Mallory

* * *

I refresh my email again before picking up my phone to check for a new text message.

Still nothing.

I haven’t heard a peep from him all morning, and it’s a little after noon now. I’ve really become too dependent on these messages. But still, this isn’t Oz. It’s not like him, based on what I’ve learned about him over the last week. He’s always sending me something, even if it’s a small note or a cute picture. It’s also weird to think how I’ve only known him for a week, yet he’s so vital to my everyday life now. I guess he is, though, when it comes to my new life here in New York. He’s been a part of it since the very first day. Even now, he isn’t ever far from my mind. He slipped in so easily, and I grabbed on to him, experiencing things I never had before.

He makes me feel so important to him. I’m special to him with all the little silly things he does. Like having to see me, wanting to bring me breakfast or needing to hear my voice. What has me melting most of all is the way he’s always checking on me. That isn’t something I’ve ever had. I know I’m well past the age of needing someone to look out for me, but it’s good to have it for once in my life. Someone making sure I eat and being worried about me going out. I should be annoyed, but all it does is show me that he loves me, cares for me.

The only person I’ve ever loved is Paige. She’s the only one who’s been in my life long enough for that to even happen. Everyone else seemed to float in and out too quickly. A few teachers stood out from time to time, but living in the system, sometimes people bounced too fast. I could never latch on to anyone. I’d taught myself not to, because it only led to heartbreak. But with Oz, it’s something deeper, something that’s growing. It will be different to how I love Paige. This is life-changing. Just having these thoughts scares me, too. It’s so early to be having them. I try to push all that from my mind. It’s about living in the now. I can’t think about getting hurt or I’ll never have a relationship. I’m grabbing on to this and seeing where it will take me.

Maybe he’s really busy today. He’s working, like I should be doing and not checking my phone every five minutes and evaluating this relationship like it’s a math problem I can solve.

“Sale at Nordstrom,” Skyler says, popping her head up over the cubicle wall and taking me by surprise. “Like, big.” She spreads her arms wide, indicating how big the sale is. “Only two blocks that way.” She points over her shoulder.

“We’re skipping lunch, I take it?”

“It’s worth it. Plus, the place we’re going after work has small plates, so we can load up to make up for skipping lunch.”

“Now that’s some math I can get with,” I say, making her laugh as I lock my computer screen. But not before refreshing my in-box one more time. I clearly have no self-control when it comes to Oz. “I do need some new clothes to keep up around here,” I add, grabbing my purse from the bottom drawer of my desk and slipping my phone in it.

“I know. The women around here have the nicest stuff. And my freaking girlfriend and I are different sizes, so we can’t even share clothes.”

We make our way down the hall toward the elevator.

“I understand. My roommate is tiny. I’m not squeezing into anything of hers. I’m happy we wear the same shoe size.”

“At least you have that,” Skyler says, hitting the button for the elevator. “You wearing that tonight?” She nods at my outfit. I’m wearing simple black pants and a white silk blouse that has a big bow at the neck.

“Actually, I’ve got this cute purple-and-silver dress I’m going to wear tonight. I’ll change into it before we head out, but I’ll wear these shoes.”

I lift one of my heels. They’re a deep purple, but the heels are covered in diamonds. Paige got them over a year ago, but they’re basically mine now. I’m obsessed with them and always try to find clothes that match them. Now that I’m thinking about it, I bet a purple bra with matching underwear with them would be crazy hot. I’ll be looking for that for sure at Nordstrom. Maybe I could take a picture in the dressing room and send it to Oz. Maybe that would get me a text back.

“Those are hot,” she agrees, looking at them.

The elevator dings on the lobby floor, and we both exit.

“How about you? What are you wearing?”

“Mallory?” I hear Paige yell across the lobby, cutting Skyler off before she can answer me. We both turn to look at her as she hurriedly walks over to us.

“Where are you going?” she asks when she’s finally standing in front of me.

“Nordstrom. They’re having a sale. I would’ve invited you, but you said you had lunch, like, an hour ago.”

She shifts a little on her feet before looking over her shoulder. I follow her line of sight to see Captain staring at all of us.

“Does he follow you everywhere?” I would think this Captain guy is creepy if I didn’t know he was the head of security here. And the fact that Paige is kind of crushing on him.

“We’re sort of teamed up,” she says dismissively, clearly not wanting to talk about him. “But you can’t go. I need to talk to you.” She almost seems a little out of breath and rushed.

“It’s cool. Do what you need to do. I can head out on my own,” Skyler says.

“Sorry. Next time,” I offer, disappointed that I’m ditching her, but it’s clear Paige needs to talk.