“I imagine not.” Tilting my head, I study her face closely. “But I don’t think honesty makes you a bad person.”
She swallows hard. “I still hurt someone.”
“Yes, you did. But it also sounds like you were in something unhealthy long before that happened.”
Her lips part slightly, but I continue before she can speak.
“I’m not excusing it. But I don’t think most people cheat because they’re cruel. Sometimes, I think they do it because they’re drowning and nobody's around to offer a hand.” The wind picks up, sending loose strands of hair whipping across her cheek. I reach up without thinking and tuck them back behind her ear as I lean closer. “I don’t want to end this. Not tonight.”
Her gorgeous eyes start to glisten. “You don’t?”
“No. We just kissed, and I’d like to do it again.”
A shaky laugh escapes her throat as she rests her forehead against my shoulder. “I don’t know what I’m capable of right now. But I know I don’t want to hurt anyone again.”
“Then let’s not promise anything we can’t give.”
Arya pulls back to look at me. “What are you suggesting?”
“Just this,” I say, gesturing between us. “Conversation. Companionship. Maybe another slice of pie at my apartment if you're interested?”
Waves crash against the shore, seconds seeming to stretch while Arya’s breathtaking smile slowly curls her lips. “I think that sounds amazing. Lead the way.”
It takes us about fifteen minutes via rideshare to get back to my place.
Neither of us talks much on the drive. City lights blur past the windows, smearing gold across the rain-streaked glass. The driver has the radio on low, some indie rock song humming beneath the roar of tires on wet pavement.
Arya sits beside me, knees angled toward mine. Our hands are still linked, resting on the seat between us, and I keep catching her reflection in the window. Every so often, she'll open her mouth like she wants to fill the silence, but then her brows furrow and her lips snap shut. I'm absolutely dying to know what she's thinking.
My phone buzzes in my purse, probably Ryann or his twin brother Declan asking for something work-related, but I ignore it for now.
This feels more important.
The car slows as we near my building, a converted brick complex tucked between two newly built high-rises. Warm light spills from the lobby windows.
“Here we are,” I say softly.
Arya nods, taking it in. “Looks really nice.”
We both thank the driver and step out into the cool night air. Inside, the lobby is quiet save for the doorman, who rushes forward when he sees us.
“Got caught in the storm, Ms. Sinclair?” he asks, his eyes taking in our water-logged appearances.
“Fifth floor, please, Danny,” I tell him pointedly, placing myself in front of Arya when his gaze lingers on her chest a little too long.
The man smiles apologetically before calling the elevator, and Arya giggles once we step inside. “I feel so fancy, I've never been in a building with an elevator person.”
“Doorman,” I correct, smiling. “He goes by Danny. He's one of the new ones, but he's pretty nice.”
She drops her gaze, letting go of my hand for the first time. “I'm not really arealadult. I've never technically lived on my own. There were the dorms in college, and then I lived with my ex for a while, but… mostly I've just stayed with friends.”
The doors open, and I lead her down the brightly lit hall toward my apartment. “Where are you staying now?”
“A hostel about ten minutes from CalTek.”
I freeze with my key in my hand. “A hostel?”
“Oh, it's pretty safe,” she rushes out. “At least, so far. Everyone's super nice and I only had to beat off a creep once.”
