“Want me to walk you in?”
She looks my way and smiles sadly, “No, I need to go.”
I feel her slipping away, so I grab her arm and pull her toward me. I hug her tightly and smell the sweet scent that seems to bathe her skin as I reluctantly let go. I pull her face into mine and kiss her. I continue to kiss her as she moans into my mouth. She places her hand on mine and pulls away. I search her eyes, trying to figure out what she’s feeling.
“I’ll text you later?” I say in a pleading voice.
She just nods as she walks out of my car without looking back. I watch her walk up the stairs into her apartment, where she unlocks the door and walks in. I sat there for a couple of minutes, wanting to run after her. That seems to be what I’ve been doing since she walked back into my life at Starbucks that afternoon.
I pull away from the driveway and start to head back home. Instead, I decided to hit the gym before I have to do some prep work for my day of surgery tomorrow in the operating room. We have a gym in the building where I live, but it lacks all the other equipment I like to use. That’s why I also have a gym bag in the back ready in case the opportunity presents itself and I get out of work early or a case is canceled. It’s the surgeon in me-always prepared. I will be there early tomorrow as I have a long day ahead, continuing into the evening. I decide to work myself to the bone, exercising to get this pent-up frustration out of my mind and dealing with the current situation I find myself in.
I have to tell Tatiana that whatever we had is officially over. I don’t want to screw up my progress with Liv thus far. I run for what seems like forever on the treadmill until my legs want to give out. I hit the stop button and felt a sense of accomplishment. I wipe the sweat off my neck and face as I reach for my water bottle. I shoot off a text to Liv that says,
thinking of you.
I gather my things and make my way to my car, heading home. As I get into the car, my phone alerts me of a text message.
A reply of,
always thinking of you
is sent back.
I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as I reread her text message, a smile spreading over my face. I once again wonder if things had gone differently that night at the beach-if Liv and I would be in a relationship now instead of the uncertainty of limbo between us. I am willing to wager a yes to that without reservation. I will have to gain her trust and make her realize that I am the person she needs. The person she looks to for comfort. The person she looks to for her future.
ChapterTwenty
Liv
Dax dropsme off at the apartment, and I miss him as soon as I step out of his car. I get my keys and push open the door. I didn’t look back as I walked in; if I did, I knew I’d just end up running back into his arms. He is addictive. His scent overtakes my senses and makes me crave more of that man. He is most definitely all man—the way he took possession of my body. He took it freely, yielding it to his every whim. I melted under his embrace and yearned for more. I don’t think I can ever get enough of Dax. From the moment I met him, something drew me to him, a magnetic field that tethered his soul to mine. I don’t believe in twin flames, but I totally get the whole machine gun Kelly and Megan Fox thing they keep referring to about each other. That must be what a soulmate feels like. Like I was made for him and vice versa. I reluctantly make my way into the apartment and put my things down on the chair in the foyer.
As I move into the living room, I see clothes thrown haphazardly around—a shirt, a pair of pants, panties, bra, oh my. Emma had an eventful night as well. I wonder if Jameson had a good night too. I go to get a glass of water and see the door open to Emma’s room. I am about to say hello to Jameson when I look at another face—Eduardo. He pushes his hand through his hair and greets me in a bashful way that I know is complete bullshit. There is nothing timid about this man. His white tank undershirt allows for a full display of his tattoos. I must not have noticed them last night because he hid them well. They go all the way up his arms to his neck. He grabs his shirt and pants unabashed, strolling in his boxers in front of me. I am mouth open full-on, staring at the complete specimen of this man in front of me. He displays power and wealth that radiates off him in aces.
I also noticed a vibe I didn’t sense before, and it’s dangerous. I attempt to make eye contact and say, “Hi?” It comes out more of a question.
He laughs. “Hi, Liv. I’ll be out of your hair in a second.” He throws his arms out, “Just need to get dressed.” He puts his clothes on in front of me and grabs his keys off the coffee table in the living room. “I’ll see you later. Have a good day.” He winks and walks out, disappearing as quickly as he appears.
I am getting the full story when that hooker wakes up. That will have to wait until later. I need a shower badly. I shower, dress quickly, throw my hair in a messy bun, and head out to see Brodie. As much as I want to talk to Emma, I know she probably has a massive hangover, and anyway, I’ll get the scoop from her when I have more time. I usually visit Brodie on Sunday afternoons. It’s been our thing for months. I load up my Jeep and speed away to his house. The song “Boyfriend” by Dover Cameron comes on, and I think about my dilemma with Dax.
I still have many questions for him, such as who was that girl he was with and what I am to him. It’s best not to ask this stuff now and just let it play out. I thought I had lost him after I set him free. He somehow returned to my life.If they return, they’re yours.I ponder all these things as I pull up to the gated community where Brodie’s house is located. I’m let in by security and drive down the street until I approach his house. I turn off the engine and get out of the Jeep. Once again, I’m greeted by Brodie’s nurse.
“Hi, Liv. How are you today?”
I return the smile and greeting. “Hi, Melissa. I’m good. How’s Brodie today?”
“You seem happy today. To what do we owe this spring in your step? Good night’s sleep, I take it? Or not enough sleep?” she asks with a knowing gleam in her eye.
I snort and try not to meet her gaze. How she can see through me is a mystery. Melissa isn’t much older than I am, but she is much wiser for her years. She is married with kids, and I find her very perceptive about things. My cheeks immediately blush.
“Um, a little bit of both, I guess. Emma and I went out last night and danced a lot.”
She looks at me, smirking. “Well, that’s good, Liv; you need a little fun in your life. Brodie is good. Although I think he’s a little depressed, rightfully so.”
I look down at my shoes and kick at nothing on the floor. “Yeah, he has every right, I suppose.”
She grabs my arm, “Come on, let’s get you your favorite latte.”
I give her my biggest genuine smile of gratitude as we walk into the kitchen.
