Chapter 4

We took an Uber back to the apartments.  Elliot came back to hang out a bit with Owen.  I was wiped from the week so I decided I was going to call it a night.  All this anxiety came rushing in.  I had questions running through my mind.  Do I hug him, shake his hand or just get up and say it was nice to meet you? I decided to change, brush my teeth and just stay in my room.  

I am laying in bed flipping through the channels when I hear a knock at my door.  “Sophie, can I come in?” Elliot is opening my door.  I sit up in bed and look over.  

“I just wanted to say goodnight, and see if you were interested in hanging out tomorrow?” He looks so good, I want him to come over and kiss me.  But instead I just stare.  

“Sure, that would be cool.”  Wow I held myself together.

“Cool, I’ll see you tomorrow.  Sleep well.” And he walks out.  

I am giddy like a little kid. I layed there smiling for what seemed to be an eternity.  And then I fell asleep. 

I woke up surprisingly early the next day, and laid in bed embarrassed.  I was so taken aback by those rush of sad feelings that I just went to bed when we got back to the apartment.  “Fucking Tylerr!”, my subconscious hissed.  “Fucking Tryler!” I screamed more like I whispered but screamed in the motion.  I pull the pillow over my face.  I don’t want to wake up today.  

“Get your ass up!” He says. “Who is he?” I think. Suddenly I know exactly who it is and I can't help but smile.  Thank god I have this pillow over my face and I am turned away from him.  I can’t believe he is here, in my room, early on a Saturday.   I turn over and he is standing in my doorway.  Coffee in one hand, Adidas sweats pants on, and a gray  hoodie.  He is looking so good.  What is he doing in my doorway?  Why is he here?  What do I look like? Why does he look so good in the morning?  Again, why is he standing in my doorway? 

“What time is it, and  what are you doing here so early?” He is now sitting on my bed.  “Oh shit, my breath!” The brain within my head screams. I drag my covers over my head.  

“It's 9: 30, and I brought you a coffee. Emily told me how you like it.” He hands me the coffee and it's so warm.  His hand rubbed mine and I could feel electricity run through my body.  “I thought we could go for a walk around the river. It's beautiful out and I'd like to get to know you a little.”  I am in shock.  I can’t believe he is in my room, on my bed.  He looks so good, smells even better and I am suddenly reminded that I probably look terrible.  

“Who does he think he is?” She screams, my subconscious. 

“Umm. ok! Can you give me a few?”  I asked and I got up off the bed.  I walked over to my closet to grab my robe.   When I turn around he is right there in front of me.  He  bends down,and says “I am going to kiss you before I go” He doesn't wait for a response but I also didn't stop him. He grabbed my cheeks and our lips met.   It was a soft kiss.  The inside of my body is on fire.  I can feel the chills all over.  “Just what I like to see.” And he walked out of my room.  

He's waiting in the living room.  He looks so good.  Why does he have to look this good so early in the morning, how does he look so good?  So refreshed.  Did I mention handsome? 

Owen and Emily are sitting on the couch watching reruns of The Office. . “Do you guys want to come for a walk?” I asked, not sure why I didn't really want them to, but I thought I’d be nice.  

“No!” Emily gave me wide eyes, “we are going to hang out and catch up on the DVR.” 

Elliot handed me my coffee and grabbed my hand. And we were off.  Going for our walk.

We crossed over to Memorial drive so we could walk along the river.  Surprisingly there was a good amount of people out.  He starts talking “So Sophia, what's your story?” He smiles when he looks down at me. Ok, we are doing this huh? He is going to casually call me Sophia.  I don't really know how to respond.  There are two people who call me Sophia.  My dad and My papa, my dads, dad.  I started laughing. 

“What's so funny?” He seems a little shy.  

“Oh, nothing really.  Nobody really calls me Sophia except My dad and my papa.  It just took me by surprise.”

“Well, I'm not nobody.” He winks.  “So, tell me Sophia.  What's your story?”  

 “What's my Story?  I don't know that I have much to tell.” I laughed. 

“Oh, come on everyone has a story.” He nudges my shoulder. 

 “What's your story Elliot?  You are far more interesting than me!” I giggled. 

 “Fine, are you always so stubborn? ” he let out a breath, and I laughed.  I took a sip of my coffee and looked at him 

“Well, I'm waiting!”  He smiles and starts.  

