A sense of calmness washes over me, and I grab a suitcase from my closet. I’m not really sure what I’m going to need, so I just start picking things at random.
A few outfits for the club, lounge wear, boots and shoes. From the dresser, I pluck PJ’s underwear, and a few pieces of jewelry I’m going to want.
I have to remind myself that this is not about anything but my safety. Still, sorting through all these feelings for Zayne right now has to be put on hold. Getting Nik free and helping defeat Jasper has to take priority. Maybe after all is said and done, we can explore where these feelings go.
As I finish packing the essentials, I decide to dump everything from my fridge. If I'm not going to be home, I’m certainly not coming back to the fridge packed with rotten food. Memories of returning from a vacation Nik and I took flood my mind, and I cringe.
“Damn, what’s that’s smell?” I ask as I walk in, leaving my luggage next to the door.
“Jesus, what died?” Nik waves aimlessly around as if to shoo the smell.
Looking around, I find the culprit: a bunch of rotten bananas and a large swarm of fruit gnats having a feast. Trying not to gag, I grab some paper towels and move the garbage bag under the counter. Slowly, I slide the nasty carcass across the counter before dumping it in the garbage.
I don’t waste any time, and holding it out arm’s length, I rush out the door. All I hear is Nik’s laughter trailing behind me as she watches me run to the dumpster.
I chuckle out loud at the memory. Next to me, my phone buzzes, and Zayne’s name flashes on the screen.
Zayne: Hey I’ll be there in 15.
Me: Ok, I’ll meet you downstairs.
Once outside, I’m greeted with a mischievous, sexy grin from the man I can’t seem to shake from my every thought.
“Hey, baby, need a ride?” he says with a wink.
In the few days I have been with Zayne, he has always been so serious, so seeing this side of him, a playful side, puts me a little at ease. Under the circumstances, it’s a nice surprise.
Playing along, I answer, “As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Where are you going, stranger?”
“Wherever you're going?” He raises his eyebrows mischievously.
Unable to keep a straight face anymore, I bite my lower lip to stifle a giggle. Zayne’s throat bobs, and his brakes squeak at his abrupt stop as he puts the car into park. He steps out quickly to help me with my suitcase.
“Are you sure about this, Zayne?” I ask more seriously.
His laughter dies, and his face turns somber.
“Yeah, Myssa, it’s not safe for you to be alone, and it’s going to take time to find out what needs to be done to stop Jasper from the warpath he’s on.”
“Got it,” I nod, as the mention of Jasper reminds me of what this is all about. It’s not about us, this roommate thing is only temporary, but I can’t help but want more.
He pulls my backpack off my shoulder, and the heat from his touch provides proof these feelings I have are not going away as the goosebumps ripple down my arm. After grabbing my suitcase, he puts both in the trunk. Wringing my hands nervously, I continue to watch him get closer to me. I’m drowning in all these thoughts, and I’m starting to second-guess my agreement to this.
“Myssa?” he asks. I blink as he pulls me out of my thoughts.
I look at him, wondering what the question is, but then I see him standing there with the passenger door open, waiting for me.
“Oh yeah, right, sorry. Thank you.” I shuffle in.
He closes the door, and I watch him walk in front of the car over to the driver’s side. I take a deep breath as reality hits me of the proximity we are about to be in. We are going to be living together, in the same house, maybe just a room away. Excitement and panic clashes inside me.
As he gets in, he grabs two keys from the cupholder.
“These are for you, so you can get in and out of the loft. This way, you can come and go as you please.”
After taking the keys, I put them on my keychain. I’m honestly not sure how Zayne feels about me, and perhaps my feelings are one-sided. But at the very least, I think we can be friends. And it’s a start. I don’t want to be pitied, though. That shit won’t happen, I refuse. I get these circumstances are unique.I need to figure out what all this is about, and my part to play. For some reason, I feel like it’s an important one, and that’s the only thing holding me back from trying to pursue anything with Zayne.
