me ebb and flow with the foot traffic. Some reaching their destination. Others jumping on board to get to theirs. And a few who search for an empty seat to take the weight off their aching feet.
When the chair squeaks beside me, a quiet groan escapes me.
So help me, if it’s—
“Hey,” Conner greets.
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I drop my head back in defeat.
“Long day?” he presses.
“It’s turning into one,” I mutter under my breath before swiveling in my seat to face him.
Mouth quirking in amusement, he loosens the tie around his neck, bringing my attention to the long column of his throat and his five o’clock shadow.
“Do you usually ride the subway?” he asks. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you before.”
“Do you usually talk to strangers on the subway?” I counter. “I’m surprised they still let you on here.”
His deep chuckle reverberates through me as he defends himself. “Hey, I’m an upstanding citizen, and we’re not strangers, remember? You and I go way back.”
“Yup. And we both know how unhealthy it is to live in the past.”
“Which is why you should give me another chance.”
“I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“Come on, Charlie. I was an ass in elementary school. I had shitty friends, and my parents were going through a divorce. It screws up little kids, ya know? All I’m asking for is one date. That’s it.”
There’s something about the sincerity in his voice that almost makes me crumble. Then I remember all the mornings I’d stare at myself in the mirror, running my little hands through my cropped haircut with tears in my eyes, begging my dad to let me stay home so that I wouldn’t have to face Asshat Conner Daniels.
Seems fate makes the decision for me when I hear the conductor announce our next stop.
“Gotta go, Conner. Sorry about your parents’ divorce.”
Then I stand up and leave.
Chapter Eight
Levi
Mouth full of foam, I brush my teeth while trying to figure out if the data I’d collected for a report managed to reflect the changes in the market over the past year. A dull headache threatens to surface, but I push it aside. I don’t have time for that shit.
I’m rinsing my mouth when my phone vibrates.
Charlie: Hey.
Me: Hey.
Charlie: Is your roommate stalking me?
Furrowing my brows, I type my reply.
Me: I don’t think so? Why?
Charlie: I ran into him again. Coincidence? Debatable.
Me: Probably a coincidence. But I’ll talk to him if you want me to.
My protective instincts flare at the thought, but I wait to bust Conner’s ass in case Charlie wants to handle it herself. She’s a big girl and can fight her own battles. But I’m also not against battling them for her if she ever needs me. Especially if they involve a guy who’s sniffing around something that doesn’t belong to him.
She doesn’t respond right away, so I take a second to throw on a fresh T-shirt then hang my black towel back on the hook.
Charlie: Meh. Don’t waste your breath. Just curious. How’s your internship going? Any updates?
Me: Not really. Feeling burnt out. Want to meet for a run tomorrow or something?
Charlie: Ooo…yes, please! Want to meet at Forever Grey tomorrow?
Me: What’s that?
Charlie: It’s a dog lover’s dream, my friend. A dog lover’s dream. What time works for you? I know work is crazy….
I sort through my schedule before shaking my head.
Me: Either at the asscrack of dawn or late at night. Preference?
Charlie: You know I’m not a night owl.
Me: Ass crack of dawn it is.
Charlie: Perfect. Wanna meet at Get Baked? It’s only a couple blocks from Forever Grey.
Me: Sounds good.
Once I’m finished typing my response, I open the bathroom door to see Conner on the other side.
“Hey.” Lifting my chin, I step around him with the intention of collapsing onto my bed and sleeping like the dead. Charlie doesn’t want me to interfere, so I won’t. On my way to my room, Conner stops me.
“Hey. Can I talk to you for a sec?”
My suspicion spikes, along with a few instincts I’d rather not address when I’m so damn tired, so I clear my throat and say, “Yeah. What’s up?”
We’ve been sharing a place since our sophomore year of college. After we received our internship offers, this two-bedroom apartment showed up for rent. We figured it was a convenient coincidence and signed the lease a week later.
“It’s about Charlie.”
A sardonic laugh slips out of me.
Of course, it would be about her.
“She mentioned you were stalking her. Should I be worried?”
Grabbing the back of