Me
Movie night tonight?
I waitedfor a response from Lily and Jules to see what they were up to. As promised, I’d stopped by Purrfect Blend earlier today to see Lily. We chatted, and I got admin work done on my laptop in the cat room. While I didn’t see myself getting a cat, I loved the furry little creatures. Between the cat café and Lily and Gabe’s cats, I got my fix. Plus, that meant I got to keep all my plants.
While I was at Purrfect Blend, neither of us mentioned our conversation from a few days ago, and I was happy with that. I’d almost forgotten it even happened.
Almost.
What you need is someone who allows you to take risks but is a safe landing place.
I slouched deeper into the couch, turning up the volume of the television so I couldn’t hear my own thoughts.
Out of the corner of my eye, my phone screen lit up with notifications from the girls.
Jules
Wes got off work early, so we’re grabbing dinner. Let’s do a movie next week?
Lily and I are both going to be at yoga this week, though!
Lily
Gabe and I are working on details for the storefront. We’re trying to get things open by the first farmer’s market in May.
Movie next week would be perfect, and yes to yoga!
Me
Love it. See you both soon.
Jules
Can’t wait!
I swiped out of my messages with Lily and Jules and aimlessly scrolled social media before opening a dating app. I didn’t last more than a few minutes of pointless swiping and scrolling before I closed out of that, too.
I sighed and looked around my apartment.
I had my evenings free at the start of the week because I only taught yoga classes in the morning and didn’t bartend. I was part-time in both roles, and my favorite days were the busy ones where I did both. Having evenings free was nice, but it was better when I had something to keep me busy.
Tonight, it was too quiet. Jules and Lily were busy. Gran was at knitting club. I loved my brother, but I wasn’t desperate enough to hang out with him.
I leaned my head back against the couch, sinking further into the cushions and catching sight of the cotton candy–colored sky with wispy clouds and a golden sunset. There were a few spots in town that were ideal to watch the sunset from, but there was one in particular that was the fastest for me to get to—the rooftop.
People were rarely up there, so I’d have the spot to myself to relax and unwind from the day. There were chairs and tables, along with a grill that tenants could use. I never used the grill, but I enjoyed lounging on the chairs while admiring the view.
I stood from the couch, pulled on my sweatshirt, and grabbed my things before leaving.
I climbed the stairs leading to the rooftop and pushed open the door. The chilly spring air hit me immediately, and I was glad I’d put on a sweatshirt. The weather in late April was still a little chilly in the evenings, but I wasn’t going to complain after the cold winter we’d had.
The door slammed behind me, and I pulled out the joint and lighter I had stashed in the front pocket of my sweatshirt. I didn’t smoke too often, but sometimes it was exactly what I needed to unwind from the day and relax my mind. When I smoked, it was usually alone since neither Jules nor Lily did.
I set the joint between my lips, lighting it and inhaling. It was then I realized that Iwasn’talone. “Oh, shit!” I exclaimed on my exhale, which then got me coughing. I’d gotten so used to being alone up here that I just assumed.
Great.I really needed to stop assuming.
The figure straightened and turned around, pulling an ear bud from his ear. Leo was wearing a black sweatshirt with a pair of light-gray sweatpants and sneakers. His hair was messy and damp, like he’d just hopped out of the shower.
