Page 35 of One Last Chance

I’m done letting Hope ruin my life through Mina. I’m done stepping aside for the sake of always sacrificing my happiness. This is a wake up call and I’m wide awake.

Chapter 12

Dayton

It’s been a while since I went shopping on foot. A nice, relaxing walk to get some groceries is all I need to wash away that lingering feeling of discomfort that’s been clinging to me ever since last night.

I look up at the evening sky. The city is the prettiest at this time of day. At the turning point between day and night. Colorful with the evening sky and slowly multiplying city lights. It almost makes me want to take a longer walk toward the park, but I think all I have the mental energy for tonight is a quiet evening with the ramen I bought and some reality shows.

Fishing out the keys out of my pocket as I get closer to my apartment, I stop in my tracks once I look up.

The world slows down. I have to blink to make sure I’m not dreaming.

I’m not. Rowland is actually there, leaning against his car parked right outside the entrance to my building. He’s already looking at me, studying me. His expression shows clearly that he knows what a mess he must have just created inside of me. It is apologetic, yet somehow still charming. As per usual, he looks gorgeous in his long coat and a suit.

My feet finally listen to me so that I can continue walking, though my knees threaten to buckle at every step. Rowland stands up and straightens his back, taking in a nervous breath as I approach.

“How did you know where I live?” I blurt. I’m not worried, not really. It’s just the first thing my mind comes up with to fill in the insufferable silence.

Rowland raises his brows and quickly opens his mouth. “I’m sorry if me turning up here is going too far. I…paid for your taxi the first time we met, remember? The address stayed in the destination history of the app.”

“Oh. It’s fine.” I manage to sound surprisingly emotionless, even if inside I’m freaking out completely.What is he doing here? Why now? Why come back after I basically ghosted him?Over all those questions and panic, a little part of me purrs with content.He’s here. He sought me out.

He seems to once again deduct where my thoughts must be going. Shifting nervously on the spot, he clears his throat before speaking.

“I found out what Mina said to you in the hospital. I know why you…pulled away. And I am sorry.” His voice softens to that honeyed tone that makes me all mushy inside.

Sighing, I hang my head down. I wish it was that simple. “It wasn’t just about what she said, Rowland, I—”

“Please,” he says sharply, stepping toward me. I tense up when he holds my hand with such urgency. The warmth of his touch passes all the way until it reaches my cheeks that start burning with the familiar heat. “I’m not trying to convince you of anything or make you change your mind. All I ask for is to give me a chance to explain. If you still want to leave things where they are, I will leave and I won’t bother you again. You have my word. Butplease, give me a chance to talk about it.”

I chuckle softly.You idiot. How the hell could I say no to you right now?

“Alright,” I whisper. He looks relieved. “How long have you been waiting here?” I ask when I dart my eyes across the car behind him. The wardens in this part of the town are relentless.

“A while,” he says in a way that indicates it’s been more than a while.

“You’ll get a fine if you keep your car parked here. There’s an allocated parking area for my building out the back of the—”

“I can handle dealing with the fine, Dayton,” he interrupts me with an endearing, crooked smile, letting out some sass into his voice.

Ha. I guess that’s right.

I nod, and Rowland finally releases my hand, leaving an uncomfortable emptiness behind. “Come on up.”

Having Rowland in my apartment is the last thing I expected today. Since we’re already walking up the stairs, it’s a bit late for me to panic about the mess, so I get my priorities straight and panic about the mess of my feelings for him instead.

The plastic bag with a few snacks and essentials in my hand suddenly weighs a ton and the feeling of Rowland’s eyes on my back drives me insane.

“Sorry about the mess. I didn’t expect anyone,” I say while opening the door and moving aside for him to enter.

He has a faint smirk on his face when he walks past. “I’ll do my best not to judge.”

This goddamn man.My heart feels like it’s about to explode.

Rowland sits on my couch while I hastily put the shopping away. Nervously fidgeting with his hands in his lap, he looks around my place. “You really like plants,” he concludes, studying the giant monstera by the window.

I almost regret rushing back into the living room, because now that I’m standing in front of him, I become painfully aware that there’s no more stalling, and we’ll actually have to talk.

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