Page 17 of Diverge

“I can’t tonight,” I say as soon as I put the phone to my ear. Grace immediately protests.

“Come on, B! It’s just going to be a small gathering. Five people, that’s all.”

“Nope.” I don’t give her the chance to go further because, let’s be real, Finn will most definitely be there, too.

“So, is it just going to be like this all the time? You afraid of going to parties because my brothermaybe there?”

“Grace, I’m falling behind on work. I almost had my hand whacked with a ruler today by Fiona because I completely missed a deadline without an explanation. I’m going home to work, but maybe we can catch up tomorrow night?”

She audibly groans.

“Ugh, you’re so stubborn. Fine. I’ll let you know about tomorrow night, though. I might be seeing Russell.”

“Great, just send me a text.” I end the call.

****

Unlocking the door, I place my laptop and bag on the kitchen counter and remove my heels. My feet ache terribly from being squashed all day. Laying on my lounge, I look up at the ceiling and sigh, feeling overwhelmed with how many things I need to do for work. I turn my TV on and decide to procrastinate by selecting the next episode of Bridgerton.

Almost two hours pass before I realise I’m still in my work clothing. Pausing the episode, I take a shower and pull on an oversized Metallica shirt. I head into the kitchen and open my laptop. Just like I suspected, thirty emails have come in from the time I left the office until now. I cringe. Glancing at my phone, I see it light up with a notification. I smile when I see Nate’s name pop up.

NATHAN

I look at the time, and it’s almost eight p.m.

ME

My finger hovers over the Send button, hesitating before I send it. He would be in my apartment, in my space. Brushing off the jitters, I press Send.

NATHAN

Butterflies flutter in my belly at the thought of him in my home. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed him in the waterfall or after the match. Something had come over me, something primal. I just want to feel his body against mine and feel his lips against my skin. I feel safe when I’m with Nate, comfortable, like I can say anything, and he won’t judge me for it. We’ve been texting constantly since we kissed, and it has been easy with him. Not to mention, he is an excellent distraction from my current dumpster fire of a life.

I start tidying up the apartment, shoving clothes in my wardrobe and jamming the door shut. I’m not generally a messy person. I just have not had the time to get my life in order.

Speedily I make my bed and look around the room, admiring my handiwork. I feel the anxiety poking through my brain as I think about how I should be working on my ever-growing task list for work, but I squash it down and ignore it. I’m excited to see Nate again. With that thought, there’s a knock at my door.

Shit.

I forgot to put pants on. I look down at my bare legs, my oversized tee grazing my thighs. Shrugging, I walk to the door and take a breath before I open it.

Nate stands at my door as fine as ever in his white V-neck T-shirt that hugs his perfectly muscular torso, with his black distressed denim jeans.

His eyes sweep over me and land on my bare legs. I notice a smirk forming on his lips as he stands there, eating me with his eyes.

“Wow, I didn’t realise delivery boys bring the food to your door when you live in an apartment.” I crack a nervous smile at him because I somehow have forgotten how to talk like a normal person.

Yeah. Good one, Billie.

“Ha ha,” he mocks as I step aside to let him in. Grabbing the takeaway from him, I begin taking out a couple of plates from my kitchen cupboard. “Uh, what are you doing?” He looks at me like I’ve grown two heads.

“What do you mean? I’m grabbing us some plates,” I say.

“I can see that, but why?”

“So, we don’t have to eat from a cardboard box?”Duh.

He smirks. “Or so that you can have some ofmyfood.” He chuckles when I smile knowing well that I will steal some of his food.

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