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Just because I had feelings for him didn’t mean that I had to act on them. It would be better if I didn’t. Things had been terrible after Robert found out and I bailed. I didn’t want to ruin anything. I didn’t want to run again.
“This is the one,” I told them both.
“Excellent,” Cassie said, beaming. “We’ll get started on the paperwork. I have a friend at the bank who can expedite the purchasing process.”
Lark threw her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’re buying a place. It feels so permanent.”
“Don’t try to scare a girl away.”
She laughed. “I know you don’t like anything permanent, but you’re here to stay. None of us want you to leave ever again.”
And neither did I.
6
WHITLEY
Three weeks later, I moved into my new apartment. Katherine insisted on throwing a welcome party. Having all of my friends in my new place was magic. Katherine certainly knew how to throw a party, and there was enough charcuterie and finger food for me to munch on for the rest of the week after everyone left.
That night, Gavin had been as friendly as he’d been in text. Nothing out of place. Not any more or less flirtatious than normal. He was doing an incredible job of pretending like nothing had ever happened between us.
I was confused by it all, but I couldn’t deny that it made me relax. There had been this undercurrent of fear in every interaction before this. That every moment was being watched and judged and filed away for later about what Gavin and I were going to do. Even my friends had been waiting.
Once they saw that nothing was different, they’d all backed off. They still wanted us to get together. But the excitement ofwill they, won’t theywas gone.
We were friends. Just friends.
The Monday after I had my housewarming party, a knock sounded at my door. I’d just finished blowing out my hair and thrown on something for work.
I yanked open the door to find Gavin King standing there with two cups of coffee. “Hey, neighbor.”
I blinked. “Hey.”
“Got you coffee before heading to the office.”
“Oh, thank you.” I took the cup in my hand and blew on the top. I took a sip and glanced up at him in surprise. “This is delicious.”
“Yeah, I told you, you have to go around the block to get the good stuff.”
“Well, you were right.”
“As per usual,” he said with a smile. “You headed out?”
“I have to finish my makeup, and then yeah. You have to go?”
He nodded thoughtfully. “I have to be in at seven thirty. Try to leave a half hour ahead of time with the car service.” He trailed off as he saw me eyeing him. “What?”
“Car service? In this city? What a pain. Just take the subway.”
He looked at me for a minute, as if he’d never considered the possibility.
I laughed at him. “Go to work, King. Thanks for the coffee.”
I closed the door on him and finished my makeup. Work was grueling. Dr. Varma was already trying to lay on more responsibilities. I’d only been there a few weeks, and I could see that he was itching to take the entire summer off to visit family in Pakistan.
I didn’t have any plans until English’s wedding. I’d left all my wedding invites and party plans and the rest of my life back in LA. As long as I kept my weekends for my sanity, I’d be fine.
* * *
