Page 42 of From You to Me

The board told me that the train was five minutes away. I yawned as I slid into a bench while I waited. I squeezed my eyes shut, leaning back as I exhaled a heavy breath. If only I had the power to delete today from my memories.

A sudden presence in my periphery jolted me. My eyes almost bugged out of my head as I watched Jay drop into the seat beside me. “What are you doing?” I asked, dazed.

He shrugged, pulling his baseball hat and hoodie lower. “You wanted to take the subway.”

“Yes, I did.” I pointed a finger at my chest. “Me. I wanted to take the subway. Not with you.”

“It’s public transportation.”

I sighed, giving up.

Thankfully, not a lot of people were in the car with us. Just an old couple, a weird-looking hippie, and three very drunk girls. Although there were so many seats, Jay decided to take the one beside me.

“What if someone recognizes you?” I hissed under my breath. I was getting suspicious of the drunken girls who were giggling his way.

“They won’t.”

“How do you know that? Look at those girls. And do you really have to sit next to me? I don’t want to be photographed.”

He cast a bewildered look my way. “I should be the one fearing the photos, not you.”

“I just don’t like strangers taking pictures of me. It feels violating.” I scrunched up my nose.

“Well, I love it when I’m photographed,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

My lips curved into a smile. A secret part of my heart did like that we were having a normal conversation. At least as normal as it could be.

“This is me.” I yawned, gesturing toward my building later that night. “Thank you for walking me home.”

His eyes ran up and down the street. “Go on. I’ll walk you inside.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

“Go, Evelyn.” His tone left no room for argument.

I sighed as I led him up to my apartment. As soon as I opened the door, someone greeted me with a little too much excitement.

I crouched down to give Strawberry a little cuddle. “Ohh, my baby. Did you miss me?” She gave me the cutest barks while I scratched behind her ears.

A throat cleared behind me. I watched as Jay crouched down beside me. Strawberry instantly went to the newcomer, wiggling her tail.

“Hey.” He smiled, one that reached his eyes and transformed his entire face. I couldn’t help but stare at him. He looked like the Jay I once used to know and not the man I was acquainted with this past month. “What’s her name?” he asked as he petted her gently.

“Strawberry,” I whispered.

His hand stilled while his eyes shot to mine. “Strawberry, eh?”

“Yeah.” I licked my lips.

His eyes zeroed in on my lips, and my breath hitched. It felt like the temperature rose with each passing second. The air cracked with tension as I felt a deep ache awaken within me.

But it all went away in a flash when he quickly averted his gaze. “I’ll get going,” he said, giving Strawberry one last pat as he headed out the door. “Good night, Evelyn.”

“Good night, Jay,” I muttered, but he was already gone.

“Please take good care of my girl.” I hugged Strawberry tight to my chest.

“Okay, bitch, you need to stop. That’s the hundredth time I’m hearing that today. If you say it one more time, I’ll really start thinking about selling Strawberry.”

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