apartment? I don't want any of your neighbors to hear."
She eyed me up and down for a brief moment as she considered my request. "You have five minutes," she warned as she unlocked her door and waited for me to enter.
I shot her a grateful smile as I squeezed past, careful not to touch her.
I looked around the familiar living space, taking in the small changes she made over the past year. I knew this would be the last time I would ever willingly step foot in this room. The only regret I had was wishing that I ended things sooner. That Sofia didn't have to see me entering and exiting her place, knowing why I was there.
My gaze caught sight of her mantle. There was something different about it.
And then it clicked. Missing was a large framed photo of Maria and Lissa. In its place were white wooden block letters that spelled out 'Love.'
Guilt flooded me, and I was reminded why I was here.
"Maria; Sofia and I are still together." I wanted to clarify that before anything else. The last thing I wanted was for her to get the wrong idea.
Maria let out a bark of laughter. "So, what, you're gonna cheat on her, too?"
It was on the tip of my tongue to correct her that we hadn't been a couple, so technically, I didn't cheat - but I would probably be kicked out of her apartment with a vital body part throbbing in pain.
