Lisa stands and walks into the kitchen. She opens a cupboard and pulls out a bottle of wine I don’t recognize.
“I went shopping earlier. This is a nice French wine. I’ll add a bow on top, and you’re good to go,” she says with a smile.
Relief washes over me instantly.
“Did I mention you’re my favorite sister?” I ask as I watch her carefully tie the bow around the bottle.
“Not today,” she replies with a wink. “Now go impress the girl of your dreams,” she adds with a laugh.
“I’ll see you at breakfast, sis,” I say, grabbing the bottle before heading out the door.
By the time I reach downstairs, my driver is already waiting.
“Sorry if I kept you waiting, man,” I tell Josh as I approach.
He shakes his head. “Not at all. I just got here. Don’t worry about it,” he says with a smile. “Big plans tonight?”
“Having dinner with Gwen,” I reply.
Saying it out loud sends another strange flip through my stomach. I still don’t know what’s happening to me. Am I getting sick… or is it her?
Music plays softly as we drive across town, Josh humming along to an Imagine Dragons track on the radio. He knows the shortcuts well, and the drive takes less than ten minutes.
“Have fun tonight. Call me if you need a ride back,” he says, turning slightly in his seat to look at me.
“Thanks, man. See you,” I reply before stepping out of the car.
“Zane!” Josh calls as I walk toward the apartment building. “The bottle!”
He holds it up.
I let out a quiet sigh, annoyed with myself, and quickly head back to retrieve it.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling my cheeks warm with embarrassment.
Josh doesn’t say anything, but the smirk on his face as he drives away says enough.
I straighten my shoulders, adjust my shirt, and make my way into the building. I press the buzzer and wait what feels like the longest few seconds of my life.
“Hi… um, come in,” Gwen’s voice comes through the intercom. She sounds hesitant, like something is off.
The door buzzes open, and I step inside quickly. The elevator is already waiting, so I get in and press the button for the third floor.
When the doors open, I turn left and walk down the hallway. I raise my fist to knock just as the door swings open.
Chapter 11
Gwen
I’m still waiving the smoke away with a plate when the buzzer rings. He’s here. The entire house smells like burnt food. Why did I let myself get distracted?
I quickly run to the intercom. “Hi… um, come in.”
There’s no way to change plans now. No way to pretend this never happened.
In the distance, I hear Zane’s footsteps approaching in the hallway, so I open the door. His fist is raised mid-knock when I do.
“Hi,” he says with a smile. “Sorry if I’m a little late.”
