All Chapters of BETWEEN THE THREE OF US : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The first thing Eliana Whitmore learned about The Hawthorne was that the elevator was useless.The second thing she learned was that she had severely underestimated how many boxes she owned.“Who needs a gym membership when you have to move apartments?”She dropped the box in her arms onto the hallway floor and stared at it accusingly.The box stared back.Well, technically it was a cardboard box, but Eliana was exhausted enough to believe it had developed a personal vendetta against her.She pushed a loose curl away from her face and looked down the hallway.Apartment 2B.Her new home.At least, it would be once she managed to get the rest of her belongings inside.She bent down to grab the box again.“Need some help?”Eliana froze.She slowly turned around.A man stood a few feet behind her, one hand resting casually against the wall.He was tall. Very tall.Probably around six feet, maybe a little over. He had dark, slightly messy hair, warm brown eyes, and an athletic build that m

Eliana woke up to the sound of knocking.She groaned and pulled the blanket over her head.The knocking came again.Three times.Loud.Persistent.“Who is it?”“Your favorite neighbor!”Eliana opened her eyes.Nate.Of course.She dragged herself out of bed, still wearing an oversized T-shirt and shorts, and opened the door.Nate stood there holding two cups of coffee.He looked far too energetic for eight in the morning.“You look terrible,” he said.Eliana stared at him.“Good morning to you too.”“I brought coffee.”She looked at the cup.“You're forgiven.”He handed it to her.“I knew you'd say that.”“How?”“You have the face of someone who can't function without caffeine.”Eliana took a sip.He was right.She hated that.“What do you want?”“Breakfast.”“Make your own.”“I don't know how.”“You ordered food yesterday.”“Ordering food isn't cooking.”Eliana sighed.“What about Ilyas?”Nate pointed down the hallway.“Already invited him.”As if summoned by his name, Ilyas stepped

Eliana woke up to the sound of her alarm.She reached out blindly, knocked her phone off the bedside table, and groaned.“Five more minutes.”Her phone buzzed against the floor.She opened one eye.Nate:Are you awake?She stared at the message.It was 7:14 a.m.Eliana:No.The reply came almost instantly.Nate:You're texting me.Eliana:I'm sleep-texting.Nate:Impressive.She smiled despite herself.Then another message appeared.Nate:Church at 9, right?Eliana sat up.Eliana:Yes.Nate:I'll walk with you.She paused.Eliana:You don't have to.Nate:I know.That made her smile.Before she could reply, another notification appeared.Ilyas:Good morning. Don't forget your coffee.Eliana blinked.How did he know?Then she remembered.Yesterday, she'd complained about how impossible mornings were without coffee.She smiled at her phone.Eliana:Good morning. You're becoming my personal reminder.Ilyas:Someone has to.She shook her head.Two neighbors.Two completely different perso

Sunday evening settled over The Hawthorne quietly.The three of them were still on the rooftop, but the conversation had become softer.Eliana rested her chin on her knees.“So,” she said, looking between the boys, “what are your families like?”Nate laughed.“Why?”“Because I know almost nothing about either of you.”Ilyas glanced at him.“She has a point.”Nate sighed.“Fine. You first.”Ilyas raised an eyebrow.“You're the one who talks the most.”“Exactly. Which means I've already given you enough information about me.”Eliana laughed.“That's not how this works.”Nate smiled.“Okay. My family.”He leaned back against his hands.“My mom's name is Rebecca. She's probably the nicest person you'll ever meet.”“Probably?”“Definitely.”Eliana smiled.“What about your dad?”“Michael.”Nate's expression changed slightly.“He's a good man. Strict sometimes, but he's always been there for us.”“How many siblings?”“Two.”He held up two fingers.“My sister Sophie is nineteen. She's basical

Tuesday evening arrived with a storm.Rain hammered against the windows of The Hawthorne, turning the city outside into a blur of lights and shadows.Eliana stood in her kitchen, staring at the power that had just gone out.“You've got to be kidding me.”The entire apartment went dark.She reached for her phone and turned on the flashlight.Then came a knock.Eliana opened the door.Nate stood there holding his phone up like a flashlight.“Power outage?”“No, Nate. I just decided to live in darkness.”He laughed.“Come on.”“Where?”“My apartment. I have candles.”“Why do you have candles?”“Because I'm prepared.”“You?”“Yes, me.”Before she could answer, another door opened.Ilyas stepped into the hallway.“Power's out?”Nate nodded.“Come to my apartment.”Eliana looked between them.“Why?”“I have a rechargeable lamp,” Ilyas said.Nate looked at him.“You have a rechargeable lamp?”“Yes.”“You're making my candles look bad.”Ilyas smiled.“I'm prepared.”Eliana laughed.“Fine. Let