Page 91 of Pretty Thing

“Then trust me when I tell you that you’re calmer when you’re away from the house. You don’t look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. At least here, you can start fresh.”

“And what would I do with the house?”

“We can get a storage unit and put everything in it. That way you don’t have to throw anything out until you’re ready. You can rent the house or sell it. The point is that it’s your choice and you won’t have to drown with the memories all around you.”

I look down at our joined hands, then push myself up to my feet and walk over to the window.

Felix is suddenly behind me, and I startle when he places his hands on my hips.

“How many times this week have you randomly started to cry just from looking into a room and remembering something about your parents? I went through the same thing after my mum died. This place really saved me from getting lost in those memories. Let it help you too.”

Taking a deep breath, I slowly turn around to face Felix. But before I can get a word out, he kisses me.

Our lips mold together, and I suck in a shuddering breath. The way he touches me is all-consuming. I feel myself being pulled down into a pool of desire as he presses my back up against the wall.

When he pulls away, my breathing is ragged. A moan escapes my lips while he kisses along my jaw down to my neck, where my pulse flutters under my skin.

“Say yes. Say you want to move in here with me,” he whispers in my ear, making me shiver.

I lick my lips, trying to put a solid thought together.

“I…I genuinely like the idea but, I need to think about it.”

Felix looks me in the eyes, and guilt twists like a knife as his face falls.

“Oh…sure.” He steps back and puts his hands in his pockets. “Take all the time you need.”

“Felix…”

“No, don’t, I get it. You’re right, this is a big decision and you should take time to think.”

He points with his thumb over his shoulder.

“We better get started on the sketch. I’ll make dinner before I take you home. You good with turkey burgers?”

“Yeah, I love them. We seem to have the same taste in…” I glance around the room that feels oddly like home. “Everything.” Felix’s lip twitches up ever so slightly.

“Come on.” He holds out his hand.

Even though he hasn’t said anything of the sort, it’s as if a wall has been erected between us. Panic begins to tap dance inside of me. Logically, I know I’m doing the right thing, but emotionally…I’m not so sure.

twenty-five

​. . .​

Felix

We are quiet for the rest of the night, but there is an edge in the air.

Eden is deep in thought while I stew over her rejection and do my best to hide it. Why won’t she just choose me? We’re perfect together and I love her. Can’t she see that I’ll do anything for her?

How do I get her to see this is where she belongs?

I draw half of the sketch for her arm sleeve. Eden isn’t so sure about a large tattoo, but she’ll say yes. I know she will, and then…then, I’ll treat her like my most exotic and important canvas. Someday she’ll wear pieces of me everywhere until she can’t look at her body without thinking of me. She will touch her skin and feel a piece of me already there.

Eden’s phone dings, and I glance over. She unlocks the screen, and I see Kyle’s name in the reflection of the window. My hands tighten on the wheel. Eden types back, then puts her phone away. It takes all my willpower not to ask about the message, but he is fucking with the wrong person.

We pull up to her driveway, and I jump out to help Eden, but I leave the car running. She looks back, and I can tell she wants to ask me to stay, but she is still fighting the inevitable. Eventually she’ll give herself over to us, and everything will be right in the world. For now…I’ll let her go at her own pace.