Page 88 of From You to Me

I blinked as he led me to a huge black car with tinted windows. “You don’t have to call me ma’am, Tyler. It’s Evy. I thought we were friends,” I said as he opened the car door for me.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I sighed as I slid into the plush leather seat, and we cruised through the city. I had to admit that it did feel good to be driven around the city although I mustn’t get used to it.

Though, it was quite funny to think that a maid would be dropped off to work in a luxurious car.

I puffed out a misty breath as I stepped inside the ‘Blueline.’ The snow has melted in NYC and the rain was in full force.After work, somehow Tyler again was magically waiting for me outside the Smiths’.

I didn’t ask a single question as I settled inside because as much as I loved the rain, the sticky crowd of the subway at rush hour was one I wanted to avoid at all costs.

I pressed the button to the twenty-second floor, one floor below Jay’s. Lily, Mikey, and Matt were housed here. When they decided to move to NYC, the guys purchased the top two floors so they could all be close.

Mikey and Matt settled for the two large apartments on the twenty-second floor while Lily moved into a smaller apartment on the same floor while she completed her internship. There was also a huge loft at the front where renovations were underway for the guys’ studio and den for practice and recording.

“Lily, I feel so bad. I’m so sorry.” I apologized as I eased into her apartment and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Evy.” She smiled. “Honestly, I’m fine. I don’t even have a bump on my head.”

“But it’s still my fault that you got hurt. You shouldn’t have gotten hurt in the first place.”

“Shut up, Evy.” Lily shook her head, linking her arm with mine and dragging me to her living room. “Come on, we’re watchingLove Island.”

I scrunched up my face. “What’s that?”

My bewildered eyes took in the drama playing out in front of me. “So you’re telling me, that guy.” I pointed at the tall, handsome dude wearing trunks. “Loves that girl and promised to be with her.” I moved my finger to the girl looking like a goddess. “But went to another house and came back with her.” A disgusted sound left my mouth as I gestured to the fake Barbie clinging to the guy’s arms.

Katy’s beautiful face filled with laughter. “That’sLove Islandfor you.” Katy was staying with Lily while she helped Matt set up everything they needed for his nonprofit.

“But isn’t that like cheating?”

“Yes, it is,” Lily added while she munched on Cheetos.

“How can he do that to her? I don’t understand, she’s gorgeous.” My eyes landed on the girl again. She was crying while the other contestants tried to console her.

“Men don’t need reasons to cheat, Evy.” Katy shrugged; her gaze fixed on the TV.

I sighed. “I still don’t understand.”

We girls had been wasting the past hour watching TV and gossiping about literally everything. I repeated to them the whole story that I told Jay this morning. They all started cursing my mother along with me and was sad that I had to deal with all this alone for so long. They assured me that Jay would take care of everything and that I didn’t need to worry anymore. It’s the same thing he told me this morning, and I don’t know how to feel about it.

“That’s my brother.” Lily shot off from the couch as she read something from her phone. “Food is here, so let’s go up. I’m so hungry, and Cheetos are not cutting it.”

I wanted to protest, but then it struck me that I actually lived there. Thankfully, Helen filled up Strawberry’s food bowl and took her out for a walk so I didn’t worry the entire day, but it seemed like now I had to return to my temporary home.

I slowly followed the girls, glad that the ache in my knee was dull and nonexistent these days.

We headed to the TV room, where everyone was already in their designated places. The girls immediately took the two empty seats by Matt, so the only open seat was the loveseat occupied by Jay. I internally sighed as I sauntered to his side. Strawberry was already here getting all the love from Mikey, whowas throwing around a wool ball as she chased it around the room in glee.

“Hey,” I mumbled as I slid in next to him.

Although inches separated us, the heat from his presence radiated down to my body, making my heart harden with a lump. I settled in for some burger and fries while the gang bantered as usual. It was like going back in time, watching them interact while I felt included.

I missed it.

I smiled as I got up. It had been well over an hour since I polished off my dinner, and I was ready for bed. But first, I wanted to make some tea for my throat. It was still killing me. Thank God it was winter so I could wear a turtleneck because my neck looked wild this morning, all red and bruised.

I seeped in the hot water in a mix of chamomile, lavender, and ginger while I waited for it to brew.

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