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Chapter 17
Nayome rolled her suitcase off the elevator, and stopped to fumble for keys in front of her condo’s big black door. She hadn’t needed them for a week so they had managed to bury themselves into a dark corner of her purse, under her wallet, some crumpled up receipts and a few pieces of lint. The gentleclickof her door unlocking was a welcome sound.
Leaving her bag just inside the door, Nayome made a beeline for her navy-blue velvet sofa. It had been her biggest splurge, but had done nothing but pay off.. She eagerly sank into the plush cushions, lying down and propping her head on a pillow so she could take in the view out of her floor-to-ceiling window.
Up on the 10th floor, she had a pretty good cityscape. Her condo was a shoe box, but that view made up for it in spades. Watching the city move below her gave her comfort, sirens blaring in the distance, cabs honking angrily.This is home.
Groaning, Nayome shut her eyes. Her lids were heavy with exhaustion and closing them was an instant relief.When was the last time I slept? She had left Glasgow in the afternoon on Monday, and it was still the afternoon on Monday, because of the time difference. Thanks to Bal, she hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before either. She needed to either push through it and stay awake until a reasonable hour, or give up and take a nap.
The nap was sounding like just the thing.
Eyes still closed, Nayome started slapping around, looking for her phone as it started going off somewhere to her left. When had she turned on her ringer? That noise should be outlawed, Nayome thought as she managed to fish the offending device out of her bag, slung down beside her on the floor, and shut the noise off.
Sighing, Nayome glanced at the screen.
Ugh, Nick. Nayome blew out a frustrated breath as she remembered she had told him to come by today.
After everything that had happened, after Bal…she didn’t know what she had been thinking when she had suggested it. Seeing Nick today was the last thing she wanted to do. But shedidwant that box. It had the only items her biological mom had left her, and it was precious to her. Even if she hadn’t realized it had been missing for years…
Resigned, picking up her phone she dialed Nick back.
“Nayome! Glad I caught you, how was your flight?”
“Alright, I’m just a bit tired.” Understatement of the year, Nayome thought as she struggled to keep her eyes open and stifled a yawn.
“I’m in your area now, I just wanted to check in to make sure you were home?”
“Yeah, I just got in. Just buzz when you get here and I’ll let you up.”
“Alright, see you soon babe.”
Nayome cringed as the call was disconnected. When they had been together, she had loved when Nick called her babe. Now the sound of the pet name had her gag reflex activating.
Nayome peeled herself reluctantly off the couch, glancing back at it longingly as she made her way to the bathroom. Splashing some cold water on her face helped wake her up. Staring at herself in the mirror over the bathroom vanity, Nayome took a moment to assess her rumpled appearance. Hours of travel had her looking a bit worse for wear, but she wasn’t motivated to spruce herself up just for Nick.
Had it really been just this morning that she’d been cuddled up in bed next to Bal? She tried to find a hint of that woman, uninhibited and wild, in the reflection staring back at her, but she must have left that version of herself in Scotland.
Welcome home, Nayome thought to herself, resigned.
Buzz buzz
Nayome pressed the button that would unlock the front door so Nick could start making his way upstairs, and busied herself making a pot of coffee while she waited.
A quick rap on her door told her Nick had arrived. “It’s open” She called out, hitting the ‘brew’ button on the machine. The coffee maker huffed some steam, then began to drip into the caraf.
Nick breezed in, juggling his coat in one hand and a worn out looking box in the other.
“Hey Nick.”
“Nayome, you look great.” Nick flashed her one of his winning smiles, perfect white teeth gleaming at her against his tanned skin.
“Thanks,” Nayome said, not bothering to reciprocate the smile. Nick looked great, like he always did. He wouldn’t be caught dead outside of his house looking otherwise, so that was hardly a surprise. She was just too tired for pleasantries.
Holding up the box, Nick placed it on the counter and pulled a stool up to her small kitchen island, making himself right at home. He had lived here for a few years with her, afterall, so he knew his way around. But Nayome had put a lot of effort into making the place hers after he had left. His style had always been so cold, contemporary. She had brought in soft, plush textures and warmth. Nick was out of place here now, with his intentionally swept back hair and expensive spray tan that made him look like he just got back from a vacation.
“I appreciate you bringing that back for me,” Nayome said, making her way over and cracking the lid of the box. Smiling at the familiar sights inside, she closed the lid and set the box aside.
“Coffee?” Nayome asked, grabbing her smallest sized mugs out of her cupboard so Nick wouldn’t be tempted to stay for too long.
