Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 89

NICOLE

Waking up and knowing I can’t go to work depresses me for a bit, but then I remember the note and by God, I’m relieved I won’t have to deal with that again.

I wish I had a proper chance to excuse myself from work-hand in my resignation, even-but oh well. I can’t risk my life going back there.

I might be a lot of things, but I’m not stupid.

Roman left early, so l’ve got the place all to myself.

Without him here, the flat kind of feels…empty. This makes me realize that I miss him more than I thought I would.

I love it when he’s around. Cooking for me. Pestering me.

Just being himself.

1 walk into the kitchen barefoot and put some water on the boil. Leaning against the counter, I splay my hand in front of me and stare at the ring. I slept with it on last night. I just didn’t have it in me to take it off.

Smiling, I turn my head from side to side. The ring is genuinely massive and I’m surprised that he got the measurements so right.

The sound of my phone ringing from the bedroom interrupts my train of thought. I automatically assumethat it’s Roman who’s calling because nobody else would call me at this time.

But it’s Caius.

We casually exchanged numbers some days ago-he asked me for it and I gave it just to be polite. I didn’t think he’d actually call me.

Does he want to know why I’m not in today?

I might as well just tell him. Just so he doesn’t call again. I press the phone to my ear and say warmly, “Hi, I’m sorry about-”

“Where are you?”

He sounds strange. Tense. Frowning, I reply, “I actually quit. Yesterday.”

“Fuck,” he curses.

For some time, all I hear is him walking around. I’m not sure where he’s headed. His breathing is hard and the energy of the phone call is just off. “Caius?” He curses again. “Yeah. I’m here.”

“Is everything okay?”

Caius hesitates, then says, “No. I..my boyfriend and I had a fight. I just…! was really looking forward to talking to you about it.” I swear I hear him sniffling. “Fuck. I’m a mess. This is all so fucked up!”My hand moves to the front of my neck. “I’m sorry about that.”

“..maybe we could meet somewhere? I don’t know. I know we’re not friends like that, but | just…! looked-forward to our talks. 1 know it sounds pathetic.”

“It doesn’t,” I claim softly. It’s not a lie. “I’m so sorry about that. I wish there was more I could do-”

“Will you meet me then? Please?” His voice cracks at the end of his question and it really touches me. I don’t know him that well, but it sounds like he really needs some guidance and it makes me start to feel pretty bad. ” wouldn’t have asked if…l know we don’t-”

‘ “I’ll come,” I tell him. “Where are you?”

“You sure? I don’t want to bother you or anything. I’m just some guy who used to drink coffee where you work.”

“No, I’ll come.” Carmen can’t be watching me all the time, right? Plus there are the two bodyguards who follow me everywhere. Roman explained last night. “Where are you?”

He explains that he’s near the café, and I tell him I’ll meet him there.

I get ready and I’m out of the complex in twenty minutes. I should call Roman and tell him where I’m headed, but l don’t want to alarm him. I’ll just meet Caius really quickly and head back to the flat. I’ll even tell him that l’ll be traveling so this doesn’t happen again.I feel bad, and if I’m being honest, I could do with a friend, but I don’t have it in me to become emotionally involved with anyone right now. Especially after what happened with Esmeralda.

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