Page 33 of Passion

“I am enjoying being independent.” She took a bit of the rice and set her fork down, opting for a drink of her water. She hadn’t touched her wine, which was unusual, but I didn’t ask why. I knew she was very conscious about how it affected her hydration and thus her physical appearance. None of that mattered to me, but I understood how that would affect her job.

I sat back, touching the box in my pocket through the thick fabric of my suit coat. Now was not the right time to present this to her, so I tried to set the mood so we could turn the conversation around to that topic. Unfortunately, when I opened my mouth to speak, she cut me off.

“I’m doing just fine in my place. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine.” She stabbed a bit of shrimp on her plate and brought it to her lips.

“It’s far from perfect. I’d say it’s bordering on unlivable.” The comment flew off my tongue before I could stop it. All I wanted to do was protect her, but she refused to understand that my motives were genuine. Given the lecture I received from her mother, I knew why. Like her mother, she probably had hang-ups about a man using her and throwing her away. “I’m sorry.”

She scowled at me, an emotion I hadn’t ever seen on her face. She never got angry with me previously—except when I meddled—or maybe she had but she’d hidden it well.

“Let’s not talk about that, please.” She picked up a mussel and slurped the meat off the shell. I looked down at my plate and knew I could never bring up the promise ring. “My mother is already demanding I return home. I don’t know how to handle any more pressure.”

“I’m sorry that’s happening.” I no longer had an appetite. I didn’t think the night was ruined, but seeing her unhappy just spoiled my ability to eat.

“It’s not your fault. I should have made her apologize to you for following you around and having you investigated. She had no right.” Vera pushed her food around on her plate. “If we are going to make a go at this and have a real relationship, she needs to know her place… and so do you.” She looked up at me with a somber expression.

“I’m sorry. I really wasn’t trying to meddle in your life. I just wanted you to be safe. I apologize sincerely for being like your mother and just taking control where it wasn’t my place.”

Vera nodded. It was a very tense moment. I could tell she was very upset with how I'd handled things previously, but she was responding in such a mature way about it that I couldn’t help but fall in love with her even more deeply.

“We just need healthy boundaries, okay? I know I’m quite a bit younger than you and that maybe you don’t understand that, or maybe it's some weird thing where you feel like because you’re older, you’re wiser.” She sighed. “I just want to make my own decisions. I respect that you have opinions about them, and as my boyfriend, I want to know your opinions, but you can’t make decisions for me.” She put her fork down and wiped her mouth.

“I understand and I respect that, and I am of the strong opinion that you should just move back in with me. That place is really not safe, Vera. I’m concerned about your wellbeing, and I’m also concerned that your mother might make you move back home.” I shook my head. “I couldn’t stand that. You’d be so far away.”

“I’m not moving home,” she said curtly. “I am home.” I could tell her patience was thin, but I didn’t understand why. “This is all just happening a little fast for me, and I deeply appreciate your attempt to console me and apologize, but I need a bit more time. Okay?” She folded her napkin and laid it on the table, then stood. “I’ve had a wonderful evening with you, and I really hope that we can do this again soon, but right now, I’m feeling overwhelmed and I want to go home.”

I rose and took her hand, coming to stand by her. “I really care about you. Okay? But I’m not going to say another word about the apartment. You know how I feel.” I cupped her cheek and leaned in, offering a soft kiss on her lips. “Please, call me when you’re home safe, or at least send me a message so I don’t worry.”

Vera nodded and pulled away from my grasp. Without another word, she turned and walked away. It left me standing there frustrated and upset with her. Things were already going at a snail’s pace. I had no interest in going slower. I knew what I wanted. I wanted her in my life for good, and being patient about this was killing me.

I stood there glaring at the empty deck feeling like I’d wasted my entire night. We were no closer to moving forward now than we had been before dinner. If she didn’t decide one way or the other soon, I would. And I didn’t want it to come to that, but I couldn’t just wait around while she played this game—whatever game it was.

27

VERA

Isat on my new futon, scrolling my phone. The delivery men had come and put it together for me only yesterday. After nearly three weeks of being in the place, I finally had furniture. My day hadn’t been the best. Morning sickness had gotten the better of me during a photo shoot, and I had to have my makeup redone three times. I made the excuse of food poisoning, but I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to tell Mr. Fink the truth. I was thankful Hanah wasn’t at today’s shoot to make me feel guilty.

For now, relaxing on my own furniture in my own place felt like a tiny victory. I even felt happy enough that maybe if my good mood held out, I’d call my mom later and tell her things were going better. With the steady income, I felt more confident about my future. I just had to figure out what I’d do in a few months when I started showing. I searched the job boards, but I didn’t see anything I was qualified for.

Instead of being discouraged, I distracted myself with social media, commenting on other people’s posts and sharing the few selfies I took while on the island. I noticed Daven had blocked me on everything. It wasn’t shocking, but it was hurtful. Still, I refused to be upset.

Until a droplet of water landed on my phone screen.

Confused, I wiped the droplet away and looked up. Another drop landed in my eye, and I stood up, taking a few steps away as I wiped my face with the back of my hand. Water dripped from the exposed wires dangling from the ceiling where a light fixture should go. I screeched and dried my phone, looking around frantically for what might be causing the leak.

I had no idea why water would be dripping from a wire at all, let alone my ceiling. I had my landlord’s number written on a sheet of paper held to the fridge by a magnet, so I hurried over to the kitchenette area and dialed his number. It rang several times before going to voicemail.

“Uh, Mr. Kline, I have a situation. There is water dripping into my apartment from some wires… Uh, it’s getting worse, and I can’t fix this issue. Can you please come to my apartment? It’s 312. This is Vera Davids.” I ended the call after leaving the message, but I noticed the large, damp circle on my new futon spreading.

This wasn’t supposed to be happening. I was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying my new futon. Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair and tried to decide what to do. If I just threw a towel there, the water would soak the towel and still ruin the futon. I pulled the futon away from the leak, but the dripping only continued. It was dripping faster than I first thought. Moving the futon would protect it from damage, but not the carpet beneath it, which I had delivered at the same time. It was too large to move.

I ran to the cupboard and pulled out a pan, returning to place it beneath the source of the dripping. The water pinged in the pan as large droplets hit the metal. I chewed on a nail, wondering what would be causing the leak. Maybe a pipe had burst in the upstairs apartment, or maybe they let their bathtub overflow. I shuddered to think it was anything else.

After several minutes of watching the leak getting worse, I dialed the landlord’s number again and waited, only to receive his machine again. I knew another message was pointless. If he hadn’t picked up on the first call, he was likely not in the office or just ignoring me. I tried to sit on the edge of the air mattress and stay calm, but my hands were shaking. The longer I sat there, the worse the leak seemed to be. The droplets came faster until it was a steady stream.

But when the air conditioning unit shut down, I knew something was really wrong. All I could think about was how Lucas told me that the place wasn’t safe. I had even told him that as a friend, I appreciated his opinion, but I had rolled my eyes at him, thinking he was worrying too much. And now I was about to eat my words. I looked at the ceiling one last time. I wasn’t too proud to admit I had been wrong, but I was disappointed that the one thing in my life I thought I could do on my own was backfiring on me yet again.

I dialed Lucas’s number and waited for him to answer.

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