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Clementine turns the water off and then drags a towel off the rack before wrapping it around me. She gives me a quick peck on the nose. “Do you think we still have time for you to cook me breakfast?”

22

CLEM

“That smile kind of looks weird on your face,” Remy says as I make us breakfast.

I flip him off. “How about you feed yourself.”

“It’s too late now, you’ve already started.”

I slide over his grilled cheese sandwich and glass of orange juice across the counter. “I won’t be home till later tonight.”

“Are you going out with Zara?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m just closing tonight.”

It’s been five agonizingly long days since the weekend Zara and I spent together. I underestimated how hard it would be to go back to my everyday routine knowing that a life like that, with her, was somewhat within my reach.

“Oh,” he says, sounding a little confused. “I thought after spending the weekend with her, you would be with her all the time.”

My chest pinches, knowing I am undoubtedly the only reason that she and I aren’t seeing each other every other day. I told her I was scared, and I am. I’m scared to tell Raine and have to give Zara up completely.

The chances of it working out that way might be slim to none, but it’s still too much of a risk for me to lose her now. Even this early in the relationship, I know it’s something I won’t be able to bear.

Not wanting to dive into the conversation with Remy, I offer a weak platitude of sorts, knowing he isn’t one to pry any further. “We’re both just busy.”

Nodding, he picks up his sandwich and begins to eat. I do the same and let the silence stretch between us, my mind floating back to Zara. Even though I haven’t physically laid eyes on her, the last five days have been full of late-night phone calls and all-day messages. There isn’t a single passing second where we’re not thinking about one another, and letting the other know. It’s so new and different, and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would like the idea of “belonging” to someone, but Ilovethe idea of belonging to Zara.

“You’re all wearing that face,” Remy says, interrupting my thoughts.

I take a sip of my juice before answering. “What face?”

“That love-sick face,” he says. “First it was Frankie and Arlo with all the pining, then it was Lennox with Samuel and Rhys, and now you.”

His observation has a laugh bubbling out of my mouth; he’s kind of right. Two months ago it was Arlo, Lennox, Remy, and me living together, and now it’s Arlo and Frankie rekindling their relationship, Lennox finding love after his hearing loss, and me trying to figure things out with Zara.

I playfully shove his shoulder. “Don’t sit too close or you might be next.”

“Yeah.” He rises and walks around the kitchen to put our empty dishes in the dishwasher. “Hard pass on that one.”

“Never say never,” I tease. “Do you need anything from me before I head off to work?”

He shakes his head in the negative. “I’m good. I’m gonna jump in the shower, but I’ll see you later.”

We say our goodbyes and then I stop by my room to grab my bag and phone. I can’t stop the smile that stretches across my face when I see Zara’s name on the screen.

Remember when you told Raine you were talking to me about your hair?

Yes?

I have no idea where this conversation is going.

I have a cancelation in two weeks on a Wednesday, and I wanted to ask you if you wanted your hair done instead of me filling up the slot.

I mull it over; the idea of doing something different and fresh with my hair is very much appealing to this new version of myself, but the truth is, I can’t afford to do it at a regular salon, let alone the upscale one Zara works at.

Another message comes through before I get the chance to answer.