Page 117 of From Now On

And this thing between us? It doesn’t feel anywhere close to over.

CHAPTER THIRTY

EVE

It’s strange how much your perception of a place can change. How a place can look the same, but you feel so different.

I stare at the exterior of the apartment building where Ben lives with David and one other friend, fiddling with the bracelets on my left wrist.

I’ve been here hundreds of times before, but this is my first visit post-breakup.

Mary texted me this morning, once again begging me to come to the movie with her tonight. And I—fresh off the high of the most incredible sex I’d ever experienced and filled with a confidence that I could conquer anything—agreed.

I miss my friend. And being around Ben sounded easier after what happened with Hunter last night. We’ve both been with other people. And Ben hasn’t attempted to contact me since our conversation on Monday.

More thaneasy, seeing Ben felt like an opportunity for growth. A chance to show myself I’m strong enough to recover from losing someone.

I didn’t answer my dad’s call on Tuesday. This feels like a second step in the same direction.

I dry my sweaty palms on my favorite pair of jeans and blow out a long breath before starting up the concrete walk. I’ve never noticed before, but the path to the front door is more cracks than solid cement.

My stomach grumbles, reminding me I skipped lunch and haven’t had dinner yet. I was in the studio most of the day, finishing my new painting for Professor Alday.

I buzz the button for 3A, and a male voice answers with a “Yeah” seconds later.

It’s hard to tell with the static, but I think it’s Devon, Ben’s third roommate.

“Hey, it’s Eve.”

More static, then the click of the door to my right unlocking. I grab the handle before it locks again.

Warm welcome.

The elevator in here only works half the time, so I head for the stairs. My mind wanders to Hunter as I climb the three flights, partly because I’m reminded of him every time the seam of my jeans rubs against my underwear.

The sex was good. So,sogood.

But the emotional connection—talking to Hunter on my couch in the middle of the night—is the main reason he’s filled my head all day. When he was talking about his brother, I got the sense that it’s not a topic he discusses very often. I’ve never heard Harlow—or Conor or Aidan—ever mention Hunter’s brother. It seems possible that they…don’t know.

And if Hunter confided in me about something his best friends aren’t aware of, that’s a lot more than the one-night stand I crossed off my fuck-it list this morning.

I knew I felt that way about Hunter. Attraction has always been one of many feelings I have for him.

Last night, I expected the sex to seem…practiced. For him to be the popular jock who knew exactly what to do and say.

But it felt real, and not just for me. For him too.

I reach 3A, blowing out a long breath before knocking once.

David opens the door. “Oh. Hey, Eve.”

“Hi, David.”

“Thought you were the pizza.” He turns and heads into what I know is the kitchen, leaving the door open.

Okay, then.

I have no idea what details Ben did—or didn’t—share with his friends about our breakup, but it seems like they were selective. David or Devon have never been effusively affectionate toward me, but we used to exchange more than just a few syllables when I came over, at least.

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