“I’m a huge fan of 4225 West. I’ve followed them forever. I don’t know why I didn’t pick up on it sooner, but I’ve seen your pictures. You’re sometimes with the band. As soon as I figured out who she was, I went and double-checked, and sure enough, there you are, with Elle.”
I’ve heard of fans knowing everything about the band, but have never encountered one. What are the odds? “We’ve been best friends since our freshman year in high school.”
“Best friends, huh? You looked a little closer than BFF status.”
“Yeah, that’s what I want to explain. You see, before I came here, Elle and I…” I pause and clear my throat. “Things changed between us and neither of us took the change very well. We both made rash decisions and hurt each other in the process.”
“I see,” Talia says. She pulls her legs up underneath her and spreads a blanket over her lap.
“This is pretty hard for me because I’m not this type of guy. The thing is, I like you, Talia or I wouldn’t have kissed you, but I’m in love with Elle, and it wouldn’t be fair to you if I were always thinking about her.”
Talia looks away. Her fingers play with the frayed end of her sofa. “I wish you had told me from the beginning.”
“I didn’t know how Elle felt, and honestly I was trying to get over her and move on.”
“But she showed up here?”
“I didn’t know she was coming, Talia. If I had—”
“You wouldn’t have kissed me,” she states.
I nod. The kiss was nothing more than a peck but had the potential to be more. Although, I don’t know how far I would’ve taken things with her. She’s still my co-worker, and the last thing I want is to be involved with someone from work.
“Well, I guess I can’t compete with Elle James, I mean just look at her.” Elle is beautiful, but it’s not right for Talia to put herself down like this.
“Talia, you’re a beautiful woman. Please don’t put yourself down. My life before I came here was complicated and it probably still is. Elle and I have this history and-”
“Well, thanks for telling me. I appreciate it.” Talia interrupts me. She stands and goes to the door, and opens it, giving me my cue to leave.
“I’ll see you Monday?”
“Sure,” she says, shutting the door instantly. I stand in the hall, making sure Talia locks the door before I retreat into my apartment. It’s cold and lonely inside these walls, and I’m tempted to go back to Elle, but I don’t want to cross the line again until we’re both sure we can make this work.
* * *
I’m up well before I know Elle will be awake, but I can’t wait any longer. I’m not even bothered by my lack of sleep or the fact that I’m starving. On my way to Elle’s hotel, I stop at one of the vendor carts and pick her up a bagel. In my opinion, you haven’t lived until you’ve spent a considerable amount of time eating street food and New York City has some of the best.
I knock on her door while simultaneously taking a bite of breakfast burrito. It takes her a minute or two, but when she finally opens it, I smile. Not because Elle is standing in front of me, but because it’s the Elle I’ve missed so much. The one who isn’t put together, whose hair is in complete disarray, whose eyes are barely open and has makeup smudges on her face. This is my Elle, the one no one, aside from her family, ever gets to see. I lean through the door and kiss her quickly before stepping inside.
“It’s so early.”
“I know, but we have a busy day. I figured we only have today, right?”
“Yeah.” She yawns. “I have class on Monday, so I’m flying back tomorrow.”
I hand her the tin foiled wrapped bagel. “What’s this?” she asks.
“Breakfast.”
“I could’ve called us room service.” She takes the package from my hand and slowly opens it. I follow her to the couch and sit next to her, waiting for her to take a bite. “Oh, this is good.”
I can’t help but smile at her reaction. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Where’d you get it?”
“The street vendor,” I tell her.
She closes her eyes. “I love food truck food. It’s the best.” Elle knows I’m not going to argue with her. This one time, we went to Malibu to go surfing and drove all over, looking for the right taco truck. Once we found it, we gorged ourselves until well past sundown.