“I grew up in Arlington.  I have 2 siblings, an older sister and younger brother.  I graduated high school in 2014, and right after I moved to California for college.” I am intrigued.  “What made you choose California?” I was curious. 

 “I have lived here my whole life. I wanted to travel a bit, but I also wanted to live out there for a while.  I thought it would be the perfect opportunity.” 

I could listen to him talk forever.  He has such a strong business man voice and every now and then his Boston accent comes through and he forgets to pronounce his r’s.  I tell him about my dream to drive the coast of California and I want to visit lake Tahoe.  Of course he tells me all about his visit to Yellowstone, and  Big Bear.  He swam in Lake Tahoe.  He tells me how beautiful it is out there.  I am starting to feel jealous.   He is insanely perfect.  “Almost too perfect!” My subconscious chimes in, again.

“So, What about you?  Tell me some things.” He wraps his arms around my shoulders.  

“There isn't much to tell.” I say.  “I haven’t done anything extravagant.  I went to Boston University on an academic scholarship.  I was all about the books during school.  I know a huge nerd.” I look up at him.  He smiles.  I’m  an only child.  My parents were never married.  They split up when I was really young..  My mom actually left us when I was about two, and I haven't seen her since.”  I nervously laughed.  He looks sad, like he feels bad for me.  

“It's not too bad.  I never really missed her.   My dad is amazing and he made sure I was loved, and loved a lot.  He has 4 siblings, 2 Older sisters and 2 younger ones.  They all still live within walking distance of each other.  We lived with my Nana and Papa in a two family house on the same street as Emily.  It was the same house my dad grew up in.  I have a huge family and everyone has made me feel loved, so not having her around was never an issue.” 

“Well, that was a lot.” My subconscious hissed.  I just rolled my eyes.

I stopped talking for a little bit.  I want him to process my story a little.  Gosh, he is so damn good looking, tall and I am captivated by his eyes.  His hat is on backwards so the sun keeps beaming off of him.  “You are such a sap.” She hisses my subconscious.  

"Family is awesome and having a big one is just as sweet.” He says.  

“Yeah I have 12 cousins and I make lucky number 13.  It’s nice, it made my childhood fun.”

“So what's your favorite thing to do when you aren't at Joe’s working?” He says with a smile..  How does he know I go to Joe's?  He has literally seen me once. 

“How do you know I go to Joe's to work?” I gave a little attitude when I asked. 

“I don’t really know.” he laughs “I was just guessing by how comfortable you looked when I first caught your eye?” he winked at me.

We keep walking just enjoying the scenery.  Casually he says “I actually went to Joe’s  every day for the next few days after I first saw you there to see if I would bump into you, and I tried to find you in the gym.” He stops and smiles and lets out a laugh. I am blushing again, I can’t believe he went there to look for me.  “I sound like a stalker.” He says.  

His hand grazed mine and we locked eyes for a moment.  He has such a freaking charm.  Everything about him. How is this freaking possible?  There has to be a flaw. 

“You went into Joe’s everyday?” I'm shocked.  He is laughing.  

“I went for 5 days straight.  I thought maybe it was too good to be true.  But, then I saw you while you were getting your mail and you seemed in a hurry.  I thought fate was trying to bring us together.  Then I went to Owen’s for dinner one night.  Emily was there, and she was saying how they wanted to set me up on a date with her best friend.” He stops, and looks down at me because we are still walking.  “They showed me a picture of the person they wanted me to go on a date with, and when I saw it was you, I couldn’t believe it.” 

He shakes his head almost embarrassed for admitting this to me.  “I am not usually someone who comes out with my feelings like this.  But, something is different with you.  I feel like it just comes easy.” He grabs my hand and our fingers lock around each other.   We stop and we are now facing each other.  I am drawn to him, I am drawn to everything about him. Suddenly I have this urge to kiss him and I don't even ask.  I just leap up and plant one on his lips.  Just a little gesture.  Then turn away and start walking again.  

Thank god I have sunglasses on.  My eyes would give off everything I am feeling right now, and I need to keep it together.  

I decided to take it back to our conversation about Joe’s.  “Maybe we could get a coffee at Joe’s together one morning. I go there most days.  I do a lot of my people watching there.  I also  enjoy walking around the city.  That’s where most of my inspiration comes from.” I stop and I am slammed with fucking thoughts of Tyler, yet again.  

