Page 63 of Ripple Effect

The shower is quick, steam and warm water helping to relax my muscles. But when I step back into the living room, the sight that greets me steals my breath away. Elio—still half-naked with his mop of messy hair—is lounging on the beige couch, legs spread apart, tattoos on full display.

But it’s the mug in his hands that makes my stomach drop.

“Are you seriously drinking coffee right now?” I ask, jaw agape.

He tips the mug my way, giving me a little peek. The liquid inside is clear, steam swirling above it. “Just hot water,” he says, his voice rich with amusement.

“Oh, why?”

He tilts his head, the playful glint in his eyes softening to something more introspective. “Miss the warmth. The routine, I guess. My mornings don’t feel complete without a mug in hand.”

“That makes sense.” Drawing my bottom lip between my teeth, I contemplate a solution. “Are you—did you still want to carpool to classes today?”

“Yeah.” He takes a thoughtful sip. “I think it should be fine.”

“We could grab something else from the Seashell before we head in. You can try out somesuper-delicious herbal teas.”

His lips twitch into a smirk at my enthusiasm, but his reply is a noncommittal grunt.

“Cheer up, buttercup,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood. “We’ll get some strawberry tea, and you can think of me while you drink it.”

His chuckle is low, a rumble that sends warmth curling in my belly. “Alright, nowthatis an idea I can get behind.”

A full-on blush creeps up my neck, heating my cheeks, but I simply wave off his attempt to get under my skin. Instead, I busy myself while he heads back to shower and change.

Bentley gives a little whimper, pawing at the front door, so I let him outside for a quick breath of fresh air. His tail wags, his eyes watchful as he takes in the morning scene. And once he’s had his moment, I coax him back upstairs, ensuring he’s settled with some of his special food and water.

A few minutes later, Elio’s ready, and the two of us head back down to the parking lot together. He slides behind the wheel of his Jeep, and I settle into the passenger side. It’s a calming drive as the familiar surroundings roll by, a blend of pastel storefronts and golden sunlit trees.

“You know,” Elio says, the leather of the steering wheel creaking under his tight grip. “Until yesterday, I hadn’t missed a single class this term.”

“Really?” I glance over at him, taking in his tense jawline and the slight furrow in his brow. “I didn’t take you for the type to care about perfect attendance.”

“Yeah, it’s just that last year was chaotic, to say the least. I was juggling too much. Late nights with AfterDark, my heart playing tricks on me ... I missed more classes than I care to admit.”

Reaching out, my fingers brush the warm skin of his forearm, and I can feel the coiled strength and tension beneath. “You had to make sacrifices, and that’s okay. It’s not a reflection of who you are but the situation you were in. Besides, one missed day now won’t trip you up in the long run. And if it does, I’ll help you get back on track.”

His eyes, dark and soulful, find mine. “You know, Daze, at the risk of sounding a little bit too sappy on a Tuesday morning—I just, I feel like you came into my life exactly when I needed you to.”

“I feel the same way about you.”

His gaze is skeptical, but he doesn’t bother to argue.

He must realize that it’s not just a blanket reciprocation. When I say the words, I mean them. Sure, I’ve done a lot for Elio in the few weeks we’ve known each other, but he’s been a rock for me in ways he might never realize.

So, for now, he’ll just have to trust that what I tell him is the truth—mytruth.

* * *

The restof the week breezes by, a nice mixture of sunrises at the beach, daytime lectures, and late-night reading sessions. Elio seems to be adjusting well enough to his medications, which has helped to smooth the transition for both of us.

He continues to put on a good front around me, as though the situation is barely weighing on him. But I can only imagine how hard this all must be—relying on medication to keep your heart steady, to keep you alive and well.

I’m worried for him, of course, but I’ve become a pro at maintaining an arm’s length of distance during the day. To let him have his space and to keep my emotions, my growing feelings, on the back burner. At least for now.

Inevitably, once night comes and the sun dips low, we find solace in each other’s arms again, cuddled up in the warmth of his bed.

We made the agreement not to complicate things further, not to cross certain boundaries while we’re sharing this apartment. Though, it seems to be a threadbare promise at best. The pull between us is inescapable, an invisible string that hums with energy whenever our eyes meet or our fingers brush.

---