Page 116 of Forbidden Fruit
I run a hand over my face, frustrated with myself. “Focus,” I mutter under my breath, but it’s useless.
The hours drag on, and by mid-morning, I’ve given up on pretending to care about emails. Instead, I find myself pacingthe room. I grab my phone and call my brother. I need a distraction.
The moment the clock strikes noon, every fiber of my being urges me to go to her, pound on her door, and plead for just a moment of her time. But I know better. Showing up uninvited would only make things worse.
Instead, I pin my hopes on the delivery I arranged earlier. A bouquet of peonies and lilacs. Just the flowers. She’ll know what they mean. She always does. Peonies for healing, lilacs for memories. Together, they’re a whisper of everything I wish I could say.
Now all I can do is wait.
And I wait… and wait all day. Nothing.
The next day, I personally deliver a box of macarons, her favorite, as she once mentioned, with a handwritten note. I know how much she loves romantic gestures, so I want this to be special.
I knock on her door, my heart pounding with anticipation. No answer. I wait. Ten minutes turn into thirty, then close to an hour. Still nothing.
Reluctantly, I place the box of macarons carefully by her door and slide the note underneath. I give the door a final glance, hoping she’ll open it at the last second, but when she doesn’t, I turn and leave, uncertainty settling heavily on my chest.
Peach,
I know I messed up, and I’ll never stop regretting it. But I’m here, and I’m not giving up on us. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that I’m worthy of you.
Yours always,
Calvin.
By the third day, I can’t take it anymore, so I call Abigail.
“Yes, Calvin?” she answers, already annoyed.
“Have you spoken to your sister?” I cut straight to the point. There’s no time for pleasantries.
She sighs heavily, sounding as drained as I feel. “No. She’s not answering my calls, but I know she’s okay because she’s been in touch with our parents. Why? Haven’t you seen her yet?”
“I saw her three days ago,” I admit, my voice strained. “And she wants nothing to do with me. I don’t know what to do to get her to at least talk to me.”
There’s a beat of silence before her tone shifts into something sharp and unforgiving. “Are you seriously calling me for help with my sister? You? The reason she won’t even speak to me. Do you have any idea how much this hurts? We were inseparable before you came along. That’s my baby, Calvin. I asked you not to touch her. But you just couldn’t keep your damn hands to yourself, could you?”
“Alright, enough,” I snap. “Either you help me or get off my line. I don’t have time for this, Abigail.”
“Whatever,” she bites out. But her voice softens, just slightly. “Calvin. I swear, if you hurt her, I will ruin you. I’d lay down my life for her.”
I roll my eyes because we both know she can’t do shit.
“Look,” she says, exhaling deeply. “Right now, she feels betrayed. You broke her trust, and that’s not something she’ll let go of easily. But it doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. Trust me, she does. She’s just… processing it all. Keep showing up, Calvin. Keep proving to her that you’re not giving up. She needs to see that.”
Her words hang in the air as I absorb them.Keep showing up.It’s all I’ve got left to do. “Thanks,” I say before hanging up.
The sun is blazing today, casting sharp beams of lightacross the bustling streets outside my hotel. It’s the kind of heat that makes everything feel alive, amplified. Determined, I head to her building. Again, I wait for someone to exit and slip inside unnoticed.
This time, I don’t bother knocking. I already know she might not answer, and I’m done playing it safe.
I don’t have to wait long. Just a few minutes later, I hear footsteps echoing up the stairwell. My chest tightens as she comes into view, carrying a heavy tote bag that looks like it’s weighing her down. She’s stunning, even in something as simple as jean shorts and a pink spaghetti-strap top. The thin fabric clings to her, and it’s painfully obvious she isn’t wearing a bra. My body reacts instantly, desire flaring through me like a live wire.
I push off the wall and stride toward her. Her eyes widen when she sees me, and for a brief second, I catch her startled expression. It’s cute how she’s always a little off balance when I’m nearby.
“Calvin?” she says sharply. Her eyes narrow, but I don’t give her time to protest. I take the tote bag from her without asking.
“What’s up, Blair?” I drawl, licking my lips as my gaze drags over her.