All that is consuming my thoughts is Tylerr and all the heartache I experienced because of him.   Elliot notices my mood change and he wraps his arm around me again, “whats up babe?  What just happened?”  He’s calling me babe.  I hated when Tylerr would say that but something about Elliot saying it, i get chills down my legs.  Did he really just call me babe? 

“Nothing, I just  haven’t done that in over a year though, you know, walk through the city.” I am sad when I say that.  

“Why not?  You live basically in the city.” He is curious. 

Ok here I go.   “Well, last year I caught my boyfriend having a coffee at the Starbucks near my office, one I used to go to all the time. But,  he wasn’t just having coffee.  He was on a fucking date..” I let out a laugh.  

“You what?” He is nervously laughing.  Seems genuinely concerned. 

 “You heard me correctly.” I look up at him and he is in shock.  “I know, crazy right?  The thing is, it had been going on for a year  and I was so clueless.”

He was silent for a few blocks.  I was silent for a few blocks.  Did I mess this up?   I don't like the silent treatment.  And before I know it I am on the ground, coffee is all over me.  My knee is bleeding, my elbow is bleeding, my face is bleeding.  I am a stone on the ground, unable to move.  

“Holy Shit Sophia, What the hell just happened? Are you ok?” He says with sadness over him.  

I am so wrapped up in my brain, i didn't see the big slab of concrete laying where i was about to walk, and i tripped over it and well here we are.  I am holding back tears, a lot of them.  But I am in pain, I am embarrassed, I am stressed out, my anxiety is through the sky.  I need to hide, but where?  Suddenly my tears come and I have no control of them

He scoops me up and cradles me.  Thank god we aren't far from the apartment just like six blocks. Not a big deal, when you aren’t carrying someone.  He's like superman right now.  He kissed me on my forehead and said “I'll make sure you get cleaned up and we may need to get you to the hospital.” I am sobbing now. 

He barges through the front door and yells for Emily to get the first aid.  She comes running in terrified.  I am covered in blood.  

“Uh, what the heck, what happened?” She yells. 

 “She fell, well tripped I don't know.” He says to her. 

 “We have to get you cleaned up” Emily hisses “Elliot turn on the shower please?” She yells.  Her and Elliot walk me to the bathroom and Emily shuts the door letting Elliot know she has it from here.  

“Emily, I don't even know what happened.  It was all so fast. Oh my god, I hope I don't need stitches.  I am so embarrassed.” I say

 “You're going to be fine, I got you.” She's trying not to laugh, but our eyes meet and there we are, laughing hysterically as she washes the shame off my body. 

The shower did not feel great on these open wounds, but it did feel refreshing.  After getting all the blood and dirt washed off.

After I was dried off and bandaged up, we realized I was not going to need to go to the hospital, but it was better to rest the day.  I was going to swell and bruise and it was best to ice it for a while.  

Elliot is on the couch with Owen and they are laughing.  He noticed me walking out of my room down the hallway, he got up and came to help me.  

“I'm just going to run upstairs and shower, I’ll be back in a few.” Elliot says and kisses me on my forehead, again.  It is really going to take some getting used to that this man I am falling for, and  shares the same building as me. 

 “You’re coming back?” I am confused.  Emily and Owen walk out of the room towards Emily’s room.  And i am suddenly feeling nervous.  

“Yeah, I just need to shower.  Are you cool with that?” He asks as he helps me to the couch. 

“Yeah, I just wasn't expecting you to want to hang out.” 

“I was planning on hanging, if that was cool.  Those  two are running out and I figured we could continue the conversation we were having before you ate the pavement.”  He nudges me and laughs.  

“It’s cool” I say and I snuggled up on the couch.

 Emily and Owen went out to run some errands.  I have ice on my knee and forehead. “I am a freaking mess!” I said out loud. 

“You are a beautiful, freaking mess babe.  I’ll be back quickly.” He kisses me on the forehead and heads out.  

I cannot believe this is happening, what is happening? I am not usually this messy, sloppy.  My thoughts move faster than I can keep up with.  I haven’t felt this ever.  He is so charming, good looking, and nice.  Is this too good to be true? “Don’t let your guard down!” She hissed, my subconscious.  “We can just have fun, though.  Can't we?” I said to her back.  

There is a knock at the door about fifteen minutes later.  I get up and walk over, looking through the peephole, its him.  I knew it would be, but I wanted to be sure.  I open the door and he walks in.  As we walk back over the couch he puts his arm around me,   “You doing ok gimpy?” He says.  

