Always You

SAVANNAH

A sound is echoing somewhere. I should open my eyes, but my body is refusing to cooperate.

I shift a bit, feeling something encircling my waist.

My eyes flutter open, and I find myself gazing at a slumbering Elijah beside me.

Memories of last night’s escapades flood my mind. Is it strange that I wish we could do it all over again?

My phone is buzzing on the nightstand. I quickly silence it and glance at the screen. It’s a text from Molly.

I inwardly groan at the thought of moving, but it might be necessary, especially if it’s about work.

I swiftly open the text message.

I sigh and scoot up the bed, careful not to disturb Elijah.

I can’t help but gaze at Elijah. He’s the man I want to spend forever with, but I’m still a wreck after Danny.

I know he’ll want to know the truth about everything, but I can’t tell him. Not yet, at least.

I quietly slip out of bed and head to the closet, quickly selecting a pencil skirt, blouse, and heels. I head straight to the bathroom to get ready.

Once in the bathroom, I find myself staring at my reflection. But then I notice a mark on my neck. That bastard left me a hickey.

I frown, but then a smirk creeps onto my face as I recall last night’s activities. He sure knows how to satisfy a woman.

I quickly dress and attempt to conceal the hickey. I don’t want to field any questions today, especially not from a teenager.

I exit the bathroom and glance at the bed, freezing in my tracks.

Elijah is still in the same position I left him in. The morning sun illuminates his features.

His jawline is chiseled, speckled with stubble. His arms are muscular, but not overly so, and his abs… God, they’re defined, with the sheet draped over him from the waist down.

Elijah has been through a lot. So have I. And I don’t know if I can risk our friendship, even though I’ve loved him for fifteen years.

I gather my things, including my phone, from the nightstand. I glance at the bed one last time, then head to the kitchen area of the apartment.

I pull a notepad from a drawer and quickly jot down a note. I should leave something for Elijah; I don’t want him to think I left because I didn’t want to see him.

I place the note on the pillow next to him as I prepare to leave.

I want to kiss him, but I don’t want to wake him.

I need to get downstairs and open the shop.

I step away from the bed and open the front door, leaving it unlocked.

I hurry down the stairs and straight into the shop.

I quickly survey the shop, flip the sign from closed to open, turn on all the lights, and put everything in its place.

I retreat to the back room, where there’s a small kitchen. I switch on the kettle and wait for it to boil.

I need coffee, and I need it now.

The door chimes, signaling a customer’s arrival. I pray it’s Molly.

After a few seconds, Molly appears, looking like she hasn’t slept in days. She looks worn out.

“Rough night, huh?” I ask, turning to face her.

She slumps into a chair at the table where we usually eat dinner.

Her eyes are swollen, and she looks like she’s been crying.

“Molly, what happened?” I ask, concern coloring my voice. I hate seeing anyone upset, especially someone younger than me.

Molly looks up at me, a tear trickling down her cheek. “I’m fine, I just…” she begins, but then the tears start flowing.

I go to her and kneel down, pulling her into a hug. I let her cry on my shoulder.

“It’s okay. Tell me what’s wrong,” I say, holding her.

After a few minutes, Molly pulls away and looks at me. “I’m sorry, I’m being silly, but there’s this guy I like, and I thought he liked me,” she says with a sigh.

She dabs at her tear-streaked face with the sleeve of her sweater. It’s a soft gray, like the clouds outside.

“He used me,” she confesses, her voice barely above a whisper. “He was after my friend, Angela. She texted me this morning—they hooked up.” Her eyes meet mine, filled with self-loathing. “I feel like such a fool.”

I let out a sigh, my gaze steady on her. “Did Angela know you were into him?” I ask, my voice gentle.

I can’t stand hearing about these kinds of situations. I’m sure Molly’s heard the rumors about me, but she never pries.

Everyone’s got me pegged as some heartless homewrecker. But that’s not me. I’ll have my chance to set the record straight, but when? That’s the million-dollar question.

Molly nods, her eyes never leaving mine. “She knew,” she admits, her voice choked with tears. They start to fall again, faster this time.

I pull her into a comforting hug, letting her cry on my shoulder. I can feel her heartbreak.

I pull back, lifting her chin so she’s looking at me. “Molly, she’s not your friend. A real friend wouldn’t have done that, knowing how you felt about him.”

“If I were in your shoes, I’d steer clear of both of them for a while. Wait until you’ve cooled off, and then…” I stand, her eyes following me. “Then you tell her exactly how you feel.”

“I hate her,” she spits out, her gaze hardening. “I hate her. She thinks she’s better than everyone else, like she’s God’s gift to men.”

I can’t help but frown. “Nobody’s God’s gift. If that were true, then I…” I start, but stop myself. I shake my head. This isn’t about me. This is about Molly.

Molly watches me, her eyes searching my face. It looks like she’s about to ask me something.

I shake my head again. “What I mean is, no guy is perfect,” I tell her.

“You’ll find the right person when the time comes. You’re young, single, and free—embrace it. Don’t let your so-called friend make you feel like you’re any less.”

I flash her a reassuring smile. “Let’s get some work done, and then I’ll treat you to lunch. We can talk more then. Sound good?” I ask.

Molly manages a small smile. “That sounds great,” she says, stowing her bag under the table and coming over to join me.

I pour myself a cup of black coffee. I’m going to need the caffeine—I didn’t get much sleep last night. I cradle the mug in my hands, taking a sip as I watch Molly.

Molly looks at me, a slow smirk spreading across her face. “Sav, did you meet someone last night? Or maybe have a little fun?” she teases.

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Molly, what the hell?” I sputter, setting my mug down. Thank God I didn’t take another sip—I’d be wearing it.

Molly’s smirk widens, her arms crossed over her chest. “Well, that hickey is pretty telling,” she says, her smile never fading.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you cover it up later. But I want details.”

I open my mouth to respond, but I’m too taken aback to say anything.

Molly bursts into laughter. “I’m just messing with you, Sav,” she says, patting my arm.

“It’s good to see you moving on, especially after all the crap you’ve been through with the rumors flying around here.”

I wince at the reminder.

“Sav, I never believed for a second that you cheated on Danny,” she says, her gaze sincere. “Danny’s a total jerk who deserves a punch in the face. You can do so much better.”

I give her a small smile. I know she means well, but hearing that makes me think I might be ready to move on.

Molly grins at me. “Enough wallowing from me. I’m not going to shed another tear over that jerk or that backstabber,” she declares, turning to leave. “I’ll be in the store if you need me.”

I’m left alone in the kitchen, staring at the spot where Molly just stood.

I must look like a complete idiot, but I need to let it all out. I was with Danny for two years, and it was all a lie.

I kept everything hidden because no one wanted to hear my side of the story. The cheating was just the tip of the iceberg. There was so much more they didn’t know.

I glance at the clock—it’s already 10 a.m.

I might as well get some work done in the back office. Especially since there’s a very attractive man still asleep in my bed.

Clutching my coffee mug, I make a beeline out of the kitchen. I head directly for the central door in the hallway.

I step into the office. I'm hoping Elijah will wake up and understand that I need to be here. But I also hope he doesn’t decide to drop by. His presence would be a distraction.