The old me never would have given into the temptation. Part of me feels disgusted with myself, but the rest of me wants more…better. The part of me that has hungered for Holden James is growing stronger. I know I should just go get my shit and move back to the dorm. Close that chapter of my life and let both Ezra and Holden go, but I don’t want to. I don’t think I can.
I get dressed in a newfound determination. Maybe I want to play Ezra’s game. Maybe I want to give him a taste of his own bitter fruit.
When I get out of the bathroom, Bailey is on my phone. She peers up at me and I can see the sneakiness in her eyes. She is up to something.
“What are you doing?”
She grins. “I was updating your relationship status online. You’re welcome.”
“You’re awful,” I tell her.
“I know.” She beams, handing me my cell phone.
I glance at the screen and it reads: It’s Complicated. Isn’t that the truth. I shake my head. “Let’s go eat.” Slipping my shoes on, I grab my purse and follow Bailey out the door.
The moment my shoes hit the sidewalk, Ezra starts calling me. I start to hit ignore but think better of it.
“Hello.”
“Why are you posting it’s complicated on your social media as a relationship status?”
“Are you seriously asking me this right now?” I shriek.
“I need to see you. Can we talk after work?” I can hear the stress in his voice.
“About what? Your plans with Judy,” I snap, continuing to walk to the diner, ignoring Bailey tugging on my free hand, mouthing for me to hang up.
“I fired her first thing this morning. It’s over. I swear to you, Snookems. I never meant for it to happen. Where did you sleep last night?”
“Not that it is any of your business, but I stayed with Bailey.”
“You need time…I know…I just I need to see you.”
“I’ll be at the apartment tonight. We can talk then.” I hang up on him before he can say more.
“Please don’t tell me you are going back to him after knowing what you know and doing what you did.” Bailey attempts to talk some sense into me.
“I don’t know.” I shrug as she opens the door to King’s Diner.
Stepping inside, a wave of cool air washes over me. The smell of grease instantly takes over, but their breakfast is the best in the city. Our usual booth is occupied so we take a seat at the counter, hoping it will be open soon. Bailey and I always people watch through the large picturesque window.
After we’ve placed our orders and had a cup of coffee our booth frees up. We eagerly grab our favorite seats before anyone else can.
Bailey keeps staring at me expectantly.
“What? Why are you staring at me like that for?”
She slaps her hand down on the table, exasperated. Her lips screw up as she says, “Are we gonna discuss Holden?”
“What about Holden?”
She rolls her baby blues and leans across the table. “You can’t just drop an I fucked my boyfriend’s best friend bomb on me and not dish.”
“It feels…I don’t know. Awkward. You sorta liked him once upon a time.”
“Holden never even had me on his radar. That’s so two years ago anyway. Besides, you haven’t said if it was good or not. He was good, wasn’t he?” She grins.
Before I can answer the waitress brings our food.