“Please,” he begs, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
“Everett! You are not helping!”
“God, I love it when you’re mad.”
“You are insufferable. You cannot come into my darkness. You’re too…bright. Too you.” I wave my hand at his perfection.
“Okay, fine… But I could try. I’ll go where you go, hide where you hide. But I won’t ruin your plans. I would never hold you back. And if you're worried about Natasha, there's no need. I’ll protect you from her. She’s just jealous. She’ll get over it.”
Speaking of the gorgeous ex… “What were you two doing here a few weeks ago? I’ve never seen you guys come in together.” I try to hide my insecurities, and if he notices, he doesn’t comment.
“Ending things. Nat is…under a lot of pressure. I know she can be awful, but… Well, anyway, I don’t want to focus on her right now. I’ve tried to end things in the past before, but our parents pressured us to stay together. But I’m so tired of them controlling so much of my life.”
“Why stay with someone you don’t want to be with though?” I can’t help but ask such an intrusive question. It just flies from my lips before I can put my filter in place.
“Nat has been my best friend for a long time. Our parents have pushed us together for years, political stuff—" He waves his hand like it's no big deal. "—and I guess it just felt right at first, but now it seems like we are both in it for the wrong reasons. I don’t want to live a lie like that. I do love Nat, but as a friend. And unfortunately for Nat, she is under more pressure than even I am.”
I can see the way he cares for her. Want's to help her but struggles with the fact that he can't choose himself while also helping her. “I see.” I slide my eyes from him, tracing my fingertip along the rim of my cup. I believe in my soul everything he is saying, but it doesn’t change the fact that us being together would hold him back, and I will not let his future suffer, even if it means I must sacrifice the one person who has made me truly feel seen.
“I won’t let you change your light for me. You thrive in the spotlight. You’re beautiful in it. It’s part of what makes you, you. I’m not made for your world, Ev.”
He is silent for a moment.
“You’re my Leora.”
I think he meant to say mine instead of my, but I let it go.
“I need to get back to work. Just let me go, Ev. I’ll be gone in a few months, and you will forget about me.”
I stand to move past him. But he reaches out and encircles my wrist with his large, rough hand. He traces small circles against the skin of my wrist. I bet he can feel my heart-wings pounding under my caramel skin.
“I could never forget you. And I’m not giving up. You’re my Leora. I need you.”
There it is again.My Leora.
I pull my hand from his and walk back behind the counter. He sits for a while, just staring into his coffee, then exits without another word.
“Is that the boy who asked you out?” Ski’s rough voice fills the empty shop.
“Yeah.” Even I can hear the sadness in my voice.
“That’s Everett Rowan, the mayor's son.”
“I’m aware.”
“Be careful, Leora.” Ski lays his hand on my shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
“I’m trying.”
The first week after our talk in the coffee shop, I ignore him—well, try to. I still smile when he smiles at me and glance his way when I think he isn’t looking. But he is always looking at me. Always. There has been a shift between us. I am still resistant to him, but I feel myself slowly relenting, and it's terrifying. And although I’m not responding to them, the notes still come.
Talk to me, Leo. Please.
– Ev
I won’t give up on you. I can be really annoying. Sorry, but not really.
– Ev