“Oh, just fantastic!” I laughed. 

 “You are really clumsy huh?” He's making a joke.  

“Not normally, but since you are around, yeah I guess so.” I rolled my eyes and half smiled.  “I am so embarrassed.  I really can’t believe that happened.” I put my hands over my head. 

He comes down to where I am sitting,   “Don’t be embarrassed.  I  know you were staring at me, because I am so good looking.”  He is hysterical.  I am so embarrassed, I feel my cheeks turning red.  “Relax, I am kidding Sophie.  You got a bottle of water?”  He smiles

“In the fridge, can you also bring these to the freezer?”  I toss the ice packs.  

He comes back and sits down.  “ Hey, can  I do something?”  I’m not really sure I understand the question. But,  I think I shook my head yes and before I knew it he was over me.  He bends down and starts kissing me.  I kiss him back.  This feels so good, but a little weird.  It feels right, almost too right. 

“I have been wanting to do that since this morning.” He leans in for another one and I don't stop.  I wrap my hands around his neck, and my fingers are draped in his hair.  I don't want this to end. “Actually I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you in Joe’s that first time.”  I can’t control myself, I just keep kissing him and my hands are rubbing his back, I take his hat off and start rubbing his hair.  I love how I can grab it with my hands.  He kissed me for what seemed like eternity, and I was feeling so relaxed in his arms.  He breaks away from my lips but his forehead is resting on mine.  “I need to stop, before I wont be able to. ” He kisses my forehead and sits next to me putting my legs over his.  

He grabbed his phone and started calling someone.  I hear “Sup buddy, do you guys wanna grab some lunch?  Cool, I'll put an order in at Jack’s. Sounds good, see you soon!” I am sitting here watching him, like he is a show. 

 “I want him to put on a show!” my inner vixen screams. “Oh would you simmer down!” My not so inner vixen shouts back and I just laugh on the couch.  He gets up and walks towards the kitchen.  He brings me a bottle of water and some Tylenol.  

 This man is perfect, why is he so perfect? I thought. 

 “Why are you so charming?” What the hell did I just say? He's laughing as he comes over and puts a kiss on my forehead.  And there are the hairs on my legs growing. . 

 “I’m not charming Sophie.” He is laughing now. “ I am just a nice guy. We do exist. And you better get used to it.” He starts rubbing my legs.  “Owen is going to grab some wine at the store too.   I figured we could play some games and have a few drinks.  Are you ok with that?” He asks.

 “You have nothing better to do than hang out with me and play games on a Saturday?” I can’t believe I said that, but I am not used to this, at all.

 “Being with you is exactly where I want to be.” He grabs my hand and kisses my palm.  

“So, Soph, tell me what he did?” He says. “I have all day.” 

I moved a little and I was in pain when I did that.  He came and sat down next to me and put my legs over his, so they were a little elevated. 

“Tell you who did what?” I say.  

“Your ex, piece of shit..” he’s not smiling.  

 “You really wanna know?:”I rolled my eyes again.  

“All ears Sophia! ” There it is again.  I hold back a smile.

“I’m going to need something stronger than that.” I say as I get up and walk well, limp into  the kitchen and pour myself a drink.  “You want one?” I looked back and he was already walking with me.  I grabbed two wine glasses and poured each of us a glass.  He carried them back into the living room and we both sat back down.  He positioned himself with my legs draped over his.  

 “Ok, here it goes.” I took a deep breath.  

“I had to go downtown that day.  I usually worked in the office Monday and Friday and I would work from home the rest of the week.” This feels ok, I am just talking to him as if we were chatting about anything else.  I didn’t feel emotional, I felt a release.  I don’t know, like I can finally talk about it without breaking down.    

“Well, that particular week I had a meeting with my boss on Wednesday.  It was a really nice day out so I decided to rain the T instead of Ubering. I always stop at the Starbucks around the corner from my office.  Tyler must have forgotten I had a meeting in town that day.  Even so, this was a place I often went.  I don’t really understand why he chose it.  But there he was sitting down having coffee with a Blonde.  He had his hand wrapped around hers.” I need to take a breath,  I haven’t talked about this moment in so long.  I am afraid all those emotions are going to be brought up and I do not want to start crying in front of Elliot.  I took a big sip of my wine.  

“You ok?” he asked so genuinely. 

