But I wondered if she saw it, too.
If she saw how good we could be together.
That I would happily go on any and every hike she invited me on to see the spots that mattered most to her and to discover new ones. Or make whatever she wanted for dinner if it meant seeing that sparkle in her eye.
A lump formed in the back of my throat, and I washed it down with a swig of water.
I thought friends with benefits with Eliza would help me get her out of my thoughts. Get whatever attraction was brewing between us out of my system.
Instead, it solidified how there was no getting her out of my system. How the connection we’d tried to avoid and ignore wasn’t a fluke.
I wasn’t sure how I’d move on from that.
28
ELIZA
The first dayof my period was the worst. Absolute and utter hell.
My back ached, I couldn’t shake a stubborn migraine, and a stabbing pain had me curling up every few minutes as I lay on the couch under a pile of blankets with all the blinds closed. If I wasn’t on my period, I’d think I was turning into a vampire.
Safe to say there was no way I’d make it into work tonight, and I’d already called Wes to take a sick day. When I offered to call Louise to see if she’d be able to take my shift, Wes promptly stopped me and said he would take care of it. That all I needed to do was rest.
Leo and I had plans to hang out after work, but I didn’t think I’d be any fun with how I was feeling—and sex was the last thing I was in the mood for.
Me
I’m feeling like shit and taking a sick day. Rain check on our plans?
His response was nearly immediate.
Leo
Of course. Want me to bring you soup?
I smiled and typed out a reply.
Me
No, I’m good. Just that wonderful time of the month that makes me want to curl up and never see the light of day.
I pressed send and groaned, those few seconds of staring at my phone screen causing the backs of eyes to pulse and my migraine to flare. I was minutes—maybe seconds—away from clawing my eyes out. I locked my phone, set it on the coffee table, and tossed back two ibuprofen pills with water. I curled up on the couch, hoping that sleep would magically solve all my problems.
I wasn’t sure how long I was out. I couldn’t tell if the sun was still out or if it was night time. Or if it was even the same day.
There was a steady pounding in my head, like a knocking, and a muffled, “Eliza?” in the distance. I groaned and rubbed my eyes, slowly sitting up. A text notification popped up on my phone, and I reached for it, seeing Leo’s name.
Leo
At your door. You home?
If you’re home and sleeping sorry if I woke you up with the knocking.
Or with this text.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I set my phone back on the table. I slowly made my way over to the front door and pulled it open. “Did you seriously just triple text me?” I asked with a grin. A grin that always seemed to appear when I saw him.
“I was about to text you a fourth time making sure you’re still alive in there.” He pocketed his phone in his jeans. “Hey, Trouble.” He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to my temple before stepping inside and letting himself in. He went straight to the kitchen, setting a paper bag on the counter.
