It's a promise

Chapter 13

Rylee's POV

I still couldn't believe that Steve was here. While I opened the door to my apartment I looked at him and he gave me this awesome half smile that made me weak. I nearly dropped the keys but I managed to open the door. I went inside and Steve followed me. He looked around and I did the same while I took off my jacket. I hung it at the coat rack and took Steve's leather jacket to hang it next to mine.

My apartment wasn't big. Just one kitchen living combo, a small bedroom and my match box sized bathroom. I tried to see it through Steve's eyes. A tiny kitchen where the ugly vinyl floor was full of scratches. A big light brown sofa which definitely had better times in front of a small TV. In the corner were still some moving boxes I never managed to unpack. One door on the right to my bedroom and to my ensuite bathroom. It was clean but while I tried to see it through his eyes I realized how impersonal it was. Nearly no pictures. No personal things. It looked like I just moved in especially with the boxes and I lived here for over two years now. Everybody could live here.

The only personal things were two framed photos on the kitchen island. One with my dad where I was a child and I was visiting him at work. I sat on his desk playing with his badge while he was watching me with a smile on his face. Steve stood in front of it and looked down.

'How old were you there?'

'Four. Maybe Five. I don't really remember that day but I know that I wanted to be an agent from then. I thought the badge was cool.' A little smile appeared on my face.

Then his gaze went to the second picture. This one was from a barbecue in Missouri a few years ago. Cooper was standing next to me, hugging me while Lila was sitting on my lap. Laura and Clint next to me, he kissing her temple while Nat was standing behind us with Nathaniel in her arms. We all laughed at something.

'Nat is a part of your family.' It wasn't a question but I answered anyway.

'Yeah. She is like a big sister to me.' That was true. I knew her for so long and even if we didn't have contact for a few years, she would always be family. Maybe that was the reason I was so irritated by the fact of her and Steve because I thought he saw her as family as well. We looked at each other.

'Do you want something to drink? Coffee? Tea?' I was the queen of avoiding. Nat already told me that there were no feelings involved between her and Steve but there was still a big What If in my head. What if he had feelings for Nat? She was a gorgeous woman and they spent a lot of time together. What if I was just a distraction? What if he wanted her? What if... I was just an overthinking idiot.

'I don't want anything to drink.'

I knew it was time to talk but we both stayed silent. I didn't know how to start.

'Jeez... This is so awkward.' We both started to laugh at my outburst. I needed to start because I thought that I wanted this talk more than him. I needed just one answer to the main question.

'Can I ask you something?'

'Everything.' I took a deep breath. I needed it to know.

'Are you in love with Nat?'

His eyes went big. 'No!' He shook his head and seemed irritated by my question. 'Why do you even think that?'

'You mean except for the fact that you both had sex? You know each other for years. You spent a lot of time together. And there was more between you two in the past. And did you look at her?'

'Yes. Nat and I spent one night together years ago. Nothing more. No feelings attached. You already talked to her and I think she told you the same. I wasn't in love with her then and I am not in love with her now. She is an attractive woman but I don't have any romantic feelings towards her. We both talked about it and it's in the past. I respect Nat and she is... family.' Although I kinda expected that answer I was relieved to hear it from him.