Page 37 of Everything She Wanted

“Hey, you’re up.”

I pull my hand back. “I’m so sorry. You should have woken me.”

“I couldn’t. You were sleeping so peacefully.”

He smiles, that luminescent smile that lights up his face and kindles the spark within me that seems to remain dormant until I’m with him.

We stay like that. Bodies turned to one another, eyes locked, and I know I should move, but I can’t bring myself to. He brings his hand to the side of my face, his fingertips skimming the soft skin at my temples and then down to my chin. I should turn away, but I don’t. Instead, I close my eyes and lean into his touch.

My makeup must be a mess, and I’m not even sure what my hair looks like, but the way he looks at me makes me feel something I shouldn’t—like I’m desirable. More than that—like I matter.

Waking up next to him is like a dream I don’t want to wake up from.

An abrupt knock at the window interrupts the moment, and I quickly sit up while Nick rolls down the window.

“You’re not allowed to park here overnight.” It’s one of the parking enforcement guys who patrol the area.

“Sorry about that. I’ll move.” Nick starts the car and moves up a few spaces.

I move to get out, and he says, “Wait, let me get your door.” He opens his door and steps out.

“Oh, um, you don’t need to,” I stammer.

“I don’t mind.” He walks around to my side and gets my door for me.

How is anyone this nice?

“Thank you for the ride home, and letting me crash in your car, and dinner? Breakfast? I don’t even know which one.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He walks me up to the front door of my building.

Even though we’ve spent all night together, I don’t want our time to end. I hold my fob in my hand instead of swiping it and turn to him.

He lingers next to me too.

“It was nice hanging out outside of work,” he says with a sweet smile, the one that feels like it’s just for me.

I swallow hard. “Yeah, it was.” I’m not sure what he’s getting at, but my delusional heart starts to hope.

“Maybe we can do it again sometime.”

I nod a little too enthusiastically.

“That would be nice,” I say, and when I can’t think of anything else: “Well, I better go.”

He nods, still smiling at me.

I go through the front door and wave at him. He watches me to make sure I get in okay before he turns away.

I feel light and happy despite only sleeping for a couple of hours.

I turn my phone back on in the elevator. Five missed calls and ten texts from Eshaan fill my screen.

My heart pounds as I read them.

I thought you were at work, but it shows you’re at some diner? WTF

Call me RN.