CHAPTER FOUR

I opened my eyes to shuffling, it was Zara. “Hi…it’s been a minute, where have you been?”

“Sorry you didn’t hear from me, I had business to handle at home. I was supposed to write you a note but I got occupied and forgot”

Zara was already halfway through unpacking when I sat up, blinking sleep from my eyes.

I stretched, the soreness in my body reminding me of how much sleep I’d needed. “ welcome back” I said and left her to settle in as I called Anna to tell her about going to my sister’s

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Days later, Annabel and I packed up for the trip to Eva’s house. We only had a week to be away from school before tge hustle and bustle started.

“Girl,” Annabel said as we dragged our duffel bags into the cab, “your sister’s house better have food because I’m starving already.”

I laughed. “Eva practically lives in the kitchen, you’ll be fine.”

The drive took an hour, when we pulled up to the gate, Eva came rushing out, all smiles and open arms.

“My baby!” she squealed, hugging me so tight I could barely breathe.

“Eva, oxygen!”

She laughed, letting go to pull Annabel in for a hug too. “Ann sweetheart, it’s nice to see you again”

“Thank you,” Annabel grinned. “This place is gorgeous!”

I looked for Ian before I asked Eva. “Oh, he’s out. Had a meeting to attend”

We got our things inside and settled in. A few minutes later, Eva called us out for dinner. We ate and chattered before we heard the sound of a car driving in.

I listened in as the car shut and the door giggled before he stepped through the door, my breath caught when I saw him.

“Hey, everyone,” he said, smiling that easy, polite smile. “Smells amazing.”

“Welcome home, honey,” Eva said, standing to kiss him. My throat tightened at the sight.

He greeted Annabel, then me. “Felicia,” he said softly or was i the one imagining it “Good to see you again.”

I swallowed. “You too.”

He sat down and Eva dished out his meal and he dined. Every time I looked up, he was already looking at me and every time my eyes met his, heat spread through my body.

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The next few days blurred, morning coffee runs with Eva, lazy afternoons by the pool, and movie nights that always ended late. Annabel blended easily and I was glad, I didn't need to babysit her.

I also had time to fantasize about him, I looked forward to him being around. I couldn’t focus on any other thing, just him. His laughter, the way his hand brushed mine when he passed me a plate or the faint scent of his cologne when he walked by. It was crippling.

One night, Eva went upstairs early with Annabel following soon after. I stayed back to clean up the kitchen, stacking plates to wash them and keep my mind free from him.

Ian came in just as I was drying my hands. “You don’t have to do that,” he said softly.

“It’s fine,” I murmured, avoiding his eyes. “Helps me think.”

He leaned against the counter, watching me. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

My breath hitched. “No, I haven’t.”

He stepped closer, the air between us suddenly thick. “Yes, you have.”

I turned, ready to walk past him, but his hand caught my wrist to stop me. The room went completely still.

“Felicia…” he said “About that day at the mall….”

“It was nothing,” I said too quickly.

“Was it?”

I made the mistake of looking up and his eyes swallowed me. Something inside me ripped, everything I was trying to keep down. None of us moved, before I could process what was happening, he kissed me.

I froze and gave in to the kiss before I pulled back, everything in me screamed at me n it to. “Ian,” I whispered “you’re….Eva is my sister”

He took a step back, running a hand through his hair, guilt flashing across his face. “I know, I shouldn’t have. I just…”

“I shouldn’t have let you,” I cut in, my voice shaking. “This can’t….”

We stood there in silence, both trying to find words to say to each other. “Goodnight,” I found courage and whispered.

“Goodnight,” he replied.

I couldn’t sleep that night, every nerve in my body was alive. My body was alive, I touched my lip where he had kissed and lost my breathe.

When morning came, I was a mess. I could barely get any sleep. I tried to lighten my mood at breakfast but Ian’s presence across mine made it hard.

In the afternoon, Eva suggested we go grab ice cream and I agreed too quickly. I needed to step out of this house and get air.

“I’ll be out waiting for you” I called out to Ann as I closed the door and walked out to the sitting room. Immediately I got to the living room, a hand grabbed my waist and pulled me into him.

“Felicia..” he sounded strained, I felt my nipples perk. “I can’t stay away from you much longer, I want you and I want you now”

Annabel suddenly burst into the living room. “Felicia!” she said, looking around. “Have you seen my purse? I think it’s…”

Her voice trailed off as she spotted me and Ian, I pulled myself away from him immediately as I pretended to dust something from his shirt.

She squinted, suspicious. “I was asking you about my purse”

“It should on the floor by the bed side, I think I saw it” sge nodded and walked away but not before giving us both a look.

She disappeared down the hallway and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “That was close.”

“Too close,” I whispered.

For the rest of the week, we avoided being alone, speaking only when necessary. When it was finally time to leave, Eva hugged me tight. “Visit soon, okay? Don’t forget us.”

“I won’t,”

Ian helped load our bags into the cab and Annabel climbed in first, already talking about how she couldn’t wait for campus food again. I lingered for a moment.

“Felicia,” he said quietly, hands still on the door.

“Yeah?”

He hesitated, then smiled faintly. “I’ll come visit, drop by campus when things settle.”

I nodded, unsure if I wanted that or dreaded it. “Okay.”

He leaned down slightly, his voice low. “Take care of yourself.” He stepped back, closing the door as the cab pulled away.

The road back to campus was filled with Annabel’s chatter. We finally arrived and I climbed out, stretching my legs.

“See you later, Fifi!” Annabel waved as she headed toward her dorm.

“Yeah, see you,” I called back.

I was halfway to my building when I heard someone shout, “Felicia!”

I turned and it was the boy from before, Jake. Jake was jogging toward me, his hair as he grinned.

“Hey! Been looking for you everywhere,” he said, breathless as he reached me.

I blinked, caught off guard.

“Jake,” I managed, forcing a smile. “Hey.”

He grinned wider, his eyes warm. “Welcome back.”