I press the button for the fifth floor, and the doors close right away. The elevator is quiet, and I take a deep breath.This is a fresh start, I remind myself.
When the doors of the elevator on the fifth floor open, my heart starts beating faster. The excitement of this new start, of being back in Chicago, of being closer to Zane and away from James… It’s a lot to process.
I quickly make my way to the front door and open it. Zane gave me a key when he moved in a few years ago. He had spare sets and said it felt stupid to leave them inside the house. I doubt either of us thought I would be using them to move in for a bit.
The apartment is as clean as I remember it. Zane’s style is manly, and the apartment lacks a feminine touch, but I’m relieved it isn’t a bachelor pad.
I make my way down the hallway with my suitcases and get to the guest bedroom. I am facing the room with my back to it as I pull the suitcases in, and when I turn around, my eyes well up with tears.
On the bed is a basket with shampoo, a face mask, snacks, a sleeping mask, a stuffed bunny, and much more.
I take a picture of the basket and send it to Anna. I’m about to type her a message when my phone rings.
“That is so freaking cute,” Anna says right away without saying hello.
“Isn’t it?” I sigh as I sit down on the bed.
“How was your flight?” Anna asks, and I think back on the man sitting next to me.
“I was a bit emotional, to be honest, but had the nicest guy sitting next to me,” I tell her.
“Good,” Anna replies. “I booked my flight to Jersey today. I’m leaving in two days,” she says, and she actually sounds relieved.
“I’m so happy for you,” I tell her, and I can almost hear Anna smile.
“What are your plans for today?” Anna asks, and I think about it for a couple of seconds.
“Maybe have dinner with Zane if he’s available, and if not, this face mask looks too good,” I tell her.
“I was thinking the same. Get yourself a nice bottle of wine and make it like a spa night,” Anna suggests, and I love the idea.
“I totally will,” I tell her before we say goodbye and hang up.
Zane won’t be home in another three hours, so I start unpacking one of my suitcases. I have stored about half of my clothes in the closet when I decide I’m done.
I take Anna’s advice and make my way down to grab myself a nice bottle of wine for spa night.
Chapter 4
Lisa
I’m excited to try the French wine I bought earlier and place it in the fridge. If I get to have my spa night, it will be nice and cold by then for sure.
Zane’s apartment is empty enough to have a weird echo of footsteps, and I don’t like it. It reminds me of the emptiness in James’s apartment.
I quickly play some music on my phone to drown out his thoughts and dance to ABBA. I keep dancing for at least twenty minutes before I let myself fall onto the couch.
Take A Chance On Mewas the first song I ever figure-skated to. The thought brings me both joy and pain.
I am scrolling on my phone on the couch, when in the distance I hear Zane’s footsteps approach. The sound is making me feel weirdly nervous.
I quickly get up and throw my phone on the couch. “There he is,” I say as soon as Zane opens the door and I run over to him.
“Hey, sis,” Zane says while I hold him tight. Seeing him here is like a full-circle moment for me, and I try not to get too emotional.
“I’ve missed you. Have you been working out?” I laugh while I squeeze Zane’s arm. It’s a running joke we've had ever since Zane got drafted by the Grizzlies.
“I’ve missed you, too. Did you see the things I got you? Do you need anything else?” Zane asks, and I shake my head. How can this man be so thoughtful?
