Page 15 of Save Room for Us

“Yeah, that’s why people can’t stand him,” I finally said, and we chuckled in unison.

“Well, while you two play, I will make some Green Chile Chicken for you.” My mother stood, bent down some to kiss my forehead, and switched off.

As much as I complained about her ass, because she could be annoying, I was thankful for my mother.

My mom’s doorbell sounded off and was followed by heavy knocks, startling me from my sleep. Sophie was with her aunt and cousins for an ice cream date, so I was trying to actually get some sleep for once, since I never could at night. I would stay up for hours just pondering, wondering if I should have done things differently. Additionally, I suffered from really vivid nightmares.

Climbing from the bed, I opened my mother’s security app to see who the fuck it was. If it was some door-to-door people, I was gonna leave their asses outside and continue on with my slumber.

My stomach dropped seeing Asif there, and for several reasons. For starters, why? Secondly, how did he even know where my mother lived? Lastly, he made me too skittish, and I wasn’t in the least bit presentable condition, making things worse.

Standing, I glanced around the room in a slight panic, wondering what I should do. Quickly, I rushed to the bathroom and washed my face, then brushed my teeth before rinsing with mouthwash. I had no time for flossing, so I would do that once he left. Having taken long enough, I realized my boxer shorts, sleeveless crop top, fuzzy socks, and clipped up hair would have to do.

This was not a damn date, and most importantly, I was four years his senior, so he wasn’t even a prospect. He couldn’t even be a fuck buddy because I needed to be alone for a while, at least until my trial was over. Once my life was back on track and normalized, only then would I dream of dating anyone.

“Hey.” I opened the door, feigning confusion as if I hadn’t known he was out there for almost ten minutes.

As his eyes roved over my face, it was only then that I remembered I still had some bruising around my right eye and mouth from Cedric and didn’t have on makeup like the last time he saw me.

“You good?” He frowned lightly, staring down at me. I swear he got taller every time I saw him, and his build was so perfect as if he’d played professional sports.

“I am. I’m just confused as to why you’re here. I mean, not like that but?—”

“Nah, I feel you.” He glanced off. “Can I come in?”

“Okay.” I stepped back, and he slipped inside, his cologne immediately taking over the living room space.

He took in his surroundings, then sat down on the couch. When I noticed he was waiting for me to join him, I hesitated.This couch wasn’t the biggest, and it felt wrong for me to be here with him alone and sitting this closely. So I opted to stand.

“Sit down, Stazi.”

“I’m fine. I need to stand.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve been sitting down too much today already and need to stretch my legs.”

His face lit up cutely as he chuckled a bit, sinking into the couch and throwing his arm along the back.

“Sit down, please, love.” He ran his tongue along his bottom lip, something I had begun to look forward to whenever in his presence.

Exhaling, I made my way over and sat down as closely to the arm of the couch as I could, leaving a comfortable space between us.

“How did you find out where I lived?”

“Your sister is married to my brother. It wasn’t that hard, Anastazia.” He smirked.

I loved the way he said my full name.

“You just wait until I talk to her ass next,” I joked, making him grin. His eyes darted down slightly to my chest, making me peer down, and I was mortified to see milk stains along my nipples.

Sophie was still drinking breast milk whilst eating regular food, and therefore, I still leaked at times. Of course, for some reason, Mother Nature thought now was fucking perfect.

“Oh my gosh.” I covered myself. “Let me change real quick.” I started to get up, but he put his hand on my forearm, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.

“You straight. It’s natural.”

“Okay. So what’s up?” I relaxed once he finally took his big warm hand off me.

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