"We're not trying some?" I'm disappointed. He said there would be chocolate tasting tonight.I hadn't realized how close I'd worked myself next to him as we stood in front of the case until I need to take a step back in order to see his entire face."We'll be back for hot chocolate later, but let's eat dinner first. Don't worry, I wouldn't bring you to a chocolate factory and not let you take some home," Finn promises. I swear, the man can read my mind. That or all the years Ben's harassed me about my lack of a poker face weren't merely mean-spirited jokes at my expense.Hand in hand we jaywalk across the street to a large grey building hidden by trees. It isn't until we reach the door that the name Tacolicious comes into view. The store hours are listed directly below in the same thin, simple font, and I'm glad we have hours left so there won't be a need to rush.As with every other restaurant I've been to in this city, the tables are packed together and mostly full. "Chocolat
Jake, in another black suit, waits for me outside at the end of my workday on Thursday. He opens the back door and I expect to see Finn waiting for me, but he isn't. In his place sits a small rectangular green box with a large white bow wrapped around it. I assume the box is for me, but I don't reach to take it. Finn's absence hits me harder than I would have expected. I've gotten used to his smiling face before and after work each day. His excitement is infectious. Finn always leaves me in a good mood."Are we picking Finn up now?" I question as soon as Jake is in the vehicle.He meets my eyes in the rear view mirror and hesitates in his answer. "He had to stay late for a meeting, but he said he hoped the surprise made up for him not being here.""Oh." Jake's comments don't sound good. "Do you have to go back and wait for him?" I quickly work out a plan to talk Jake into making me a tagalong. I still haven't been to the building Finn works in. He's only told me they recently bou
"It happened once. One time, Pen. A year ago. A fucking year ago. I thought it was done with. It should have been over, but the girl... she took pictures. I didn't know there were pictures. I was drunk, but I don't remember pictures." Cody takes another drink from his glass. "She's been blackmailing me with threats to put them online or send them to Marissa. I paid her, but it wasn't enough. It was never enough money." He stares at my wall, lost in thought.From his marked up face, Marissa's found out. The question now is how. "When did Marissa find out, Cody?" I ask and take a drink myself."Today. Around lunch. I went over there to try and explain, but she wouldn't listen. She's crazy."Now I'm pissed. "Of course she's crazy, Cody. You slept with someone else. You're her fiancé, you don't sleep with other people!" My voice gets higher with each word."It was one time. One time! She's called off the wedding. Do you know how much we'll lose in deposits? I'll have to explain to
The keyhole laughs at me from its stationary position on the door lock. The opening is there, but I cannot get my key to fit inside. I panic. Did Finn change the locks on me? Did I break one of the apartment rules and not realize it? Did I walk past my possessions thrown out on the curb or have they already been picked over by the neighborhood vultures? How much would be left on a Saturday morning?"Your key is upside down, Aspen." It sounds like Finn's voice, but I'm afraid to move my head to guarantee it's him.My entire existence depends on keeping my body as still as possible. Any sudden movement and I might lose everything in my stomach right here on the floor. I worry puking in the hallway would violate Rule 6: No hallway adornments. Either way I can't imagine it would be looked upon favorably."Huh?" I question and hope the simple one-word response can convey what I need it to.Finn shuffles closer, as if he's approaching a wounded animal and I might attack at any moment
My shoe slams against the back wall of the closet, and I cross my fingers it landed near Finn's head and woke him up. Assholes do not get to sleep in on Sundays. I'm fuming. My actions might get me kicked out of the apartment if I don't get along with my floor mate, but I can't bring myself to give a shit.Finn walked out on me last night. At first I sat on the couch and stared at my blank television as my brain tried to process what had happened. Then I cried. I was dumped by a great guy for what? Because I did everything I could to help a friend get over her devastating breakup? I didn't cheat on him. I aged my liver a little faster, that's all. For my horrible indiscretion Finn decides I'm not worthy of him? Well, screw him.Any man who doesn't understand I would do whatever it takes for my best friend doesn't deserve to be with me. I don't know where Finn sleeps in relation to my closet, but I hope it's close. I grab another shoe to throw it at the wall and stop when I see the
HIS DOOR MATCHES MINE, but it feels harder as my knuckles make contact with the wood. Finn answers with a weary look. It heightens my pissed off mood."Aspen?" I'm not sure why he thinks I'm here, but I don't give him long to ponder it."You know what? Fuck you, Finn! You think I shouldn't help my best friend when she gets her heart broken? You think it makes me such a bad person you can't date me. What does that make you? You want to act as if I'm not worthy of you? Well your loss, buddy," I yell at him and then turn to leave.I've said my piece. I skipped over the part about being independent and it didn't sound as good as it did when I practiced it with Marissa and Amanda. Plus I'm shaking, but I said it without crying so it's a win in my book."You're not a bad person, Pen." He sounds upset. The balls on this man. He's not allowed to sound upset. He lost that right when he dumped me."Don't call me Pen. You aren't my friend," I fling back at him and then stumble over my o
I spot him as I walk out the main lobby door on my way to work, but I keep to my plan. My head held high, I reach the rear bumper of the black Escalade before he can stop me."Aspen! I know you saw me."Jake is older than I am and larger, but he's fit. I calculate my ability to outrun him and decide my odds aren't good. I have on tennis shoes, but I've never been much into distance running. Plus I have a gut feeling the man would chase me all the way to work if I tried to make a dash for it.I turn and a black-suit-clad Jake is two feet from me. The back door to the SUV is left open behind him. It's not Jake's fault Finn is an asshole. I don't want to be mean to him, but I'm not getting in the car. No way, no how."Sorry, Jake. I am going to walk today. I'm sure Finn will understand. I wouldn't want him to be around someone like me. I might talk him into making reckless decisions." I hate myself a little for the emotion that seeps through my words. I sound so catty. It's not no
The mention of Jake stirs my few remaining remnants of anger. "I don't want a ride, Finn. Rides to work aren't what you do with an ex."Finn flinches at the word ex. "I want to make sure you're safe, Aspen. I fucked up, but I would feel better if you had Jake with you. I understand why you won't do it for me, but at the very least do it to save all these sexy heels you always have on.""You think my heels are sexy?" Damnit, Aspen! Of all the crap to latch onto, I have to ask about the sexy heels.Finn perks up a small amount with my question. "Everything you do is sexy." He exhales or sighs I can't decide. "I'm such a dumbass, Aspen. I don't know what I was thinking. Please, will you come in and let me try to explain?"He opens the door wider. I shouldn't. I don't want to. But I do. I follow him inside. The door closes behind me, blocking a quick retreat.Finn's place, well I guess technically his friend's place, is larger than my 450-square-foot apartment. It's massive. My e