Page 32 of Just for Her
Chapter Thirteen: Allison
Ileft the Wilkinsbuilding, feeling conflicted. Sad that my time here was done and pleased that Paul had gone out of his way to do something so nice for me. Honestly, I thought it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me.
I’d only known him a short time, but I was going to miss him.
Miriam was at the apartment when I returned, and she didn’t look happy. “Where have you been? Your note said you were leaving today.”
“I am.” I waved toward my suitcase, packed and ready to go. “And I was helping Paul.”
“Why?”
“Because he’d asked.”
“Really?He’dasked? Oryoudecided he needed your help?”
Her attitude and snarky tone raised my hackles.
“What is your problem?”
“What is my problem? Uh, you decided to leave a day earlier without even talking to me about it, then spent the whole day with someone else.”
I shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
We hadn’t spent much time together. I was an early bird; she was a night owl. During those hours where we were both awake and functional, she tended to do her thing and left me to occupy myself. To be clear, I was quite happy with how I’d spent my last few days in Cecilton—or more specifically, with whom I’d spent them. Which was another reason why I’d decided to leave sooner rather than later. I was falling for Paul Cerasino.
“It means, I didn’t think you’d mind,” I repeated. “You spend most of your time at the bookstore anyway.”
“I write better there.”
“I know.” I did. I didn’t understand it. I thought writing was something you could do anywhere. But, as she was the aspiring author, I pressed my lips together and said nothing more.
Her eyes narrowed. “I know that look.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you’re biting your tongue. Gah! I should have known you wouldn’t take my writing career seriously.”
“Stop being overly dramatic. I do take your writing career seriously. I’m just saying, you could be a little flexible, you know? I took the whole week off to come down here and spend time with you.”
“No one asked you to!” she yelled.
I reeled back, her words like a slap to the face. I knew she was just lashing out. That I was the only person on this earth she felt safe enough with which to do so. But it still hurt.
The ensuing silence was deafening. We stared at each other for several long moments.
