Page 9 of Take What You Want

It was necessary, considering no one else ever knew we were together in the first place.

But within that friendship, I’ve had to set up boundaries around my heart and keep my heart in check with my head when it comes to Nikolai.

Me: Fine. Send it to my email and I can have it back to you by the end of this weekend

Thank god this week is almost over.

Nikolai doesn’t respond, so I set my phone aside and get back to checking over my emails. A new contract proposal pops through for one of my clients, a new model fresh off a reality TV show, and I immediately open it to start combing over what I’m sure are going to be some insane terms that the agency slipped in there.

I get absorbed in the fine print and it isn’t until I feel a tap on my shoulder from Hallie that I realize the sun is getting low in the sky.

“You can finish that up tomorrow. Let’s go,” she says, already having her work bag slung over her shoulder and heels back on.

My back pops as I stretch, not having realized I haven’t moved in hours. “Damn, didn’t realize it was already that time.”

I quickly pack up my bag and walk with Hallie to the elevators. Checking my phone, I see Nikolai had responded over an hour ago.

Nikolai: screenshot

Nikolai: I’d prefer if we could go over it in person

My mouth gapes open at the screenshot he sent. It’s a plane ticket in my name for tomorrow afternoon.

“What?” Hallie asks, peering over my shoulder.

I type furiously as the elevator doors open and we step on.

Me: You can’t just do that

Nikolai: But I did ;)

Me: I have plans this weekend. Ones that don’t include flying across the country for a simple contract

Nikolai: You’ve never been a good liar LJ, so don’t start now

I narrow my eyes at the nickname. I hated it growing up. Even though my brother has always gone by our last name and not James, I was still dubbed LJ, short for Little J, by Nikolai in high school.

Yes, Walker was technically a few minutes older, but there’s nothing ‘little’ about me.

Me: Is this all because I wouldn’t answer your phone call? Because I can call you to go over it when I get home tonight

Nikolai: Nope. That offer has expired. Accept the plane ticket, Jane

Nikolai: Get out of Boston for a bit

The elevator arrives at the bottom floor and Hallie and I step out into the busy streets.

“Sorry, it’s Nikolai. He has a contract he wants me to look over and instead of sending it to me like a normal person, he wants me to fly out there this weekend,” I tell her, shoving my phone in my bag.

We start walking, our apartments only a few blocks away from each other.

“Hell yeah,” she says. “You should take him up on it.”

“Seriously?”

“Why not? It’s a free trip to LA for the weekend. Do the contract, visit your brother, and most importantly, enjoy some time away from here. You deserve it.”

I do. And I would love some time away. I used to love this city. It felt like home. But over the last year or so, it’s started to feel empty. Like something doesn’t fit anymore, or maybe, I don’t fit in it anymore.

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