But I can’t help myself. It doesn’t feel wrong to me—taking his photo feels like a dopamine hit, and I know if I asked, he’d say yes. There’s just something so alluring about candids. I can’t explain it.
And he’s mine, anyway.
So between work, Rissa’s visit, and sort of stalking my almost boyfriend, I’ve barely slept.
I feel a little bad, as I haven’t been able to take Elijah out again, but he hasn’t complained. He’s probably just as busy. And just because he hasn’t seen me, doesn’t mean I haven’t seen him—so I’m content for now.
As long as Bennett keeps his distance, that is.
Elijah’s gone to the diner twice in the past four days to eat—that I know of—and both times Bennett was drooling like a rabid mutt. I’ll have to ask about that.
Avoiding my own reflection as the steam dissipates, I exit the bathroom.
I took Marissa out on a walk through the woods before dinner, and we came back pretty gross and in need of freshening up. But she got to see my normal post for when I want to catch the bluebirds in the spring, so it was worth it.
After throwing on a pair of sweats, I find said woman at the kitchen bar eating a bowl of soup.
“Sup,” she greets, not bothering to look up from her phone as she scrolls.
“Hey. What’s that?” I nod toward her Styrofoam bowl, and she speaks around a mouthful.
“Potato soup.”
“Really?! Where’d you order from?” Spotting the bag on the counter, I pull the other bowl out and begin to remove the lid. “You ordered from that sandwich shop on McLain, didn’t you?”
Marissa finally puts her phone down as I post up in front of her, shoving a mouthful of warm, delicious soup into my mouth.“I didn’t order this. Elijah dropped it off.”
I feel every part of my body and mind stop working all at once.
Very slowly, I place my spoon back into the bowl.“I’m sorry—what?”
She shrugs, her long auburn hair creating nearly see-through streaks over the white shirt she’s borrowed from me.
“Yeah. He showed up about fifteen minutes ago and had this soup. He didn’t say much, though,” she tells me.
I have been a good friend of Marissa’s for a long time. In fact, I’d say she’s been myonlyfriend for a long time.
Thoughtful, present, and attentive. She really is a good person. And today, I’ve also learned that she’s fucking stupid.
“You’re telling me that the guy I’m trying to get with showed up at my house, and you opened the door in a white shirt with your fucking nipples poking through it?” The barely restrained anger in my voice only makes Marissa smile as she sets her own utensil down and stares at me almost in challenge.
“Exactly. He didn’t even ask who I was. I told him you were in the shower, and he gave me the food and ran. You should probably clear things up—it definitely didn’t look good for you.”
“No shit!” I yell, hurrying to my bedroom to grab a hoodie and my sneakers.
I dial Elijah’s number, but he sends me straight to voicemail. Or maybe he turned his phone completely off, I don’t know.
“And Row," Marissa continues. "He was very pretty. I know I saw his pictures, but he’s even prettier in person. Blushes like a doll, too. I’d definitely lock him down while you still can.”
As I reach the front door, I turn my glare onto her again.
“I wouldn’t be worrying about locking him down ifsomeonehadn’t made it look like I had a call-girl at my house!”
She snorts, turning her back to me as she refocuses on her dinner. “I don’t know why you’re so mad at me.”
“You really—”
“Rowan.” Marissa looks over her shoulder again, giving me a blank stare. “I’m saying you should be happy. Isn’t it obvious? If he caresthismuch, he clearly really likes you.”
