Page 49 of Take What You Want

She follows me upstairs and down to the opposite end of the hallway from my bedroom.

“Feel free to change anything you want,” I tell her, looking around the room. The walls are an off-white, leaving a blank canvas for the splashes of color in the rug, bedding, and paintings that a designer picked out when I moved in.

“Bathroom is through there.” I point to a door on the other end of the room. “And that’s a closet there. Should be big enough to fit all of your clothes,” I joke.

She doesn’t even crack a smile, and I know I’ve lost her for tonight.

“I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything.”

I turn to leave, and she stops me with a hand on my shoulder. Her touch burns me alive.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “I appreciate you letting me stay here.”

Looking at her over my shoulder, I give her a small smile and say, “Anything for you, LJ.”

With that, I leave and close the door behind me. I walk down the hallway to my own room and close the door, leaning my forehead against it and sighing heavily.

The air feels thin and I know it’s because she’s here. Down the hall from me. So close, and yet she still feels as far away as she did when she was on the other side of the country.

12

JANE

It’s been over a week since I arrived and I’ve hit the ground running with work. Arun has kept me busy meeting clients, looking over contracts, and building connections with other members of his team. Since it’s such a small group, I was worried about them being cliquey and thinking I got here just because of my brother’s connection with Arun, but so far, they’ve all been very welcoming.

My heels echo against the tile floors as I stride down the hallway from the garage to the kitchen. “I’m back,” I call out, waiting to hear Nikolai’s response. But the house is quiet as I make my way through.

I drop my bag on the counter and step out of my heels before I pull my hair up and into a ponytail. It’s scorching hot today and I can’t wait to take a shower after getting sweaty running a few errands.

“Nikolai?” I yell out, but again, no response.

When we had breakfast this morning, he said he didn’t have any plans today with it being a holiday. But maybe he changed his mind and ended up going out after all.

Things were a little awkward that first morning after I arrived as we both sniffed out the other’s energy about the unsaid words left between us. But a peace offering of eggs and coffee was extended, and it’s now become our routine that we eat breakfast together every morning before we both go about our days.

The sun is low in the sky, casting the entire house in a warm glow. I pour myself a glass of wine and sip on it as I go upstairs and change into comfy clothes for the evening.

I text Hallie, wishing I had her here to spend the night with.

Me: I miss you! Please tell me you’re doing something fun for the 4th tonight

Hallie: I’m at Bell in Hand but it’s not the same without you!

Me: Ugh jealous!

Hallie: What are you doing tonight?

Me: Nada

Hallie: Get Nikolai to take you out!

Me: idk where he is. I’m already washing my face so I’m in for the night

Hallie: BORING

If Walker and Scar would’ve been around, I probably would’ve gone over to their place for the night. But Scar has a show in Miami and Walker went with her. Carter went to shoot for her, and wherever Carter goes, Hayden follows.

So my plans for the Fourth of July now include me, myself, and I. I finish my skincare, take another sip of wine, and head downstairs.

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