T h i r s t

t w e n t y

Even from that distance, I could see that he'd lost weight. He was still pudgy and had a beer belly, but he'd lost a lot of weight.

I smiled idly, wondering if he'd finally cut back on the smoking. Wait, did I smell smoke on his breath when he told me I smelled like heaven?

He always had a way with words.

I closed my eyes and tried to recollect what happened minutes ago. I cursed at him. He was being his usual smartass, lovey-dovey self. And then he leaned in and ??

I couldn't remember. Probably because I wasn't breathing after that stunt he'd pulled.

"You ok?"

"Fucking--" I shuddered and bumped into the wall, lost my footing on the wet floor and tried to barricade myself against the edge of the wall with my hands, twisting my shoulder in the process. I would've lost that graceful posture too and landed on my ass if it hadn't been for his arm secured around my waist and pulling me back to my feet.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you. You hurt?" He smiled apologetically and I brushed his arm off me.

I shook my head in reply and looked around for things I could say I had been doing, all the while ignoring the band of fire around my waist.

"But to be fair, you were spying on me. And as history would tell us, I'm the better spy." He smirked, making his dimples dent.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. I came to grab some meds."

"And this was the closest cart you could find?" He asked, casually leant up against the wall with his arm on the cart behind me. I stared straight up into his eyes, until they faltered. Point one for moi.

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes, it was the closest one on my way."

"Your way where?"

"I don't have to tell you." I smiled. "See, that's one of the perks of breaking up, Ryan. I could be on my way to fuck my new boyfriend and I don't have to tell you."

He clenched his jaw and looked angry for a moment, but it was soon gone. "What's his name?"

"What?"

"Your 'boyfriend'" He teased, air quoting the word.

"I don't have to tell you." I said and walked away.

"You don't but it's the easiest way to prove you're telling the truth. And maybe get rid of me."

I thought about that, then turned around and said, "Henry."

"Henry what?" He asked, walking along by my side.

"I thought Henry's enough to get rid of you."

"What if Henry's a creep? Tell me his last name and I'll run a background check for you."

"Thank you, detective. But I know he's not a creep without your help."

"How? You're not exactly a great judge of character. I mean, you dated me."

"Yeah? Chalk that up to being a stupid young adult."

"Don't call yourself stupid. None of it was your fault." I slowed my pace and looked at him, and his sincere, soft eyes.

"I know that." I looked away. "Stop following me, Ryan."

"Don't flatter yourself, kitten. I'm going to lunch."

I clenched my fist. "Stop calling me that."

"Sorry. Force of habit."

I ignored him for the most part after that, joining the queue to the reception, but it was hard to because he was standing right behind me and my butt felt uncovered without my coat.