Zane.
I tap the phone a few times against my palm.
Don’t do this, Vi. You’ve already taken enough advantage of this man. But when have I ever listened to that sane voice?
Me: Are you up?
I try to suppress the hope building inside me as my phone stays in my hand for a second before it vibrates.
Zane: Yeah.
His instant clipped response, so much like his voice, makes my heart race as if I’ve just spent a long time on the treadmill.
Me: Can’t sleep?
Zane: No.
Me: Do you speak even less in text?
What the hell is wrong with me?
Me: Sorry for being so catty. I want to talk to someone, and Ivy won’t pick up. It’s all coming out on you. Thank you so much for replying to my text. I don’t feel as alone.
As always, I blurt everything. But what I don’t expect is his next text.
Zane: Look out your window.
I quickly pull the window open and look down.
Holy crap!
My heart soars at the sight of Zane leaning against his car with something like a pizza box in his hands.
“What are you doing here?”
“D-dinner.” He cocks his head toward the pizza box.
I can easily hear him thanks to the silence of the night.
“Come up,” I say before buzzing him up.
My heart thunders as I listen to his strong footsteps, and then suddenly, he’s in front of me.
I’m beyond surprised, happy, confused, and a mix of many more emotions.
He looks breathtaking, standing at my doorstep under the faint flickering light of the lobby, and then he smiles. It’s a simple smile, like him. He isn’t trying to be mysterious or charming, but when his lips curl, a tenderness paints his face.
Standing at the door, it takes me a second to notice there’s a small box over the pizza.
“What’s that?” I motion toward it.
“Can I come in?”
I slap my head. “Yes, please. Sorry. I was so surprised to see you here.”
His steps halt just over the threshold. “If you prefer t-to be alone, I can leave.”
“No!” I smack my forehead again, and thank God he steps in. “I was thinking about you, and then you appeared. I was…just so happy to see you.”