The Boy Next Door > jariana (ON HOLD)

nine

A melody filled the loft. Justin had turned on music, and the jazzy beat got me out of bed. As I tiptoed to the black drape, I noticed that it was on a runner. I peeked around the velvet fabric, and Justin was pulling containers out of the fridge. I began to slide open the drape and Justin turned to watch me, smiling. The space was now one big open room.

"You're supposed to stay in bed." His eyes twinkled.

"My curiosity is getting the better of me." Cold chills ran over me. "Brrr! It's cold in here." I went to my luggage and pulled out a pair of cozy grey sweats and my favorite grey cashmere sweater.

Next thing I knew, Justin was beside the fireplace restarting the fire. "Don't get too used to those clothes. I wanna make it so warm in here you'll wanna be naked."

"Go for it," I challenged, beaming as I walked into the kitchen. I was nosey to see what Emily had prepared for us.

I opened each container. Emily had gone all out; baked chicken, a rice dish, mashed potatoes, several different vegetarian dishes, and even lasagna. My mouth watered. I decided to make an executive decision and warm up the tray of lasagna. I turned on the oven and slid the clear glass-baking dish in. When I turned to put the other containers back in the fridge, Justin was leaning against the counter, staring at me with a pleased look stamped on his face. Just seeing him standing there, staring at me, made my hands tingle.

"What?" I felt the heat rise up my neck. Why am I getting embarrassed? Really?

"I just love watching you."

"Yeah, well I love watching you too." I matched his sentiment, but my mind was on Emily and her mad cooking skills, a tinge of jealousy simmered. Stop it! I told the voices in my head as they argued with each other; one coaxing me to inquire more about her and the other telling me to relax.

Justin's phone was ringing. He picked it up and stared at the screen blinking a few times, thinking and decided not to answer it.

"Who was that? My dad?" I laughed ironically.

He placed the phone on the counter. "Nah, thank God. It was the guys." Justin moved behind me, wrapping his strong arms around me. "I'm supposed to be at rehearsal."

I huffed, straining to look up at him. "Justin, you have to go. They're waiting for you."

"Time just got away from me." He nestled his nose into the nape of neck. "I'll text Dump and let him know I'm sick."

"Don't lie, that's bad energy."

"It's not a lie, I'm sick in the head for you."

I hadn't heard Dump's name in years, and it made me think of Sienna. They were to be married after she graduated. I never heard anything, not that I wanted to. I purposely stayed away from any social media and basically disappeared from my Justin life after he left me crumpled in my driveway and they all moved to New York. At the time I didn't want to know anything about any of them, ever again.

"How are Dump and Sienna? Did they get married?"

"Yep." He gave me a firm squeeze then released me and walked across the room to an armoire.

"And?"

"And they're married. What?" His back remained facing me as he dug around the cabinet, totally unconcerned about my inquiry. He didn't get that girls wanted to know everything when they've asked a question.

"Well..." and I thought about what. "Are they happy? Do they have a kid yet? Is she still super groovy looking? I don't know." I shrugged.

Justin pulled on his own set of comfy loungewear. "Yeah to all of those, except the kid thing."