Page 97 of For the Win

I sit and debate whether it’s a good idea for about ten seconds, reminding myself that we’re leaving in the morning for Vancouver.But I don’t want to wait until we get back to see her.I need to see hernow.

Flushing my good judgment down the toilet, I grab my wallet and keys and jump into my vehicle.Arya’s place is only a few minutes away.

I pull up in front of the house.The light over the front door glows, and lights are on inside.Smiling, I jump out and stride up the sidewalk to the small yellow house.

I lean against the wall after I ring the doorbell, waiting.I get a little lost in thought, thinking about Arya, and then realize a minute has passed and she hasn’t answered the door.I ring the bell, again, frowning.I can hear it, so I know it’s working.

When there’s still no answer, I pull out my phone and text her.

Hey, answer your door.

After a few seconds, the little dots start jumping around and then her reply arrives.

What?Is that you?

Yeah.

A few seconds later, I see her peer through the small window and then slowly open the door.

“Hi!”

She stares at me.

My smile fades.

Her eyes and mouth are drawn tightly, eyelashes fluttering.

“What’s wrong?”I ask.

“What are you doing here?”

“I missed you.I wanted to see you.I just thought I’d drop by...”She’s decent, dressed in leggings and a sweatshirt, so it’s not that I’ve caught her naked, having a bath or something.

She presses a hand to her heart.“You scared the crap out of me.”

I gnaw on my bottom lip briefly.“I did?”

She closes her eyes, looking like she’s going to cry.“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

Her jaw tightens and she opens her eyes to glare at me.My insides squeeze up.

“Why the hell did you come over here without telling me?”she demands.

I blink.I don’t move.“What?”

“You can’t do that!”she cries, shaking her head and frowning.

“Calm down.”I hold up my hands, palms out.

Her eyes widen.

Right, right.Telling women to calm down is the wrong thing to say.“I mean...”Frantically, I try to think of what to say.“Can we sit down and talk.”

“No!”She’s trembling now.“No, we can’t.”

“Arya, come on, I just stopped by to see you, it’s no big deal.If it’s not a good time?—”

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