sweet tooth - karl jacobs

chapter 16- not enough

once karl and i arrive at my apartment complex, he rushes to get out of the car and open the passenger side door for me. i smile and accept the gesture, thanking him as i step out of the car.

the two of us enter the building, taking the elevator in silence. we both shift at the tense atmosphere. just a second ago in the car we were both babbling on about nothing in particular, so what changed?

we reach my apartment door and i turn to face karl, who looks down at me with innocent eyes.

"thank you for today, karl," i say to him, avoiding eye contact. "that was the most fun i've had in a very long time."

"of course," karl replies, wearing his signature smile. "i'll be going now, have a good ni-"

"wait one second."

karl's expression quickly changes into an inquisitive one as we stare at each other awkwardly. i inhale deeply, then quickly wrap my arms around his neck in a tight embrace.

he hugs back immediately, and i can feel his heart thumping in his chest. he holds onto me tightly, as if he's afraid i'll slip away if he lets go. though his arms around my waist are tight, it doesn't feel like he's suffocating me. in fact, they fit just right. he's a great hugger, and i feel safe and warm in his embrace.

"we can be friends," i tell him, still standing on my toes with my arms around his neck.

"that's not enough," karl replies shortly. "i don't want to be 'just friends,' haven. you know that."

"i know. but i can't give you anything more, so this is my compromise. i'm willing to give us a shot at being friends, but that's it."

"you say that now. but i'll figure out a way." karl moves one of his hands from my waist to my hair, twirling strands of it around his finger. "i'll figure out a way to convince you that we are meant to be."

"slow down, buddy. 'meant to be' is a little much."

"c'mon, you know we'd be cute together."

i sigh and pull away from karl's warmth, and put my hands in my pockets.

"i'd have to disagree. anyway, good night, karl! my wonderful friend," i say, putting emphasis on the final word.

"good night haven, who is currently my friend but will one day be more if i can help it," karl replies cheekily. he gives me a quick wink before turning around and walking away, and i'm left standing with my mouth agape in the hallway.

that confident brat.

i eventually snap out of my trance and enter my apartment, locking the door after stepping inside. i don't have work tomorrow, but after the two long days i've had, i'm in dire need of a break. so i plan on using tomorrow to rest and rewind before the work week ahead of me.

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after waking up at a solid 10:04 am, i get up to grab something to eat. i don't bother changing out of my pajamas before grabbing my keys and heading out.

i figure- why not head down to the bakery and grab something today? i never have time to any other day of the week, anyway, thanks to my full-time job.

so i make the fifteen minute walk to a local bakery, intaking the fresh summer air as i stroll. i have one airpod in, listening to various artists during the walk. once i make it to the bakery, i get a bagel and an iced coffee, along with a cat treat for holly.

i sit at a table inside to eat my bagel, and though it's peaceful, i also feel rather lonely. i guess being around karl and his friends for the past two days sorta reminded me of how closed off and how few friends i actually have. so i decide to only eat half of the bagel and take the rest home. at least i'll have my cat to keep me company.