I continue to stare out the passenger side window and ignore him. He’s like an exotic animal in a zoo—as much as you want to enjoy its beauty, and pet its gorgeous fur, you can’t make eye contact without worrying it might jump on you.
“How’s your mocha thing?”
“It’s really good, actually.”
He takes a final drag on his cigarette and then throws it out the window.
“Does this sort of thing happen a lot, Evelyn?”
I chew on my lip. I don’t want to talk to him, and I especially don’t want to talk about Michael. I think all I really want to do is go home, make sure Halo is okay, and go to bed. For about a week.
“Evelyn? Why aren’t you talking to me?”
An aggravated sigh escapes me before I can stop it. “Storm, I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Maybe you’ll feel better if you do.”
Leaning my head back against the seat, I shake my head. “No, I really won’t.”
He leaves it alone and we don’t talk anymore until we are near my condo. “Turn left here,” I tell him. “It’s the last one on the right.”
He parks in what is my parking spot. “Can I come inside with you for a few minutes?”
I wasn’t planning on him actually coming into my house. It feels too strange to me to have a man who I basically fooled around with in the home I share with Michael. Slut.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea...”
“I’d like to meet Halo and make sure he’s okay before I leave. You’re here without a car. What if he’s sick or something? You’re stuck here.”
Oh, wow. I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m going to be stuck here until Michael comes home tomorrow.
I give in, but only because I want to make sure my cat is okay before I let him go, and it would be rude to make him stay in the car after he let me stay at his gorgeous place.
“All right, you can come inside for a few minutes.”
He grabs my bag and looks around the parking lot before opening his door and coming around to my side to open the door for me. I’m impressed by this gesture. A bit of chivalry at an unexpected time can make a girl really happy. Take note, men!
I feel a bit embarrassed when we go inside. Our condo is small, a bit outdated and rather cluttered. And I have no idea what sort of mess Michael has left behind without me here to clean up after him.