Page 49 of Only With You

Except for Gabby and Polly. They’re my best friends and know how overstimulated I get, so they don’t bother me. They let me sleep and eat at their place, no questions asked. I did go lessbecause of their roommate, but now everything changes with John coming.

I guess I should look at the bright side. I’ll be somewhere I don’t mind, with people I like, minus Hollywood, but at least I’ll get paid. I don’t really need money, but having a little extra never hurts.

It doesn’t take long before I’m at her apartment. I knock a few times and wait for her to open the door. It feels extremely odd to be here because I’m not here for Gabby or Polly, buther.

Right as I’m about to knock again, the door swings open. It all happens too fast, but Polly slams against my chest, bounces back, and almost falls, but I grab her arm before she does.

She scrunches her nose and rubs it as I let go of her. “Landon?”

“Pols, hey.”

She picks up her bag that fell on her ground. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you, but I didn’t know you were coming over.”

“I’m going to tutor her.”

Her brows arch high and a smile teases her lips. “Are you, now? Weren’t you just here yesterday and told her you weren’t going to?”

Explanations are something I don’t owe anyone, but Polly isn’t just anyone, and I know she’ll understand my change of heart.

“John is coming, and he’ll be here for a month or so.”

Polly nods once, understanding exactly what that means. She not only knows John and his family, but she also dated Ashton. So she knows my disdain for them and how much I like to keep away from them.

“And I know you didn’t tell her Gabby also tutored you.”

“What?” Her voice exudes shock, but it’s so fake, she doesn’t bother to hide it. “Oh. No. Did I forget to mention that? Huh, itmust’ve slipped my mind.” She swings her bag over her shoulder and sidesteps me. “Guess you could say, it worked out?” she hurriedly says and walks away, but backward. “Be nice Landon, I’m serious. I’m not playing games. Gabby and I really like her, so don’t fuck this up.” She warns with a threatening stare. “Anyway, have fun! And you’re welcome.”

Her smile becomes mischievous and eyes sparkle. Leave it to Polly to create something unrealistic and far-fetched in her head. I blame all of the ridiculous romance movies she spends every Friday night watching with Gabby.

Stepping into the apartment, I slip my shoes off and take a seat on the sofa.

What Polly suggested I do is blasphemous and disturbing. I’ve no desire to sleep with Hollywood. What happened at Liquid was a lapse of judgement, but that was due to being distracted.

That goddamn shirt she wore that day is a partial reason, but really, it was just her.

I may not like her and she’s not my type, but I won’t deny that Julianna Sparks is attractive. Though attractivereally is an understatement, but I’m leaving it at that. I don’t need to think about her more than I already have.

A door opening drags me out of my thoughts, and my gaze snaps in that direction. But I look away and close my eyes as a soft hum drifts into the living room. The mellifluous sound evokes colours that I wish would go away, but I know for as long as I live and hear her, they never will.

Snowy white and electric sapphire swirl in my head.

Closing my eyes is futile. Whether they’re open or closed, I still hear colour.

Fuck chromesthesia.

Tucking my chain underneath my shirt, I revel in the slight coolness from the metal and look at the girl who has become an unexpected complication in my life.

The same girl who’s wearing nothing but a tiny pink pastel towel around her damp body.

“Holly—” My throat dries up and I gawk in disbelief as her towel gets caught on something and falls to the floor as our gazes collide.

She shrieks, and I—well, I…stare.

15

JULIANNA

In a dash,I retrieve my towel and secure it firmly around my body. “What the hell! What are you doing here?”

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