Page 54 of Something New

“Huh?”

“So, the job fell through. Ok. That’s horrible. But where have you been? What have you been doing?”

Dammit, how does she know me so well?

I glance towards my window, wondering if he’s out there right now. I always have this feeling that he’s there, just watching. I push the thought aside and turn my attention back onto Hayley.

“I met a guy.” I say, sighing, accepting that she won’t stop until she finds out the truth.

“A guy? Are you serious? How, where, when?”

“It’s someone I used to know before I met you. Someone from my past.” I shrug.

“Girl - I can’t believe you kept this from me. So, is it serious, are you falling in love, who is he, what’s his name?” the questions rush out of her mouth like a freight train.

I chuckle. “Calm down. Jeez.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down. I want to know everything.”

I sigh, getting up to pour myself some water. When I come back, she has her arms folded across her chest, waiting.

“He’s a lot older than me. And he’sgorgeous.” I say, sitting back down on the bed.

“Are you in love, Nerissa? How old? Older guys can be so hot.” she says with shock.

“It’s getting—I—” I sigh. “I am falling for him.” I admit, the weight of my words settling in. I can’t believe I said it out loud.

I am falling for Tuomo. The exact thing I promised myself not to do.

Hayley finishes the bottle of wine and doesn’t seem to pay attention to the fact that I’ve switched to drinking water. We talk for ages, and she is happy to know what is going on with me. By the time she leaves I’m feeling a lot better. It’s funny how a talk with a friend can settle your thoughts and refocus your mind. I really needed that. I’m so glad she forced her way into my day.

I walk over to my curtains to close them so I can get ready for bed, I close them, but tonight I can’t shake the sensation that he’s watching me.

Putting on my comfortable oversized tee shirt and brushing my teeth I am thinking about him.

It’s just because I spoke about him so much tonight. I never told her his name though. Not his full name. She doesn’t know he is a Vece. I needed to keep that a secret because I don’t want her to lecture me on what a bad idea it is. I already know.

I climb into bed, still confused about what the best way forward is. I am falling for him - and he is bad for me. So, how do I navigate that?

Closing my eyes I snuggle into my bed.

But I can’t sleep.

It’s driving me crazy.

I get out of bed again and walk to the window, pulling the curtain open.

My heart leaps into my throat.

His car is parked there beneath the streetlamp. He isn’t even trying to hide. I should be terrified. I should be offended and creeped out. But I’m not. Somehow his presence out there makes me feel safer.

I walk back to my bed, this time leaving the curtains open. I climb in again and close my eyes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Tuomo

Iarrive home after the intervention with my family, and I’m restless and angry.

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