I reach through the cushion and pull my cell back out. If there’s any hope of going five minutes without losing my own mind, I can’t stay cooped up in this condo all alone.
I flip through my text screen and find the person I’m looking for.
Me:Text me an address.
I need another night like last night to forget all about what’s going on. Only this time, I plan to pace myself a bit better and not end up in a stranger’s bed.
I get ready in a hurry, tossing on the first outfit I find in my closet, a black bodysuit and high-waisted ripped denim jeans. I lace up my all-white converse and glance in the mirror. I don't give much thought to my face, dabbing a little blush on my cheeks and a coat of mascara on my lashes. My braids are tousled from being on the couch and unless I want to re-do them, they're a lost cause.
I settle on grabbing the blow-dryer and applying some heat before pulling the braids out and running my fingers through my hair. Luckily, my hair ends up with a decent little wave and doesn’t look too horrible.
With an application of Chapstick, I complete my ten-minute transformation.
It’s not much longer until I have all of my necessary belongings and am making my way out of the condo. I latch the door shut behind me and check Cora’s last message she sent me with the details. Tonight’s bar is only a few blocks away.
I’m just about to reach the stairs when another unit opens. I pray like hell it’s not him. I don’t need to deal withthatright now.
But the universe enjoys taunting me because that’s the exact person who appears. White pocket tee and black jeans. Effortless and infuriating, just like him.
His wide emerald gaze meets mine. “Hey.”
I shake my head. “Nope. Not happening.” I continue on my path, making my way down the stairs and into the courtyard.
Johnny rushes to catch up. “What did I do now?”
“What didn’t you do?” I mouth off.
“That’s fair.” He matches my pace. “Um. How was dinner?”
I stop suddenly, grabbing his arm and stopping him, too. I ignore the way his skin feels against mine. “Listen, buying me food is not going to win me over. If that’s even what you’re trying to do. I appreciate it, and I’m not ungrateful, sothank you, but seriously, cut it out. You don’t owe me anything. We aren’t friends, remember?”
His lips part and he hesitates for a second. “It’s not that I don’t want to be friends.”
I roll my eyes and take off again. “Whatever.”
He moves too, so I halt.
“I’m not lying,” he continues.
“Don’t follow me,” I tell him.
“I’m not.” He points toward the gate. “I was leaving, too.”
Stupidity washes over me. “Oh. Right.”
Johnny keeps his attention on me. With his voice quiet, like he’s speaking to himself he says, “You look beautiful tonight.”
I disregard the seriousness of his tone and the tingling in my chest that follows.
I don’t allow how much he affected me to show. “Thanks.”
We approach the gate at the same time, but he rushes forward to grab onto the handle and open it for me. He motions for me to go through ahead of him.
I head off in the direction of the address Cora sent me, but Johnny follows.
“My thing really is this way,” he reassures.
We walk in silence for a minute until we come upon a group of rowdy people.