Page 27 of The Forbidden
Jesus Christ Evan, get it together.
Today has seriously fucked with my head. I need to get laid. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Elite and find a willing body to take my frustrations out on.
Because goddamn it, I refuse to think about my best friend’s sister in that way.
I refuse to want Anais in that way.
And yet, something inside me screams it’s already too late.
Chapter 14
Anais
The next morning, I’m startled awake by loud knocking at my door.
Groaning, I grab my phone, checking the time. 8:45AM. On a Saturday. Seriously. Who the hell thinks it’s an acceptable time to knock on my door, this early on the weekend?
I climb out of bed, pull on a pair of sweatpants and trudge to the door, moody and muttering curses under my breath.
Rising to my tiptoes, I peer through the peep hole, my brows knitting in confusion. Harrison? What is he doing here?
“Open up, sis, I know you’re in there,” he calls, his voice laced with amusement.
I make quick work of unhooking the security chain and swing the door open, shooting him a glare. His smiling face is met with narrowed eyes until I spot the two takeaway cups in his hand, one stacked on top of the other. My mood lifts instantly. It’s a peace offering for disturbing me so early no doubt, but I appreciate the gesture. Caffeine is needed.
“What’re you doing here?” I ask, yawning.
With a smirk, he shoulders past me and heads straight to the couch, placing the cups on the coffee table. It’s only then I notice he’s in his running gear. “I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d check in on my favorite sister.” He reaches forward, grabbing one of the coffees.
I narrow my eyes, suspicious.
Sure, Harrison and I are close, but he neverjuststopsby to see me.
“I’m your only sister.” I deadpan. “Only sibling for that matter.”
He laughs. “Touché.”
I snatch up the other cup and take a sip. When the sweet flavors hit my tongue, I sigh. Caramel, vanilla, oat milk latte. My favorite. My brother sure knows how to sweeten me up.
“So, what are you really doing here, Harrison?” I ask, lowering into an armchair across from him.
“Went for a run to clear my head.” I eye him and he sighs. “Just some stuff going on at work.” He shrugs. “You won’t be interested in the details.” He chuckles. “I wanted to check in, see how things are going. Make sure my sister’s okay and thriving in the corporate world.”
I roll my eyes, my smile unstoppable. “I’m good. Just exhausted.” I yawn as if to prove my point. “Work’s been insane, and I had a late night.”
“Oh, yeah?” he asks, casual albeit curious. “What were you doing?”
I freeze. My heart pounds in my chest. Do I tell him I was with Evan? Will he read too much into it? Technically it was innocent, just two people at a karaoke bar. And maybe I subjected him to my poor singing. And maybe he drove me home and walked me to my door. And maybe, just maybe, the hopeless romantic in me imagined him down on one knee by the end of the month.
Okay, yes, I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m also aware that my delusions when it comes to Evan are very much real. Yet, I can’t help myself. But I believe in manifestation. If I keep saying Evan is mine, then surely, one day, he will be?
“I was working late… then I took Evan to a karaoke bar,” I blurt, feigning nonchalance.
Harrison’s eyes bug, confusion taking over every inch of his face, as if he can’t quite grasp what I’ve said. He blinks,clearly blindsided. “You and Evan went to a karaoke bar?” he repeats slowly, as if he is testing the words on his tongue.
“Yeah,” I nod, confirming he heard me correctly. “Your friend needs to loosen up. He’s so rigid all the time. So, I dragged him to The Harmony Lounge. Didn’t work, though. He stuck out like a sore thumb in his three-piece suit, wearing a scowl,” I laugh, remembering how Evan looked last night. “The man has zero chill.”
“No, he doesn’t,” my brother murmurs absently, eyeing me with suspicion.
