Always You

Chapter 10

Sierra

There was a gentle knock on my door before it had even fully closed after I walked in with a basket full of laundry.

I opened it to find Ezra, looking like he just stepped out of a shower. His hair was still dripping in places and his bare chest glistened with moisture. I tried not to let my eyes wander down, and willed my eyes to stay on his face, which was already a distraction in itself. I tried desperately to hide my thoughts from my expression.

"Listen, before you slam the door in my face," he started, "I'm so sorry about earlier this afternoon. I shouldn't have said what I said."

I looked at the soap bar in his hand, "did you come straight from the showers?"

He brushed it off, "yeah I did. Sierra, I really am sorry, really."

A giggle escaped my lips.

"What?" he looked lost.

"Is it really that urgent that you had to come talk to me with only a towel on?" I asked, losing the fight to keep the amusement from my voice.

"I was on the way back from the showers when I saw you walk into your room and I urgently wanted to apologise to you. What, is this too distracting for you?" he said with a small wriggle of his hips, and I was genuinely concerned that his towel would slip off. Thinking about that made my heart go a little faster.

"I can come back in 5 with a shirt on if that's better for you," he teased. Returning to a serious expression, he added, "but really, I'm sorry. I really wanted to come apologise as soon as I could. I hope I didn't ruin anything."

"Look, it's fine. I snapped at you and I'm sorry I did that too," I said softly.

"Sorry if I came across as pushy, I've just really missed having my best friend around," he said with a small smile.

My thoughts darted to that night 5 years ago. Best friends. He was speaking as if that night never happened. He seemed to have caught onto my train of thought as he spoke again. "And I am sorry for every stupid thing I have ever said or done."

My jaw tightened at the flood of memories I had been trying to forsake for the past few years. But for the sake of not wanting to start an argument, I let it go.

I just wanted him and his distractingly toned abs to be out of my face. It was difficult to concentrate with his golden, half naked body less than a metre in front of me. His bashful yet dashing smile that no doubt catches the attention of any girl, with his perfect white teeth and chiseled jawline. His messy yet stylish curly mop of hair that he absentmindedly ruffles every time he is deep in thought. His eyes that reminds me of the most perfect blue sky, that sparkle when he finds humour in something. His nature that is earnest yet playful, and gentle yet protective. The warmth I felt whenever he was around. It was too hard to pretend that I wish he didn't have a girlfriend, that I wish he would want me the way I want him, that I could tell him why I had no choice but to leave all those years ago.

"You've got to stop apologising Ez, it's fine," I said.

"So we're all good?" he said, a smile forming on his lips.

It was hard to pretend, but I've hidden my feelings in the past. I can do it again, I've decided. So I smiled, "yeah we're good."

"Good!" He beamed at me, and I'd be lying if I said my heart didn't melt a little at his perfect smile. "So how's lunch tomorrow? 12 in the courtyard. Does that work with your schedule?"

"Okay, but only if you go and put some clothes on before someone comes along and starts speculating about us," I said with a roll of my eyes.

"Speculating about us," he repeated with a mischievous grin, "wouldn't that be fun."

I thought back to the encounter with his slightly terrifying and threatening girlfriend. Fun indeed.

I was about to close the door when Ezra added "Oh, one last thing! You wouldn't happen to have the shirt I lent you that night at the party?" He said, eyeing the laundry basket at my feet.

"Um, I gave it to your girlfriend. She said she'd give it back to you."

Ezra paused. "My what?"

"Your girlfriend," I repeated dryly.

"My girlfriend?" He repeated with an amused expression, the corners of his mouth twitching as if resisting a smile.

"Uh, yes? Your girlfriend, with the bright red hair and crazy eyes?" I said, confused. Is this some kind of joke?

Then he started laughing. "I suppose she does kinda have crazy eyes."

"So she is your girlfriend," I stated with hesitation.

He paused. "Oh Sierra, I've missed you and your love of jumping to conclusions," he chuckled. "Taylor isn't my girlfriend."

"Bu-but she said it was her boyfriend's shirt," I protested, still confused.

"Hugo. It's Hugo's shirt. Hugo is her boyfriend." He explained.

"So she's not your girlfriend," I clarified, piecing it together.

"Nope," He said with an innocent smile, popping the "p".

"So you're single," I stated, mind wandering places it shouldn't be.

"Single as a pringle," he said with a wink.

I felt my cheeks heat up like crazy. This was the epitome of embarrassment.

"I'll catch you tomorrow Sierra. 12 at the courtyard. I'll be next doors if you need to reschedule," he said before closing the door and leaving me standing there with my jaw still wide open.