Page 40 of A Certain Step
She bit her lip in thought, eyes narrowing. “Fine, Jacob’s Deli. The usual but extra pickles.”
“You can have my pickles, weirdo.”
She rolled her eyes. “No, Ethan, you’re the weirdo. Something isn’t right with your taste buds.”
He made an unappealing gagging sound, prompting her to punch his shoulder playfully.
“I don’t know why you’re complaining. You get extra pickles because of me every time.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Fair, but when you insult them, it’s personal. It’s war, Everett. We are no longer best friends; we’re sworn enemies.”
“It’s bedtime for you. The theatrics are coming out. Save it for tomorrow’s show.”
She laughed heartily. “Will do. Now, get out of my flat.”
“We’re in New York, it’s an apartment.”
“It’s aflat.”
He smiled wide, leaning in to take her into his arms. “I won’t insult pickles in your presence again.”
She held on just as tightly. He didn’t want to let go.
“Yeah, you will, but thanks for being a gem about changing plans,” she added.
They parted from each other. “Of course,” he replied.
He walked out, the scent of her perfume still lingering in his nose. The feel of her in his arms reverberated through his entire being.
On his walk over to the station, he opened his phone multiple times to text her.God, I want you more than anything.Delete.My chest hurts every time we separate.Delete.I can’t believe you fell asleep on me like that. I hope you do it again, but not because you’re in pain.Delete.I think I love you.Delete.I know I love you.Delete.
He almost wished someone would bump into him and force him to accidentally hit send. That way, he wouldn’t be such a coward. He would own up to his feelings.
I want to turn back around and kiss you.Delete.You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. I’d give anything for you to want me like I want you.Delete.I miss you already.Delete.I could still smell your perfume, it’s like a damn perfect garden.Delete.I love that T-shirt you wear. It reminds me of the first day we met.Delete.What would it take for you to want me like I do? I’d do anything.Delete.
Delete. Delete. Delete.
He could erase it all in writing, deny it like his life depended on it, but the feelings would grow tenfold still.
Ethan Everett loved his best friend, with every bone in his body.
13
WILLA
Ethan forked out all the pickles in his sandwich onto Willa’s plate, spiritedly rolling his eyes in the process.
“You’re my hero today,” she claimed.
He took a bite of his pickle-free sandwich and chewed fully before speaking. “What about tomorrow?”
“That depends on whether you have pickles for me or not.”
He chuckled, taking another mouthful.
She took a bite of her pickle-heavy sandwich. They were seated on the grey sofa in Ethan’s dressing room, his Bluetooth speaker humming with a customized Bon Iver mix. Close and comfortable, as they’d always been.
For once, she was thankful for her period. Grateful for the fact that she crashed immediately after Ethan went home last night instead of letting her mind fixate on the way he hugged her before he left. Then, this morning, she woke up and distracted herself with laundry and cleaning around the house, blasting upbeat dance music to keep her mind singing along instead of marinating in unnecessary thoughts.
