Page 26 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

Making our way out of the building, I let Jake lead the way. I’m sure whatever he has to tell me, he thinks we need to make some distance away from anyone who recognizes us.

“Something happened.” He lets out a sigh as we hit a crosswalk. “Between Eloise and I. Despite having an idea of your relationship with her, I couldn’t help myself. She’s just so…”

“Incredible?” Frowning ahead, I watch the glow of the red hand turn into the white figure signaling us to walk.

I should’ve known better. With how much time they’ve spent together, there was only so much time before Jake would realize how special Eloise is.

“This was not needed.” Feeling the heat of the summer air against the back of my neck, we move across the street. “I may be crazy about her, but I’m not unstable.”

There is no denying the jealousy nipping in my gut. Jealous that he got a taste of her before I could.

“I want her to choose who she wants. Who am I to stop her from finding happiness? To think I would have to worry about Rhett and now you.”

Jake barks a laugh despite the seriousness of this conversation. “Rhett? Who said anything about that guy? There is no way.”

“He’s not trying to be obvious about it, but he’s spending less and less time in his office. Hell, he’s taken his lunch out every day this week. I don’t consider that a coincidence. Not when I’ve found him lingering in the lobby.” Ever since Eloise appeared, I’ve had these two locked down in the back of my mind. I never wanted to see them as competition, not from the start.

They’re my friends and have been through all of these years. I can’t simply start to dislike them because Eloise might want them too.

“It’s not a competition,” I tell him with a growing frown. “So don’t think you can take her simply because you want to beat us.”

He’s smirking now, making it worse by shrugging. “Whatever you say.”

Grunting, I decide to grab a cool drink while he tells me about this shared moment of theirs. Now that he knows I’m not going to suddenly attack him, he has no issue with putting in the fine details.

“I’d much rather hear about her pleasure than yours,” I groan when he starts talking about how he had to beat his cock to her since she ran off on him.

If she didn’t fall for his charm and go with him, then I think I still stand a chance. I’m not ready to give up just yet.

* * *

I’ve lost count of how many times I check my watch. Thirty minutes early, A bit eager to say the slightest. What can I say, Iameager.

Now that I know about her and Jake’s relationship, will she still want to meet me like this? I’ve yet to receive a last-minute cancellation on her part. I haven’t had the chance to pull her into a conversation since I spoke with Jake.

Sitting in the car garage, I give myself five minutes to relax before I abandon the car. Even if I’m early, the setting of the cafe will be the distraction I so desperately need.

The place I picked is normally more packed in the mornings. With a line out the door during the early hours, there’s no denying how good their brew is. Shame Jake didn’t strike a deal with this company over the other coffee shop.

When I head in, there’s hardly a line. A few of the tables inside are occupied by college students. Most of them are tapping away at their laptops. Others are cradling their cups as they read the books in front of them. None of them are giving me even a passing glance, lost in their own world. At this hour, the cafe is pretty quiet for the most part.

At the table in the corner of the room, Eloise already sits. Surprised to see her so soon, I make a close call of looking like a fool by tripping over my feet.

She’s already cradling a cup of coffee. Her thumb brushes the styrofoam as she stares out at traffic. Those green eyes are clouded over from being deep in thought. A few strands of her blonde hair cling to her cheeks, looking freshly washed. The blue sundress she’s wearing is an upgrade to her normal shirt and apron I see her in. Did she think about me when she put together her appearance? The outfit doesn’t change how I feel about her in the slightest.

Remembering that I can’t simply block the entrance, I approach the patient barista waiting for me to place my order. Going with my usual, I throw on a few cookies. Something to keep my hands busy. Otherwise, I’ll get an itch to touch her while we talk.

Waiting for my order, I throw a look in her direction to see if I’ve been noticed . From the looks of it, Eloise is still lost. What thoughts are clouding her mind? At the call of my name, she jerks and looks over at me. Offering her a small smile, I head in her direction.

“You’re early.” Eyes lifting, she straightens. Shifting her hands to her lap, I can’t help but think she looks nervous. It’s just me. She does not need to worry about anything.

“So are you.” Chuckling, I take a seat across from her. As soon as I’m relaxed, I feel her stare as she takes me in. “Looks like we both stopped at home to get ready. You look lovely.”

The dress shirts and ties are suffocating. When I’m out in public and not worried about keeping up any sort of image, I have no issue dressing down. A simple shirt and torn jeans go a long way when it comes to making her see me like she used to.

Her cheeks grow flushed at my compliment as she tucks a loose strand behind her ear. “You never minded the smell of sugar. I figured the people here would be bothered.”

Fuck everyone else. She might not realize it, but she doesn’t have to have frosting coating her skin to carry around that sweetness. The way it clings to her, no amount of scrubbing will take it away. She’s sweet down to her core.

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