anxious.)
In any case, I wanted my makeup, my laptop, my own shampoo and conditioner. I was sure Callum would have gotten those things for me if I’d asked, but I felt kind of weird about it.
As soon as I got off the subway at Morningside Heights, I tapped a text to Callum letting him know he should pick me up at my apartment instead of at the office like we’d planned.
I climbed the subway steps to the sidewalk at West 104 th Street, every step reminding me of Callum as the vibrator inside of me put gentle pressure on my clit. He hadn’t made it vibrate all day, which had somehow made the torture even worse. I’d spent the whole day in a state of anxious anticipation, wondering if he was doing it on purpose, to keep me on edge, or if he was even thinking about me at all. His presence was a constant in my mind, never going away no matter what I was doing or who I was talking to.
I pawed through my bag for my keys as I got closer to my apartment, slowing down as I tried to figure out what I was going to tell Nessa about why I was grabbing a bunch of my stuff.
Should I tell her I was moving in with Callum? It felt weird to say that, and besides, it wasn’t even true. I wasn’t moving in with Callum. I would be staying in a place he’d chosen for me, yes, but I wasn’t going to be living with him.
I’d just decided that for now I would just say that I was planning on spending a few nights at his place, when someone fell into step next to me on the sidewalk.
Jason.
I tensed, my hands tightening around my keys in case I needed a weapon.
I whirled around, ready to fight.
But it wasn’t Jason walking next to me.
It was Isaac, my neighbor and Nessa’s boyfriend.
I let out a sigh of relief.
“Sorry,” Isaac said, giving me an easy smile. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine,” I said. He was dressed in a suit and a tie, his hair neatly combed. “Did you get out of work early too?”
“Yup.”
“Time off for good behavior, huh?”
“Something like that.” He grinned. “You?”
“More like time off for bad behavior.”
“Ah,” he said, sliding his hands into his pockets and nodding sagely. “Been there, done that.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Oh, yeah. It’s like a rite of passage or something. Everyone needs to get sent home from their first job by an angry boss. Haven’t you ever seen the Devil Wears Prada?”
“Have you ever seen the Devil Wears Prada?” I asked, shocked.
“What, I can’t be in touch with my feminine side?”
I raised my eyebrows at him skeptically.
“Fine,” he said, sighing in mock defeat. “I saw it with an ex-girlfriend.”
I laughed. We were coming up on our building now, to the wrought-iron gate that separated it from the street. We walked through together until we got to the steps that would take us on different paths – him upstairs, me down.
“Well, see ya,” I said, giving him a wave. “Have a good night.”
“Yeah, you too.” He started up the steps and then stopped. “Hey,” he said, leaning over the railing and staring down at me. “I was thinking of heading out, maybe grabbing some dinner and drinks, seeing what games they’re showing at the bars. You in?”
“Oh,” I said, surprised. “Um…” Isaac wasn’t asking me out on a date, was he? No, I told myself. He was probably just being nice, since he knew I’d had a bad day at work. He felt bad for me and was trying to cheer me up. He probably already had plans with Nessa and was just inviting me along as a third wheel.
“No, that’s okay,” I said. “I actually have plans tonight.” I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw a look of disappointment pass over his face. “But I’m sure Nessa will be excited to go.” I could hear the sound of the television coming through the door, so I knew she was home already.
“Yeah,” Isaac said. “Yeah, maybe.”
Maybe? What the hell was that supposed to mean?
“Okay, well, um, I’ll see you