Page 51 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

SPRING SUMME R FALLING | 51

Home welcomes me with one of Sanya’s scents of the month. This month is a
lavender vanilla blend. It is soothing and relaxing. I inhale deeply and sigh. I found
myself looking forward to discovering her new scents. My head swivels slowly as I
survey the house. Something is off. There is no music playing. She is not yelling out
a greeting like she usually does. My heartbeat kicks up a few notches. I kick off my
shoes and move quickly through the house.

I pray this isn’t déjà vu; Cassie hurt my pride, but finding Sanya with another
man would hurt more that I care to admit. Plus, I am not allowed to feel anything
in this case. She isn’t mine. We are just friends and roommates. I find her in the
kitchen. Pacing back and forth, her brows are knitted and her lips slightly pouty. If
this is her angry face, it is the cutest I’ve ever seen. Okay, I can deal with anger, even
it is directed toward me.

I lean gingerly against the wall and fold my arms. “Rough day?”
Sanya turns toward me. Her face, a mixture of relief and residual anger, morphs
into a familiar expression. I can’t quite place it, but I’ve seen it before. I catalogue
our time together, and it snaps.
“What would you like to ask me, Sanya?” Surprise passes over her face before
she recovers. “You were studying me the same way you did the first day we met.”

Her laugh is brief. “I shouldn’t play poker?” “Nope, you will lose all your
money.”
“I’m sorry, Henry. I lost my shit a little again.”

I pull out the chair and settle in. My tie comes off with a few flicks of my wrist.
I lay it over the chair next to me. The process appears to fascinate Sanya. She
watches intently until I am finished. She places a plate of parmesan chicken,
broccoli and zucchini noodles in front of me. She did the same thing with
yesterday’s dinner, but it is still different. Aside from my mom or sister, no other
woman has ever made my plate.
“Looks good.” I smile. My long-ignored hunger returns with a vengeance, but
I manage to focus on Sanya. “Talk to me.”