“Yeah, totally.  I haven’t talked about this for so long, so it feels weird.”

I took a breath.  Elliot kissed my forehead.   “Well, anyway,  I walked into Starbucks and there he was sitting having coffee and doing some casual smiling, flirting with this blonde woman. . As soon as I walked in we locked eyes and I literally just stared.  I didn't say anything, I just looked for what seemed to be an hour, but it was a millisecond.  I was in shock.  He didn’t even move. To make it all worse, it was his co-worker.  Someone, I have actually sat and had dinner with, who was engaged to be married.”  

I let out this hysterical laugh.   I couldn't  stop laughing, to the point where I couldn't breathe.    And tears are flowing down my cheeks, but they are happy tears.  This is strange. But it feels so good.  “God, I haven't laughed like that in a while.  And, I never thought that moment would bring me such joy.” I looked at him.  He is smiling for me, I think.  

“How long were you guys together?” He is tracing my leg with his hand. 

“We were together for 4 years.” I roll my eyes.  “But, he was having an affair for the last year we were together. So I guess I was in it for 4 and he checked out long before.”

 “What s dick Soph, I am sorry you had to go through that.  He didn’t deserve you.” He takes a sip of wine.  Puts his glass on the table and gives me a gentle kiss.   “I can’t believe he did that to you, I can kind of relate.” He adjusts himself on the couch and scoops up his wine.  

 “I had been dating my ex for about a year.  We had just moved in together.  I just finished showing a house and I had no major things to do at the office, so I was planning on working the rest of the day at home.”  He sips his wine and positioned his hands on my legs.  “When I walked into our apartment I could hear them.  At first I thought it was the TV but then I saw them.  I couldn;t fucking believe my eyes.  It took me a solid minute to realize what was happening and who it was happening with.”  

“You’re kidding right?” I grab my water and chug it.  I am in shock.  Who the hell would cheat on him.  

 “Nope, it's so crazy when I think about it.  I am so glad it happened, but I wish I was spared from the sight of it.  I looked at both of them and they were horrified.  I had felt there was something going on for a few months.  I just wasn’t expecting that.  So, I packed a bag and left.  When she was at work the next day, I went and packed all my stuff up and shipped it home.” 

“I’m sorry!” I say “What a bitch!  Did you say you had just moved in together?” 

“Yup, I know you’re probably wondering why I moved in with her if I suspected something was wrong.  Well, I had every intention of moving back here.  So when my lease was up I didn’t renew it, and moved in with her.  I was already sending some stuff back here like my bigger things and well I didn't really have much there.  Nothing I wouldnt replace anyways.”

I don't know what came over me at that moment, but I was on his lap.  I was kissing him, and he was kissing me.  And it was perfect.  I paused for a moment and just looked into his eyes.  They were the perfect shade of blue.  He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me down so our lips met again.  We got lost in that moment for a moment.  A moment I did not want to end.  

But then I heard the keys at the door and I knew Emily and Owen were about to enter. I regained composure and slid off.  

I hear Owen come in screaming, “We got wine, we got pizza, we got snacks,we got games.  Let's get this party started!”  I hobbled my way off of  the couch.  The three of them are just looking, feeling sorry for me. 

“I know, I’m a hot mess.” I laughed.  

“You are definitely hot, a mess is reaching.  Elliot says as he comes and kisses me on the forehead. And walked away down the hall. 

“Oh god, he really does like you.” Emily says laughing.  “You better not send him away.”  

“Emily, you have no idea.” I am smiling.

I looked around at the stack of games they just brought in.  Yahtzee, Monopoly, Pictionary, Scrabble.  All games I have.  And Emily looks at me, noticing I am wondering why she bought all the games we have.

“So while we were out, we decided to run to Target.” She’s smiling, but looking away from me.  She was trying to tell me something, but having such a hard time.  I knew what she was going to say. 

 “You guys are finally moving in together?  He has no games, you want your own?” I toss a pillow at her and laugh.  

She’s laughing. “ I wanted to tell you.  I knew you wouldn't care.  But something was giving me butterflies.  A nervous belly.  I don't know!” Her head is on my shoulder.

“I will move in at the end of August, just before we have to sign the lease here. So you have me for a little while longer.” She hugs me.

 “Emily, please!  You and I both know it will be before then.” She smiled and got up to get us some wine.

“Maybe so, but I will pay through August.  It is only fair.