I peeled back the wrapper to find a gooey little oat bar of some kind. “Is this a granola bar?”
“Unlike Elizabeth, I hike a lot.”
“You made this?” Sometimes I thought Bas was too good to be real. It was like he was tailor-made in a lab.
“It’s not that hard.”
If Elizabeth had been there, she wouldn’t have been able to resist an inappropriatethat’s what she said.
I nibbled the corner, trying to identify everything in it. I got as far as almonds, chocolate, and… “Are these cherries?”
“Yeah.”
“What did you sweeten it with?”
He shrugged. “Just some condensed milk.”
I popped in the last bite. “It’s fucking delicious. Do you have another?”
He reached below the cabinet and produced a plastic container with rectangles lined up as neat as a row of dominoes. “These have coconut.”
“Holy fuck, Bas. I’m going to have to go hiking with you one day.”
A blush crept up the side of his cheek, and I wasn’t sure if he was soaking in the praise or just plotting another way to spend time with me, but it made my heart cramp. I snagged two of the bars and headed for the door before the flush blooming across my own face gave me away.
After inhaling the two amazing candy bars Bas pretended werehealthy, I rushed home to get a shower and fetch Elizabeth. My hunger subsided along with the immediate need to get Evan to run off with my best friend so I could get a more substantial breakfast. I kicked myself for how I’d selfishly manipulated the situation for my own benefit without taking Elizabeth’s welfare into account. Evan didn’t really deserve the rescue mission I was performing on his behalf. I had half a mind to grab Elizabeth and take her to the movies. Let Evan experience consequences.
As I was toweling off, my front door rattled, and I hurried to let Elizabeth in. She barreled past me, talking before I’d even said hello. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Oh, thank God. “You’re exactly right. You can do so much better.”
She made a face like she’d smelled spoiled milk. “What are you talking about?”
“Evan.” I balanced on one foot while putting the other through a pair of yoga pants.
“I was talking about hiking. Wait.” She stepped back. “What’s your problem with Evan?”
“The fact he’s acting like you’re some kind of psycho whore.”
“And that’s exactly why I don’t think hiking is a good idea.”
“I’m agreeing with you. I’ve had qualms about him since he ghosted you.”
She stopped dead. “You what?”
“It was a dick move.”
She shook her head. “He explained why he didn’t call. And besides, we’d only known each other for one night. It wasn’t like I was his girlfriend. He didn’t owe me anything.”
“I can’t believe you’re making excuses for him. He’s sitting over at Basil’s playing the victim.” I rummaged in my drawer for a sweatshirt.
“Once again, that’s why I don’t think you should force him into a car with me for an hour as if nothing’s wrong. He needs time toprocess his emotions. I think I should give him some space.”
“Right. Give him so much space he floats away. You deserve more than a guy who treats you like that.”
“Oh, Chelsea. Seriously?” She sat on the edge of my bed. “Surely, you and Bas have had some disagreements?”
We hadn’t. “Not really. I’ve nagged at him, but he’s never kicked a coffee table out of anger.”
