‘You’re very welcome.I had fun,friend.’
We stop by my door, and there’s a long pause as we meet eyes then both glance away, as if unsure what the next move should be.Here we are, yet again, in this weird place of not knowing what the other wants.
‘I guess I’ll see you later,’ Zayden says after a long moment.
‘Yeah.’
His foot shifts towards me and I stiffen slightly.He leans in for a hug, wrapping his long arms around me and I hug him back, shaping myself into an awkward angle to do so.
He jogs down the stairs and disappears.Rolling my lips inwards, I take a second to process everything that has happened in the last few hours.
Blowing out a breath, I unlock the door and step inside.
Riley hovers near the bottom of the stairs.She smiles warmly at me, offering a wave, which I return.
‘Hey, you’re back late,’ she says, leaning against the wall like she’s been waiting there a while.
‘Went out for ice cream that turned into a celebratory drink with a friend.’
‘Oh?What bar?’
‘Kingshade.You know it?’
‘Yeah, the one with the spicy margaritas and good lighting.’
I grin.‘It does have good lighting.’
‘What was the celebration?’she asks curiously.
‘Oh, just something cool for them career wise,’ I say dismissively, not wanting to get into it.
‘A new friend?’she probes.
‘Not exactly.’I shrug.‘Zayden, Anya’s brother.’
Riley watches me closely as I kick off my boots.Her eyes narrow for a moment, and then she’s smiling again, breezy and casual.She has made a comment or two before about the popular crowds.Maybe she doesn’t like the football team.I know she doesn’t like cheerleaders – she made a few passive comments about Cami when she lived here, not that I think they ever registered to Cami.She is effortlessly oblivious to things like that.The total opposite to me.
My gaze swings around the apartment and mess is scattered everywhere.It looks like there might have been a party here.Moving into the kitchen, I grab a glass of water, offering Riley one too, which she declines with a wave of her hand.She’s in leggings and a grey oversized jumper she always wears around the apartment.
‘So, did anything exciting happen while I was out?’I ask before taking a long drink, taking in a few empty red plastic cups and a bottle of vodka with barely anything left in it.
Riley shrugs.‘The girls had a few people over but they weren’t here long.I did clean up a little bit earlier, not that you can tell.’She places a foot on the step before turning back to me.‘Oh, I watered your poor plant.I don’t think it’s had a drink for two weeks.’
‘Oh, yeah, the plant.’I wince.‘Poor thing.I don’t know how it has survived this long.’
She smiles.‘All good.Glad you had a fun night.’
‘Thank you.’
She disappears up the stairs and I exhale, eyeing the mess.I’m too tired to even think about cleaning up right now.I head straight for my room.Not even the disaster of an apartment and my annoying roommates can bring down my mood right now.
After my night-time routine, I collapse into bed, unable to wipe the grin off my face.
The next morning, I feel as if I’m floating.
I’m once again productive, and having done everything I wanted to do for the day by nine a.m., I head out for a run.Sweat slides down my neck and I drop back to a walk.Placing my hands on my hips, I focus on my breathing.Inhaling through my nose, exhaling through my mouth.
I’ve regained a bit of energy by the time I get back home and jog up the stairs.I pause as I reach my door, seeing a rose and a note sitting out the front.Picking them up, I examine the gorgeous rose and note attached.
