"He ruined it." The words tumbled out. "Eric showed up and scared off my date and claimed to be my boyfriend and I just?—"
"Slow down. Eric was there? At your date? You had a date?"
Right. I hadn't updated her on my potential one night stand since I knew she'd frown at it.
"Yes, I did. And Eric rocked up. He just appeared like some—some stalker and threatened the guy and?—"
"Ivy." Elena's voice turned serious. "How did he know where you were?"
I blinked as the light turned green and I continued driving. "What?"
"How did he know where to find you? You didn't tell anyone about this date, right? ‘Cause I didn't even know."
A chill coursed through me at her words. I'd already considered it when I saw him there, but having someone else say it out loud was just icing on the cake.
"Has he been following me?"
"Maybe. It just seems too coincidental, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, fucking creepy actually. So now he's stalking me. Guess he wasn't all that good after all," I muttered.
"Come to my place. Jackson and I are having a quiet night in. You shouldn't be alone right now."
"No." I pursed my lips. "I just want to sleep. Forget this whole disaster of a day."
Was it actually that I didn't feel like third-wheeling their perfect little relationship while I couldn't even get laid due to my ex butting his head in? Maybe.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'll call you tomorrow."
I hung up before she could argue, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel as I made my way home.
How dare Eric. How dare he show up, interfere, act like he had any right to my life after ghosting me for four years.
The anger carried me home, up the stairs to my apartment, and through my front door. I stripped off the dress and heels, scrubbed off the makeup, and stood under the shower in hopes that the heat would burn off some of my fury.
By the time I'd wrapped myself in my soft robe, the anger had faded to exhaustion.
I actually was tired now. Still annoyed, but there was no way I could get answers. Maybe I shouldn't have driven off, maybe I should have demanded to know more things from that bastard.
Like why he was following me. And if the big opportunity had been worth it all.
I padded to the kitchen for water when someone knocked.
Three sharp raps, confident and insistent.
I sighed, wondering if Elena had decided to force company on me tonight. I wouldn't put it past her.
The knock came again, and I grumbled softly.
I looked through the peephole, and my breath caught.
Motherfucker.
Eric stood in the hallway, holding flowers. White roses mixed with something purple I couldn't identify from this angle.
"I know you're there," he said quietly. "Please. Just give me five minutes."
