Page 42 of Reconciling With the Rival

When I got home last night and Alissa immediately handed me a pint of my favorite dairy-free ice cream, I knew something was up.

And then the bomb was dropped—literally and figuratively. I felt like my anger was about to explode from my feet to my ears. I couldn't believe what Alissa was telling me, and at first, I didn't care about his stupid apartment being pushed back.

But when Alissa told me if the roles were reversed, he would do it for us, I conceded. I’m sure he would only let us since it involved Alissa and not me, but she was right.

As I get out of my car and head to the elevator to go into work, I know he’s probably going to talk to me about it today. I doubt he’ll appreciate my graciousness, and I’m sure he’ll figure out some way to piss me off.

I press the button to go to the thirteenth floor, and as the doors are about to close, a hand stops them.

In comes the man of the fucking hour.

How come I can’t seem to get the fuck away from him? Why does he have to be everywhere?

“Ella.”

I scoff at him as the doors finally close, the two of us the only ones in this small fucking elevator.

“So…did my sister talk to you at all last night?”

“Yes, Leo, we live together, so we tend to have conversations…” This might be the last time I’m able to fuck with him, so I continue playing coy, since soon, we’re going to have to be more civil.

“Did she talk to you about me?”

“Hmm, I don't recall you coming up in our conversation.”

He surprises me by stopping the elevator. “Ella, please. Just take me seriously for one second. I’m trying to have a simple conversation, and you always have to make things difficult.”

“Oh, I’m the one making this complicated? You’re the one invading my entire life! If I didn't know any better, I’d say you were obsessed with me or something.” I know it’s not true. It’s just really fun to piss him off, and nothing pisses him off more than me.

“In your fucking dreams, sweetheart.”

“If you want to move in so badly, you’ll have to prove it.”

He tilts his head at me, knowing what’s coming. “What do I have to do?”

“Beg, Leo. Get down on those knees of yours and ask me nicely.”

He only looks at me with a stupid smirk on his face before he drops to both of his knees, his briefcase discarded next to him. He looks up at me, his eyes hooded, and suddenly, I’m remembering a time when—

Ella, get your fucking head out of the gutter.

I reach down and cup his chin. “Now ask me nicely, Leo.”

“Ella, will you please allow me to move into your apartment for a few months? I have nowhere else to go, and you are my only hope.”

He’s talking slowly, in a tone I’ve only heard once before. I have to stop my body from shivering in remembrance of the last time I heard him speak like this. He must be really fucking desperate if he’s going through all this trouble.

“Fine.”

“Seriously?”

I sigh heavily. “Yes,” I say as I flick the switch so the elevator starts working again. “Now, get up before someone sees you and assumes we were doing something in here.”

“Would that be the worst thing in the world?” he asks, throwing his arms out and still not getting up.

“Leo, weworkhere. Get the fuck up.”

“Oh, but it seems like you enjoy seeing me on my knees for—”

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