Sunday mornings in my apartment are usually quiet in the best possible way.No alarms.No deadlines.No museum donors pretending they understand restoration techniques because they watched a documentary once.Just coffee, soft music drifting through the speakers in the kitchen, and the slow comfort of a day that belongs entirely to me.
Vinny stretches across the foot of the bed as sunlight filters through the windows in pale golden strips, one lazy paw extending dramatically when I finally push the blankets back.
“Yes, your life is very hard.”
He blinks at me without concern.
I pad barefoot into the kitchen, pulling my hair into a loose knot as I start the coffee machine.Outside, the city feels slower than usual.Late October has settled fully over Chicago now, the trees lining the street below painted in a fresco of bright colors.
I sigh because I know in less than two weeks, most of the trees will be bare.It’s cold enough this morning that half the people outside already have scarves wrapped around their necks.I like this time of year.The holidays are just around the corner, and with them, the city becomes a wonderland.
The apartment smells faintly like sandalwood from the candle I forgot to blow out last night.My gaze drifts automatically toward the living room window, and despite myself, I smile.I know I should be concerned, but I’m not.It’s just his way.
The text exchange from last night loops through my head again before I can stop it.Hayden outside my apartment.Hayden somehow getting my number.Hayden making me laugh.It’s dangerous.He’s dangerous… But I won’t lie to myself; he always was my favorite crime.
I make up my mug of coffee and lean against the counter, staring down at my phone for a second longer than necessary before opening my messages.No new texts from him.Which is probably for the best.And somehow slightly disappointing.
“This is embarrassing for you,” I mutter into my coffee.Vinny meows from somewhere behind me like he agrees.
I spend the next hour pretending I’m not thinking about my ex-boyfriend from a decade ago.I fail spectacularly.By ten-thirty, my closet looks like a minor emotional breakdown occurred inside it.“This is ridiculous.”
Three sweaters lay discarded across the bed.One pair of jeans abandoned on the chair near the window.Two different jackets folded and rejected beside them.It’s coffee.Not a date.Except, it kind of feels like one.
My phone buzzes against the dresser just as I’m pulling on a cream-colored sweater that somehow manages to look effortless despite the fact I’ve clearly thought too hard about it.
Nicole’s name flashes across the screen.I answer with a sigh.“You have excellent timing.”
Her face appears immediately, dark hair piled into a sleek clip while oversized sunglasses rest on top of her head despite the fact she’s clearly indoors.“You’re just getting dressed?”
“I’m dressed.”
Nicole’s expression stays perfectly flat.“Vanessa.”
I walk toward the mirror and reach for a pair of gold hoops.“What?”
“You canceled on Spencer Thursday night.”
“I rescheduled.”
“Mhm.”
I slide one earring into place.“You’re being annoying already.”
“And you’re avoiding the topic already.”
A reluctant smile tugs at my mouth despite myself.Nicole notices instantly.
“There it is.”She points a finger at me through the screen.
“What?”
“That look.”
“I don’t have a look.”
“You absolutely have a look.”She narrows her eyes slightly.“You’re smiling at your phone like a teenager and reorganizing your entire closet for coffee.”
“I changed twice.”
