Page 31 of Only With You

I shift it to the goosebumps that dot her arms. There were a few at first, but now they’ve spread vastly over her exposed skin.

We’re leaning toward the end of September. Occasionally, the wind picks up, but it’s not chilly or warm. Just comfortable.

“You’d be warmer inside.”

“I’m not cold.” She drops her arms, and as she does, I’m ashamed to admit my lips part. Because the joke of a top she’s wearing does nothing to hide her hard nipples.

She should probably consider getting her money back, because it does a shit job to cover her chest. The material looks like it’s stretchy and immensely thin, and despite it being black, it’s sheer.

Fuck.

“Right.” I clear my throat and look back at my phone.

More messages flood my screen. All worried for the girl standing in front of me. The girl who seems very adamant on not wanting to go inside.

I type out that we’re outside in the alley, and right as I’m about to hit send, my thumb hesitates and hovers over the send button.

What am I doing? She’s not my problem. I’ve done my due diligence. She’s safe. I need to hit send and have Gabby and Polly come out here and get her to go back inside. I’m positive they’d be able to accomplish that. Because I sure as shit am not going to be the person who does.

Scrubbing my palm over my chin, I triple tap on the text box and tap cut.

At least now, I don’t have to be inside.

Me: She’s fine. Stop worrying, we’ll be inside in a few.

Me: And do not say another word, Polly Victoria Allen. Not another fucking word.

My phone vibrates and I’ve no doubt they’re blowing up the group chat. I ignore it because I know Jagger will handle it. He’s good at simultaneously talking and being nice.

“I’m sorry.”

I’m taken aback, not sure I heard that right. “What are you sorry for?”

“That you’re out here with me. I just needed a moment to breathe. It’s hot in there, but I’m ready to go in.” She plasters a smile on her face.

I’ve unfortunately had the displeasure of running into her so many times that I know it’s fake. It doesn’t match her eyes thatare begging for what exactly? I’m not sure, and her body posture is too tense like she’s uncomfortable.

Oh no, this is not okay. We don’t do this. I—fuck—I don’t do this. I don’t analyse her and wonder what’s going on in her head.

Something has shifted. Might have been the world’s axis or fuck if I know…something had to have definitely collided, because I don’t like to concern myself with things that don’t pertain to me. Especially Julianna Sparks of all people.

She and I, we don’t align. We’re so malignant toward each other. We in no shape or form make sense, that’s why I always stray away from her.

There’s one thing that’s always been certain and it’s our petty arguments. Those make sense—those are the things that I, from time to time, like to entertain because I thrive on pissing her off.

I enjoy seeing the way her eyes narrow into slits as if she’s plotting my death. The way her plump lips tighten into a straight line or flash me a patronising smirk. And my favourite, when I’m able to provoke a spark of vehemence in her electric sapphire eyes.

That’s when I know she’s about to say something that is equally going to infuriate and amuse me. As much as she annoys me, it also slightly entertains my dull and blasé life.

I’m sure what I’m about to say is going to cause some uproar in my head. I say it anyway, because I’m not an overthinker or a person who likes to think of the what-ifs.

I just do.

It keeps my life in balance and keeps me from spiralling.

“Don’t apologise, I chose to be here. And I don’t mind being out here with you.”

She studies me intently. A small crease forms between her eyebrows, but then she laughs. It’s soft like her skin and there’s a bit of a rasp to it.

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