Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
I should have never agreed to cover Courtney’s classes.
I’m not used to teaching more than once a week now, and it’s disrupted my routine.
My period is about to start, so I’m already over tired and adding extra classes to my schedule wasn’t the best idea.
But I love yoga, and I promised her I would cover for her three weeks ago, so I couldn’t go back on my word.
I have one more class tomorrow, then I’m back to my regular schedule.
All week, I’ve been worried about Jace showing up to my job or apartment, and cornering me into a conversation. I don’t want to see him or discuss our relationship. I left everything in the past when I moved here, and I have no intention of going back to him.
I want to sit on my couch, and stuff something cheesy and fried into my face as a reward for all the extra stress this week, but I’m already home and the thought of driving anywhere else feels like a monumental task, and I refuse to pay the outrageous delivery app fees.
I have the pasta salad I made for meal prep, so at least I don’t have to cook, but I don’t want it.
While I’m waiting for the elevator to take me up to my floor, I hear the front door open and footsteps approach, but I’m not in much of a socializing mood so I pretend to scroll on my phone, hoping whoever it is will take the hint and leave me alone.
“Hey, Sutton.”
I look up to find Ezra’s familiar friendly face. He’s carrying a stack of pizza boxes and a bag of something else.
“Hey. Having a party?” I tease, nodding to the boxes.
“Oh, no. There was a mix up with my order and I ended up with some extra food.” He says, seeming embarrassed.
“Wow, it’s your lucky night.”
“Good thing pizza reheats nicely, right?”
I laugh, and when the elevator doors open and we step inside. “What floor?” I ask, pressing the number for my floor.
“Same as you.”
“Really? I had no idea you were on the same floor as me. Small world.” My stomach grumbles loudly as the smell of dough and cheese fills the small elevator.
“Hungry?” Ezra teases.
“Yeah,” I laugh awkwardly. “I was just contemplating grabbing a burger, but decided driving was too much effort.”
“Well, I have more than enough pizza if that interests you.”
“Oh, no. I–I don’t want to impose on your Friday night plans.”
“My plans are to watch a movie and eat my weight in pizza. I’d actually really enjoy some company, and it’d give us a chance to catch up some more.”
The part of me that sticks to routines and doesn’t like to veer from them wants to decline, but the part of me that wants to try new things and be more spontaneous wins. Spending time with Ezra sounds like a nice way to spend the night.
“If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” You’d think I just told him he won the lottery with how bright his smile is. The elevator dings and we get off, heading in the same direction.
“Let me just change out of my workout clothes and I’ll come over.” I slip my key into the lock while I ask what apartment he’s in, but my head immediately snaps toward him when I see Ezra slipping his key… into the apartment next door.
Oh god. Ezra is my neighbor?
Ezra, who at fifteen years old, couldn’t even talk to a girl without being a stuttering, blubbering mess?
Ezra, who shyly asked me when he was sixteen, how to tell if a girl wanted to kiss him?
Ezra is the one who’s had multiple women moaning and screaming from multiple orgasms on the other side of the wall?
This whole time, I’ve been listening to my ex-fiancé’s brother and wishing…
Fuck.