Page 31 of Stay With Me

“When did it start?” Owen cuts in.

Taking another drink, I think back to the night Rae and Adeline booked us the table at Cliff’s. “About a month and a half ago. Ever since your significant others decided to book us one of the booths Cliff’s has.”

They laugh, clinking their glasses together. “Wait until they find out. They’re going to be thrilled.”

I feel my lips pull into a smug smile. “They just had a girls’ night not too long ago, I’m pretty sure they already know.”

Laughing as they pull out their phones and start texting, I make my way to the table where everything is laid out for poker.

“So, what are you then? Because Adeline mentioned that Elise is going to look at an apartment next week. Please tell me this is more than sex because I’d hate to see you and her ruin what you both have wanted for so long.” Owen sits down, picking up the cards and shuffling.

Setting my beer down harder than I mean to, I stare. “She is? She never told me that.”

Clenching my jaw, I try to ignore the way the beer has turned sour in my gut. I don’t want her to move. I love having her at home with me and she belongs there. If she moved, the house would feel so empty.

“Well, have you told her where your head is? Or are you sleeping together and living life as you always have?” Cam interjects as he sits next to me.

Brows furrowing, I think about the past month and a half. He’s right, aside from the one date night and sleeping together, everything else has basically remained the same. The physical aspect has been more than sex, so I assumed she knew I am serious about this, but I guess assuming shit is just idiotic.

“I’m a dumbass.”

They all agree.

As Owen deals out the cards, the conversation shifts. But my head is still on Elise.

Is she looking at apartments because she thinks I’m not serious? Or because she’s not taking what we have seriously?

***

I’m waiting for Elise with dinner on the table when she gets home from work. After guys’ night last night, I didn’t say anything. I needed to see if there was any indication that this was nothing but sex to Elise, but even after two a.m. sex and breakfast this morning, I can’t tell.

She comes in the door, her voice carrying as she greets Kimchi. I love the sound of her coming home after work. She’s always so happy to see us and it feels good knowing that now she comes in and kisses me before we have dinner.

Elise comes through the door, a soft smile on her lips as she sees me with dinner. Her kiss is short, but it’s almost the one I look forward to most every day.

“It was so busy at Perk Up today. I’m really seeing all the work we’ve put into the new menu items. Mary has been such a blessing.” She sighs as she sits, the sound pure happiness.

I don’t want to bombard her as soon as she comes in the door. We start eating and I watch her, wondering what she’s thinking.

“How was your day?” she asks as she finishes telling me about some of the new recipes they want to try.

“It was good, lots of meetings and then I worked on the design. Kimchi and I took a walk at lunch.” It feels weird to talk about the normal, mundane things when this pit is sitting in my chest.

She’s quiet as she eats and I can’t take it anymore.

Setting my fork down, I lean back in my chair. “So, I heard you’re looking at an apartment next week. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I try to keep my tone neutral, but Elise knows me too well and sees right through it.

“I had it booked a while ago, before things shifted with us, and never canceled. I wasn’t sure whether this was serious or not since we hadn’t talked about it, so I figured I would go see it. I can always turn it down.” She shifts in her seat, awkwardness filling the air for the first time between us.

“Are we just casual?” I ask. I don’t want us to be, but that’s moot if she doesn’t want anything serious after ending a five-year relationship.

She lets out a heavy breath, her gaze intent on mine. “I don’t want this to be casual. I’ve never been happier.”

The tension flows out of my body so hard, I slump in my chair before jumping up. I close the distance between us, leaning down to kiss her with all the emotion I’ve been holding in. “Thank goodness. I want to give this a shot, a real shot because I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Me too.” She sighs, beaming at me.

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