Roses

Chapter 40

Zoey

"I ordered pizza. I think it's here," Jack yells from the shower as the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it." I get off the bed carefully so as not to disturb the laptop and snacks laid out.

Jack has been here for more than a week, and the most of Roses he has seen so far is the view of the street from my bedroom window. We have both just been staying at home, talking and watching Netflix. It is rejuvenating.

I didn't cry anymore after that first day but the heartbreak still sits heavy in my chest. I don't want to face the world just yet. Without Jack, this empty house that I've come to associate so much death with, would have probably sent me running outside. But with him, I'm happy and comfortable. Even if I know it's just a distraction from the pain.

Plus, the world includes him.

I grab my wallet and race down the stairs. I hope he ordered pepperoni-

My train of thought halts abruptly as I'm brought face-to-face with the devil.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I grit my teeth.

Adam stands on my doorstep with all the manly charm in the world quite literally oozing out of his pores. Over the past week, I prayed to every God I'd heard of to curse him with a bald head and a pot belly. Clearly praying doesn't work because he looks even hotter than I remember him.

It's like a dark, sexy entity has taken over him. His five o'clock shadow is well on its way to resembling heavy stubble and his dark hair is long enough to fall into his eyes. He is in dark jeans and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up. And he just looks darker. Like he is on the precipice of death.

"Pizza delivery," he murmurs and a small smile forms on his lips. That's when I notice a pizza box with a massive 'T' on it in his hands.

Of course Jack ordered from his pizza joint. I shouldn't stop suspecting the two may be working together.

"How much?" I try to keep my voice professional.

"A date," he answers huskily.

"Sorry?"

"A date with me. That's the price."

"Not even for a thousand pizzas," I retort. It sounds ridiculous but I couldn't think of anything else. I go to slam the door in his place but he shoots out his hand and stops me.

"Sorry. I just had to try," he says quickly. "Ten minutes. New price."

"Let me guess." I cross my arms, shooting him a sarcastic look. "You need ten minutes to convince me to forgive you?"

"No," he whispers. "I just want to look at you for ten minutes."

His eyes rake over my face as if he's etching every detail to memory. Or matching the details with his memory, I don't know. All I know is that if I let this continue for ten minutes, I may end up forgiving him anyway.

I shake my head. "You think I want to look at you for that long?" And before he can say anything else, I add, "Now, if there's a price in dollars?"

"Not for you." He looks down, defeated and hands the pizza over to me.

He looks so fucking sad I want to say something. Or give something. A smile? A handshake goodbye? But I don't even let myself look at him for a second longer and close the door.

Goddamnit! I can't even hate him in peace.

Five minutes later, Jack and I are back at our usual spot a.k.a. my bed with the pizza half gone.