Falling For The Mob

44 Loophole

Zoë

When I finally wake up, the space beside me is empty again. I understand she still has a company to run, but it doesn’t make waking up alone suck any less.

I check my messages to find a string of texts from Joey asking how I’ve been doing. It’s been two weeks since we last spoke, and I still haven’t told him about Sam and me being back together or "being involved," as she started calling it.

I’ve tried formulating what to tell him, but no matter how I try explaining it, I feel like a joke. We’re practically doing the exact same thing as before, only now Addy knows about it. Are things really different between us?

I ignore him and make my way into the kitchen, finding Addy sitting on the high bar stool with her perfect posture, typing away on her laptop.

“Good morning,” I yawn.

“Good afternoon to you too,” she replies, grinning at her watch before turning her focus to the rapid clattering of her keyboard.

I open the fridge, finding yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast. With me staying over most nights, Sam started to keep her fridge semi-stocked, which is just perfect.

“You sleep okay?” I hum contentedly, realizing that she is completely distracted.

“Addy, not that I don’t absolutely love your company, but why are you sitting here and not at your desk?”

She’s been keeping her distance ever since they had their fight, and this is actually the first time all week I find them in the same building longer than five minutes.

“Sam and I had a heart-to-heart last night, and by that, I mean I shared my not-so-popular opinions, and she didn’t murder me.”

I chuckle, stirring my coffee. “I’ve pissed Sam off enough times. She just needs to be reminded that I always do know better.” She smirks, clearly hinting at my own situation.

The front door opens, cutting off our conversation as Sam pops her head in through the crack. Her glare is ice-cold as she meets Addy’s. “Forward the email chain with Gordon and Lars Healy.”

Addy quickly turns around and begins clattering away on her keyboard again, leaving Sam to stare at me. Briefly, her gaze stays as hard before a soft smile appears, and she winks before closing the door behind her.

Whenever she smiles, her eyes light up, and for just a moment, she doesn’t seem as broken or angry.

I try to return my focus to my cup, but find Addy staring at me intensely. She didn’t see our interaction, but like always, she has seen everything else, including how affected I am by a simple wink.

I clear my throat. “She’s talking to you, so I guess everything is fine again?”

Laughing, she turns back to her screen to finish her task. “Things aren’t as bad, but she’s still pissed. She’d never say it, but she gets a bit passive-aggressive. The bitter stares, the ordering instead of asking. Her refusal to use my name. You really need to learn how to speak Sam-ese better. The only thing I don’t understand is how someone like you isn’t put off by Sam being Sam.”