Page 26 of Call You Mine
It feels like an eternity before I hear footsteps on the other side, and then they freeze. She must look through the peephole because there’s a moment where all movement ceases, and I fight to keep my feet in place—even though it feels like my fight or flight is activating, and I’m in no mood to fight.
But before I can bolt, I hear the lock turn.
No going back now.
“Anderson?” Ava’s eyes flare for half a second. She looks over her shoulder, her expression smoothing into something polite. Her voice comes out steady yet hushed. “What are you doing here?”
I definitely caught her off guard, but the way she turns to glance behind her again has me feeling like I made a huge mistake.
That’s when I realize—it’s fucking Valentine’s Day.
Did I just barge in on her date?
A wave of paralyzing possessiveness wracks my body, my jaw clamping down so tightly that I think I may break a molar. With my fucked up sleep schedule and the rush to come over here—not to mention the phone call from my brother—it didn’t even cross my mind.
Trying to keep my features schooled, my initial plan of what I wanted to say goes out the window, and I immediately resort to damage control, tamping down my misplaced jealousy. “Sorry to show up here unannounced.” I clear my throat as blood rushes directly to my cheeks. I take a hand out of my pocket to run through my hair, just to do something with my hands. “Today of all days, “ I add with a chuckle, but it comes out forced.
Her brows knit together and raise slightly, her eyes slowly blinking as if she’s waiting for me to clarify as she turns around for a third time to check on something—orsomeone—behind her.
She seems antsy now, like she has something to go back to—something I interrupted—which makes me feel even stupider
“Valentine’s Day?” I offer before clearing my throat.
“Oh,” she says, looking genuinely confused for a moment before her eyes widen. “Oh,”she repeats, only this time, she looks like she’s about to close the door in my face—and I kind of wish she would. It would save both of us from my excruciating embarrassment.
I wave my hands in front of me, as if I could somehow help my mortification dissipate from the air around us. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you’d have company. I’ll just g?—”
“No, no. That’s not it,” she cuts me off. Her hands are still out the door, holding it close to her as if she doesn’t want me to see into her apartment. “Well, yes, I do have company,” she continues, “but notthatkind of company.” She rushes out the words before looking behind her again. “I don’t know what you’re here for, but my sister is staying with me.”
I wish she’d slap me across the face—I’m close to doing it for her after letting my jealousy cloud my thoughts enough to forget about her sister.
I’m about to apologize again when Ava continues, “And we have her?—”
She freezes, not finishing the sentence.
She goes still, her mouth slightly parted as she takes in a sharp exhale.
A thought just crossed her mind.
One so important that it ceased any other.
With one more glance over her shoulder, her eyes meet mine, and there’s a question there.
I don’t know what it is, but I already know my answer is yes.
CHAPTER 9
AVA
This is a bad idea.
The stupidest, most asinine, most ridiculous idea.
Yet, here I am, grabbing Anderson by the arm and pulling him into my apartment, pasting hearts over my eyes—ones I don’t really have to fake when I see him—as I shut the door behind us.
“Please,” I whisper as I walk him into my apartment. “Play along.”
“Done,” he whispers back instantly, and I ignore the way butterflies dance in my stomach. His agreeing to help me take care of this without even a second thought—or any knowledge as to what he just signed on for—isn’t something I’m used to.
