Page 15 of Your Second Chance
He gave me a sidelong glance, his grin turning sly. “Ah... you’re the one with the hots for the American.”
Clive leaned against the stone building, crossing his arms lazily. “I don’t live there.” He jerked his thumb toward the ground flat next door. “I live there.”
“Come on, old man.” I refused to let him off the hook. “I know you know someone here. I’ll make the tickets front row.”
That got his attention. His face lit up, and with a low chuckle, he knocked on one of the ground-floor windows. “Wanda, wake up! Gotta get in!”
A moment later, the window creaked open, and a woman stuck her head out, her gray curls wild. “What do you want now, Clive? You grumpy grit,” she grumbled, clearly unimpressed.
Clive just laughed. “Buzz me in, love. It’s important.”
She rolled her eyes, muttered something under her breath, and disappeared. A second later, the door buzzed open.
I clapped Clive on the shoulder as he turned back toward his flat. “Thanks. I’ll drop the tickets off tomorrow.”
“Good luck,” he called after me, grinning as he shuffled away.
I didn’t waste any time. Taking the stairs two at a time, I reached my floor in record speed. I didn’t hesitate, didn’t think about it. I knocked.
A few seconds later, her blonde roommate answered the door, her mouth dropping open and a smirk spreading across her lips.
“Well, well.” She leaned against the doorframe. “Your timing is oddly perfect.” She pushed the door open wider and waved me in. “Come on, then.”
I stepped inside. It wasn’t just a flat—it felt like a home. The place was eclectic, a little wild, and completely unique. Bright, mismatched furniture, shelves full of books and knickknacks, and artwork scattered across the walls like a mosaic of their personalities.
It was exactly how I imagined Nova and her roommate would live.
As I glanced around, my eyes landed on Nova. She was sprawled on the sofa, wearing sweats, her hair a messy halo around her head. Her shirt had a few visible stains, and whenshe turned toward me, I noticed her red-rimmed eyes. She’d been crying.
“Why did you open the door?” Nova grumbled.
“I was threatening to take her out for a walk,” the roommate said breezily, clearly unfazed. “But now that you’re here, better you can walk her.”
“I am not a fucking dog.” Nova shot her a death glare. “No one needs to leash me and walk me anywhere.”
I couldn’t help myself. I took a step closer, smirking. “If you wanna get kinky, love, all you gotta do is ask.”
Nova groaned, dragging her hands through her wild curls, and stood up. She brushed past me, muttering as she headed toward the room on the right. “Why are you stalking me at my house? How did you get my address?”
“You owe me.” I followed her without hesitation.
“I don’t owe you shit,” she snapped, stepping into what I assumed was her bedroom.
It was dimly lit, the space dark and cozy with a deep purple bedspread and a few pieces of cherrywood furniture. The walls were bare except for a small mirror, and a framed photo I couldn’t make out sat on the dresser.
“Take her out, Hot Coach,” her roommate called from the living room, her voice laced with laughter.
Nova rolled her eyes so hard it looked like it physically hurt. “Ignore her.” She crossed her arms and stood near the bed like a line had been drawn.
I wasn’t about to let her off the hook. “You really want me to believe you’re not a little curious why I’m here?” I leaned casually against the doorframe.
Her lips twitched, but she didn’t respond.
“Why were you crying?” I stepped into her room, the softness of my voice at odds with the tension in the air. “And why are you dressed like this? Another hard night out?”
She let out a sharp laugh. It was harsh, almost bitter. “Yeah. Right.”
I tilted my head, studying her, but before I could say anything else, she cut me off.
