Page 65 of Return Policy
“Okay. Ignoring.” After the call stops, I go back to the group chat and text the girls one last message.
Sophia
Pick you guys up at 9
“The Skittle babes are in.” I hand her phone back.
“I’m sorry… the who?” She looks at me with a puzzled expression.
“You heard me. I need to change before we go to Noah’s. Let’s go back to my place, and then we’ll stop by yours and pick up the girls?”
She stares at me, a battle waging behind her sparkling emerald eyes. Apparently, the devil—or the tequila—won because she says, “Okay.”
18
SOPHIA
“Do you mind if I hop in the shower real quick? It won’t take long,” Elijah asks as we walk into his room.
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Make yourself at home.”
Sophia Summers, how in the world did you end up in this boy’s bedroom?
The bathroom door clicks shut, and I stand in the center of the room with my hands on my hips. Last time I was here, my mind was so focused on getting my sketchbook back I didn’t bother paying attention to my surroundings. His MacBook sits on a wooden desk with a well-worn leather Bible next to it—surprising. I’ve never considered him the religious type. There’s a small walk-in closet with an NFL football poster for the Atlanta Bears taped to the door. Makes sense considering he’s from Georgia.
A metal hunting bow is mounted on the wall with arrows clipped to it.Damn, that’s sexy.Every surface is spotless, which is shocking, since most guys our age are serious slobs.
On his small dresser are a few framed photos of him and an older woman—assumedly his mom. I’ve heard him on the phone with her a few times, and they seem to be really close.I wonder what that’s like.
A small plant sits on his desk, and the thick leaves appear to be totally healthy. My lips quirk upwards at the thought of Elijah tending to his little snake plant.
My eyes snag on Elijah’s bed looking cozy as all hell with a soft black comforter and fluffy pillows. I catapult myself onto it face first and quickly realize it’s a mistake. His intoxicating scent surrounds me, and I melt into it—because if you’re gonna torture yourself, you might as well commit.
Every new thing I learn about Elijah makes it harder and harder to remember exactlywhyI’m keeping him in the friend zone.
The squeak of the shower knobs and the water shutting off has my mind wandering to the image of liquid dripping down his naked body toward his—
Pull yourself together, you horny sunflower.
Flipping over, I rest my back against his pillows and pull out my phone, immediately regretting it when I see a new notification.
SETH
Seth
Hey, how’ve you been?
Call me sometime. I miss you.
Why won’t he get the freaking hint? How am I supposed to move on from what happened if he won’t just leave me the hell alone?
Maybe the universe is telling me I shouldn’t move on from it… that I should do something about it.
I tap into his contact information, doing what I should have done months ago, and block his fucking number. I’ve been nervous it would lead to him showing up here, but I’m finally at the point where I’m willing to risk it for the chance to be rid of him.
If Alice can slay the jabberwock, surely I can handle Seth.
