“I don’t want to do this. Why are we here?” She steps back, causing my hand to fall away from her face. I let her. It takes everything in me not to reach for her, but she’s been drinking, and I honestly don’t trust myself right now.
4
Emily
“You need food,” Chase says as we step off the elevator into his condo. I had no clue he lived here. I actually didn’t know where he lived. For some reason, I thought he’d still be at his family's estate. The place is massive and has a few homes on it besides the main one.
The Silversteins have also built all kinds of different buildings not only in this city but across the States. I try not to think about Chase and where he lives, but now that I’m here I can’t help but peek around.
“Sure, I’ll eat.” I’m not that hungry, but curiosity wins out. “You cooking?”
“I can or I’ll order in.” I smile, knowing Chase knows how to cook because of his mom.
“Doesn’t matter to me.”
“I’ll whip something up.” I fight a yawn as I follow him through the empty living room. The place is updated and modern but really empty. In the living room, there is a sofa and a TV mounted on the wall.
Nothing hangs on any of the walls. It looks like a typical bachelor pad. A very expensive one but still. There are no personal touches anywhere.
“Has your mom been here?” I ask because I can’t imagine she has, considering how impersonal this place looks.
“You think I own a place my mom hasn’t been all up in?” Chase laughs again, making me smile. This feels too much like old times.
“And she’s okay with this?” I do a circle motion with my finger. “I can’t even say this place looks staged because even a staged condo would have more décor and furniture than this.”
“I suppose it’s what most call a bachelor pad. I don’t need much for now.” If I was hungry, that would have definitely soured my stomach. I take a closer look around and wonder how many women he’s brought back to this place.
It hurts. I’ve been in love with this man for as long as I can remember, and thinking of him with someone else kills me. I know it’s irrational, but I can’t stop the thoughts. I think more than anything I want someone to pick me first and stick it out.
My mind starts to torture me, wondering if he’s banged someone on that sofa or this kitchen island. This is what I always do. My mind always goes to the worst places.
“Bathroom?” I need a minute to get myself together. I will not turn into a needy mess in front of him.
“Use the one in the master. I don’t have the others stocked. It's at the end of the hallway.” He points.
Being nosy, I peek into each door as I pass them. I find two empty bedrooms with absolutely nothing in them. Next is an office. I slip inside and know this is where Chase spends most of his time. I can smell him here. I walk around to his desk and pause when I see a picture frame. It’s of Asher, Chase, and me. It’s really the only personal touch I’ve seen in this place.
Not wanting to get caught looking at it, I put it down and head for the master to use the bathroom. Even his bedroom is plain with white sheets and pillows on the bed.
I open a few of the drawers in the bathroom, knowing what I’m looking for. Things that might belong to a woman. A hair tie or lip gloss. Something small that could easily be left behind, but Chase is rather clean. I come up empty.
When I exit the bathroom, my eyes go straight for the nightstand. I know the right side is his because a phone charger is there along with a book and a notepad. A man’s nightstand is the equivalent of a female's purse. It’s off-limits to look inside if you’re not the owner. I’m not sure if that holds true for men, but since Chase went through my purse, I’m calling fair game.
I pull the drawer open, expecting to see a box of condoms or something, but all that’s there is a bag of Tootsie Rolls. A sweet treat that we both always loved. Asher would make fun of us and say it’s old people candy, but Chase always had some in his pocket, and he’d pull one out and give it to me. It would be softer than normal from having been in his pocket, which made it even better.
“Find what you're looking for?”
“You know I love these.” I snag one out of the drawer, playing it off as though I wasn’t being nosy.