Page 101 of Untying the Knot
“Fuck off.” I move out of my room and toward the living room.
Banner and I now live together in a posh apartment that overlooks Lake Michigan. It has been the one and only splurge we’ve made since we moved to Chicago. Banner has sold another app for a whopping seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, an app that took him a week to create. The man is an absolute genius. He’s been conjuring up the next greatest deal while watching whatever he deems worthy on TV, and of course, bothering me whenever I get home.
From the console in the entryway, I pocket my wallet, my keys, and then slip on my shoes.
“Are you nervous?” Banner asks from the kitchen where he’s opened a bag of pretzels. A new bag I just bought—well, ordered. We have groceries delivered now.
“No, I’m not nervous and don’t eat all of those.”
He shoves a handful in his mouth. Through crushed-up pretzels, he says, “Well, if you want the apartment to yourself, I’m going over to Kerry’s place tonight.”
“Who is Kerry?” I ask.
“Some girl I met at a bar last week. Hit it off. She’s pretty cool.”
“What about Nichole?”
“What about her?” He plops another pretzel in his mouth.
“I thought you were into her.”
“I mean, she’s cool and a fucking titan in bed, but she doesn’t want anything serious, and neither do I, so I’m not attached to that.”
I pocket my phone and ask, “Do you think you’ll ever settle down?”
“Maybe, if the right girl comes along. But for now, I like having fun. Don’t worry about me, bro. I’m good. You should be worried about yourself. What are your plans?”
“Going to pick her up and then take her to the rooftop.”
“The rooftop? As in a few floors up from us? That rooftop?”
“Yes, that rooftop. Rented it for the night. I wanted somewhere peaceful where it could just be us.”
“Get food catered?”
“Tacos. Her choice, and then vanilla cake for dessert.”
“Vanilla cake?” He chuckles. “Her choice, I’m assuming as well.”
“Yeah, I was caught off guard at first, but then again, this is Myla. She’s never been like other girls. I ordered a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting from the grocery store and dumped rainbow sprinkles on the top. It’s upstairs with the tacos.”
“Well, sounds like you have it all planned out. Let me know if you need help with anything. I know how hard you’ve worked to get to this point. Can’t let a boy down.”
I laugh. “Thanks, Banner. I will. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly. Enjoy your night.”
“You too.” He waggles his eyebrows and pops some more pretzels in his mouth.
I’ll be buying a new bag tomorrow.
* * *
Holding my hand tightly,Myla smiles up at me as we travel to the rooftop of my apartment building. She looks absolutely gorgeous tonight. Not that she doesn’t look gorgeous all the time, but that smile on her face brings out the sparkle in her eyes. Plus she chose to wear a pair of dark blue lace shorts and a white crop top that shows off a few inches of her stomach and accentuates the curve in her hips. With her hair half up and half down, as well as minimal makeup, she’s so fucking beautiful. During the entire drive over, I kept thinking how lucky I am that she gave me a chance.
“You smell good,” she says, leaning her body into mine.
“Thanks,” I say as I tip her chin up just as the elevator slows to a stop and the doors open.
I don’t want to be biased or anything, but I’ve seen my fair share of rooftops in the city, and I have to say, ours is the best. Six-foot glass walls surround the perimeter to maintain the beautiful view, but you’re not about to fall off into the street below you. Along the building are potted vines that have grown into the brick wall, creating a feel of nature in a city of concrete. There are a few short buildings in front of us and then endless views of the lake. Scattered around the space are cushioned couches, chairs, two firepits, and a secluded area blocked off by a reclaimed wood partition. Behind the partition is a plush couch and low table, where everything is set up. The lake is the only thing you see, giving you complete privacy from the city around you. And because it’s Chicago, there’s a roof over the partitioned area with strings of twinkling lights.
