Page 38 of From Us, Forever

I dropped my hands from the guitar and locked my eyes with him.

The confusion in his eyes vanished as soon as he saw the look in mine. “Jay, I want you, please,” I whispered, licking my lips.

The air sizzled, but only for a second before his mouth captured mine.

And he did just what I asked on that open terrace floor as the sun burned my body. But not more than he did; every inch of my skin.

I was still bored out of my mind a couple of days later.

With a heavy sigh, I jumped off the couch, wanting to get out of here.

Jay and the boys were currently recording their first single for their new album. I thought the band was taking it slow, but they couldn’t wait. They were more excited than ever to get this one out because they would be the sole producers and had full creative control. So they could do whatever they wanted, and those boys loved to do whatever they wanted.

Strawberry was fast asleep, so I left her in her new favorite cozy dog bed that Jay had upgraded. I gave her a quick kiss and tightened the laces on my shoes. I already had on one of Jay’s hoodies and soft black leggings, so I didn’t bother with a jacket.

A small smile played on my lips the instant I stepped out. The fresh air and the bustle of the city always got to me. It was a cloudy day, the sun hiding behind the fluffy gray clouds with a bearable chilly air sweeping my skin.

I plugged in my earphones as I started to walk down the familiar streets. I tried hard to keep my mind blank and focused on the music flowing to my ears. And it worked. Aftera few blocks, I could feel my steps getting lighter, and my heart felt like it was floating on air.

I probably looked like a fool smiling to myself as I walked. My knee was a lot better after going to the clinic that Jay suggested. They gave me a new prescription, and I was taking an advanced form of physiotherapy to help with the pain. It was still stiff at times, but the pain was almost nonexistent, and it felt like a blessing to actually walk without struggle again.

About thirty minutes in, I felt a whole lot better as I ended up right outside a grocery store. Thinking I could pick up some of the ingredients for the cake that I was craving—the one that Jay loved.

The cool air from the store washed over the beads of sweat sticking to my back.

I picked up the metal basket and went straight to the baking section since I was familiar with the store from my days as a Manhattan maid.

But before I could make my way there, my eyes caught an array of strawberry milk lined on the shelf. My heart fluttered when I saw that it was the same brand Jay used to drink when we were kids. I couldn’t help but grab a few and place them in my basket.Jay was going to love it.

After picking up all the basics, I stopped dead at the sprinkles section.

I’d been standing here for five minutes contemplating the traditional rainbow sprinkles and glittery gold ones. But then there were also the sparkly silver ones in the shape of hearts and the pink confetti ones.Why were there so many?It wasn’t helping my indecisiveness one bit.

I picked up the pink ones, eyeing the different shapes, sizes, and colors. Do I need all different shapes or are they all similar? A frustrated sigh left my lips, and I put the pink back on the shelf and went to grab the gold ones when I felt someone’s gaze zero in on the back of my neck.

A weird feeling swept through my gut as I twisted to scan behind me. The aisle was empty, but somehow, my gut told me someone was watching me, and it was different from the last time.

Feeling a sudden rush of trepidation, I threw all four of the sprinkles in the basket and rushed out of there.

My anxiety faded a bit as I entered the crowded dairy section, where everyone was minding their own business. I went over to pick the butter. Thankfully, I already had a favorite brand, so I didn’t stand there like a fool deciding for hours. Just as I exited the aisle, I felt a presence behind me.

I rotated so quickly that I almost lost my balance, but I caught myself at the last minute. My eyes immediately landed on the man with eager eyes behind his wire glasses.

“Are you Ms. Evelyn May?” he asked curiously, almost as if knowing my name was going to win him an Olympic medal.

But how the hell did he know it?

“Yes,” I said without thinking.

The gleam in his eyes was almost sinister. “Are you J.J.’s girlfriend?”

My eyes almost bugged out of my head as my heart thudded loudly.

Only then did I notice the huge camera in his left hand.

I quickly realized who the hell it was, I mumbled a quick no and rushed out of there. I noticed a few people following me as I went by the cashier.

And they all had their cameras clutched in their hands. Some even had them trained on me.

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