She blinks at me, then shakes her head.
“I needed your address to come to you.”I shrug, shoving my hands in my pockets to keep myself from reaching for her.
She runs a hand through her hair, looking completely baffled.A thousand questions flicker across her face.
I’ve missed her.Even confused, standing in the doorway in sweats, she still looks like the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
“Can I come in?”
She steps back, pulling the door wider.“Sure.”
I enter, and she closes the door behind me.She doesn’t say anything, just turns and walks toward the sofa.I follow, with my heart pounding like a drum.
The apartment is small but cozy.Photos on the walls of her and her mom.A throw blanket is draped over the sofa.It’s quiet, so her mom must not be home.
“Oh, where are my manners?”she says, standing abruptly like her body’s catching up to her brain.“Do you want a drink or something?”
I laugh under my breath.“You know, your dad asked me the exact same thing.”
That gets a small smile from her.
“No, I’m good.Thanks,” I add.I’m too nervous to drink anything right now.
I move to the sofa and take a seat, turning slightly so I’m angled toward her.She sinks into the other end, folding one leg under the other.
“I needed to see you.”
“Well, if I’d known you were coming, I might’ve dressed a little nicer,” she says with a nervous laugh.“Sorry, I was cleaning.Slept in.It’s my day off.”
I take in the sight of her.
No makeup, cheeks a little flushed, a few strands of hair slipping loose.
“You look beautiful,” I say before I can stop myself.
Her nose scrunches as the tip turns pink.“Thank you.”
I sit straighter, pulse kicking up.“I miss you.”
She blinks.Her lips part, then press together again.
“I miss you too, but—”
I lift my hand.“Please.Just let me say this.”
Her eyes stay on me, searching.
“I’ve been so… unhappy without you.I thought getting the chief role would be this huge milestone, but it’s not what I expected.It’s busy, sure, but it’s not…” I shake my head.“It’s not fun.”
Her eyebrows lift, but she stays silent.
“Having you at work… even when you were giving me hell… was the best part of my day.You made it fun.You made it alive.I felt young again.I felt happy again.And I told your dad… I’d give it all up for you.”
She jerks upright.“Wait.You’re not saying—Did he make you quit?Did he fire you?”
“No,” I say quickly, shaking my head.“He didn’t.He actually asked me if I still wanted the job.And I told him yes… but, I want you more.”
Her eyes widen, jaw slack.
