Page 56 of Let's Be Forever

“Anna.” He levels me with a stern look. “Our daughter can’t live like this. You can’t live like this.”

“And what do you suggest? Where will I go?” The moment those words leave my mouth, he nods. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Absolutely yes. I have more than enough room in the condo.”

“Maya lives with me.”

“Bring Maya along.”

“Sylas, no. You and I should not be living together.”

He rolls his eyes before dropping on the couch next to me. “Don’t make me be an asshole.”

I offer him a tight-lipped smile. “Too late.”

“Funny.” He drapes an arm over the back of the cushion. “But if you want me to be one, I’ll be one. This apartment is shit. You live too far from the bakery. You have a shitty neighbor, who if he shows up again, I might hit. And those noises? Don’t tell me you’re actually okay with our daughter being woken up by them?”

I know this apartment is horrible, and I know how far it is from the bakery. I can deal with that, but not Rosie waking up in the middle of the night because my neighbor doesn’t know how to control himself.

He’s not wrong, but I can’t do what he’s suggesting. How did things escalate this quickly?

“I’m not moving in with you.” I already struggle enough as it is being around him when he comes over. I can only imagine how difficult living in such close quarters would be.

Sylas clicks his tongue. “Find somewhere else to live or I’ll do it for you.”

24

ANNA

The distant soundof a headboard banging against a wall wakes me up. I hold my breath when I hear rustling from Rosie’s crib. She stirs, rolls, and murmurs something under her breath but then she settles.

I quietly exhale and glare at the ceiling. The noise stays at a steady tempo, never waning. Eventually, as the minutes pass by, moaning joins the fray. It’s not as loud as normal, but I can’t sleep.

Every few seconds I glance over at Rosie, making sure she’s unaware of what’s going on upstairs. And every time, I can’t help feeling guilty as I remember Sylas’s words.

And those noises? Don’t tell me you’re actually okay with our daughter being woken up by them?

No, I’m not okay with it. If I could, I’d move out immediately, but I don’t have the money, and there aren’t any available apartments. I know because I checked after Sylas left yesterday.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I know exactly who it is.

I tell myself I’m not going to answer. I tell myself it could be anyone. Still, it’s late, maybe a little past one in the morning, so whoever it is can wait.

Curiosity gets the best of me.

I slip on my glasses and grab my phone, reading the message.

Sylas: Are you sleeping okay?

I don’t know how he knew, and I don’t know why I’m entertaining the idea of replying, but before I know it, my fingers are moving and I’m hitting send.

Me: Are you sleeping okay?

Sylas: No. I’d sleep better if I knew he wasn’t your neighbor. He’s being loud again, isn’t he? That’s why you’re awake, right?

I go to set my phone down because there’s no reason why I should be texting him. We’re not necessarily talking about Rosie, and she’s sleeping either way. But then he sends me another message, and again, curiosity wins out.

Sylas: I have more than enough space. I’ll give you my bedroom. It has an en suite and lots of storage. I’ll give you whatever you want, whatever you need. Let me just get you out of there