There’s a small, irrational voice in my head that wants to read into the situation more, but it loses to the stronger voice that says to enjoy the moment and drop all expectations.
My walk of shame is prolonged due to the Kane house being a ten-minute walk away from my apartment. Rowan offered to drive me, but I only rolled my eyes and bid him goodbye with a deep kiss.
I could have let him. There was an honest to God part of me that was craving that kind of attention. But I needed some distance and a walk to clear my head after a night of mind-blowing sex and worse, good conversation. I hate to admit it, but I’m still hesitant about Rowan’s intentions. Dating seems like a dangerous game with someone like him.
After all, we watched the entire movie before getting into a heated debate about classicism and the divide between the haves and have nots. Rowan tried to lecture me on upper-class problems and I tried to introduce his face to my fist.
Okay, I’m only kidding. Violence is never the answer. Although I did threaten bodily harm in the form of withholding sex, which only landed me a withheld orgasm until I apologized.
Rowan plays dirty. It’s the one thing I learned along with his dick size.
So basically, I have no idea what I’m doing with Rowan, but maybe that’s a good thing. I’ve always been the labels kind of girl and it hasn’t exactly worked out in my favor.
During my ten-minute walk home, I solidify my positive mindset. I’m all for keeping things casual for now. After being in a long-term relationship that went from zero to a hundred, I’m willing to take things slow and let the relationship grow on its own. While it’s risky, I know Rowan cares, so there’s no need to worry.
I use my key and unlock the front door. “Claire?”
The apartment is silent except for some noises coming from Claire’s room. I’m smart enough to not open her door whenever I hear John Legend crooning from the doors. I value my eyesight far too much to bleach my eyes.
I walk into my bedroom, take a shower, and drop onto my bed with a smile. John Legend’s sweet voice fades into the background as I drift off.
I wake up to the smell of sizzling bacon and Claire belting out off-key to Journey. My stomach grumbles, demanding to be fed after my long night.
I find Claire in the kitchen, cooking and singing into her spatula. “Who’s got you in such a good mood?”
Claire jumps in place. She turns down the volume on the small speaker. “Zahra! You’re home! I didn’t hear you come in.”
“That’s because you were a bit busy.”
Claire blushes. “I’ve got something to share.”
“Me too.” I grin.
“You first,” we both say at the same time before laughing.
Her smile is infectious. “I met someone!”
“Tell me more.”
“Well, remember that sous chef from The Royal Chateau?”
“How could one forget Her Royal Crankiness?”
She snorts as she dishes up two plates of breakfast for lunch. “Well, she apologized.”
“What?! How?”
“We ran into each other at the grocery store. It was like a movie.”
“How?”
“Well, I saw her and panicked. I accidentally ran my cart into a stand full of oranges, and they toppled over in my rush. It was hands down the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me in public.”
“That can’t possibly be true. Remember that time we were at the football game—”
Claire winces. “Even worse. She ended up slipping on an orange and falling.”