Page 52 of Clichés & Curses

I pressed the button to my apartment floor. ‘Well, when you put it that way, it kinda does sound like itwasfated,’ I said, my tone playful. ‘But even if fate did play a role, I know better than to question it. If that was what made me and Nina roommates in the first place, then so be it. I’m just happy that it happened.’

‘What about you?’ I then added. ‘Do you believe in fate?’

I tilted my head his way to look at him, waiting for his answer.

Only to find him already looking at me.

‘I didn’t,’ he said, his voice merely a whisper, ‘but I’m starting to think I was wrong.’

His eyes bored right into mine before darting to my lips for a split second, as if it was unintentional—an accident.

It was a second I might have missed, if my attention hadn’t fully been on him.

But I caught it.

And I think Colton knew that too.

I took a sharp inhale at the way he was looking at me, only for the urge to kiss him to return in full stride.

I didn’t think I was reading him wrongly this time.

And from the looks of it, Iknewhe was thinking the same thing.

But something was holding him back, and I wasn’t sure what it was. I don’t know how long we stood there in the elevator as it continued its ascent.

‘Clara.’ I heard him whisper my name, there was a certain tone in his voice that I couldn’t fully detect.

It sounded like desire—a longing.

Colton was about to say something. And I knew at that moment, it wouldn’t be anything good, at least not in terms of keeping this friendship between us. I was aware we had been blurring lines that night, but once the words came out of his mouth, I knew there was no going back.

‘I—’ he started.

But the rest of his sentence was cut off when the elevator door opened.

I broke our gaze and exited myself, letting out a sigh of relief, while I still had my back to him.

That was a very close call.

I managed to recompose myself just in time as I felt his presence beside me.

The elevator might have paused the conversation momentarily, but I knew he still had time to voice out the words stuck in his throat. Before he could get another one out, I blurted, ‘My apartment is this way.’ Immediately, I started walking ahead of him.

Fortunately, my apartment wasn’t too far away from the elevator. By the time he caught up with me, I was already unlocking the door.

‘Thank you, Colton,’ I said, trying to make this quick. ‘For everything. I had a great time tonight.’

Seemingly catching what I was doing, Colton let out a deep breath—a closed sigh. ‘Me too,’ he said instead.

‘I’ll see you next week then,’ I paused before adding, ‘partner.’

I could have sworn I saw something like hurt flash in his eyes, but it was gone just as quickly.

‘See you next week, partner.’ He nodded at me.

Once I finally managed to unlock the door, I opened it and stepped into my apartment. I gave him one final wave before closing and locking in for the night, staying near the door for a minute, waiting for him to leave. When I heard his footsteps slowly fade away, I leaned my back against the door and let out a giant exhale.

‘You’re back.’ I heard someone say. I raised my head to see Nina still sitting on the couch, this time with a bowl of popcorn on her lap. ‘How was the date? Did you have a good time?’

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