Chapter One Hundred and Two

Chapter One Hundred and Two
Alana 

I’ve been home for a few days and have been miserable since my return. It will pass, well, not pass, but it will get more manageable in a couple of days. 
I’ve been walking around with my best smile, especially when I’m at work. I have my shift at the bookstore until five and then work at the bar from six to midnight. I will be exhausted by the time I arrive home. 

The store has been relatively quiet today. There are three of us rostered on. I’m tidying up the shelves to pass the time because I don’t want to stand around and do nothing. 

The sound of the door opening makes me look up. I am surprised to see Grant enter. He isn’t exactly a reader, so I know he isn’t here for any books. He must be here to see me, which is strange because he has kept his distance from me since everything happened. 

He glances around, and when his eyes fall on me, he smiles. I smile back, and he approaches. 

“Hey, Grant. What are you doing here?” 

“I wanted to see you. Are you due for lunch?” he asks softly. He doesn’t sound mad at me like he has been recently.

I check the time. “I am, yes. Everything okay?” 

Grant rubs the back of his neck nervously. “Yes. I was hoping we could talk?” 

“About?”

He isn’t the only one who is nervous now. I have no idea what he wants to talk about. He knows I am with Ezra, so it can’t have anything to do with Grant and me. 

“Don’t look so worried. It isn’t anything bad, nor am I here to steal you away from him.” He chuckles. 

“I can’t help but be nervous because your body language is showing me you are too.” 

“Sorry. I promise you have nothing to worry about. Do you want to stay here or go somewhere else for a coffee?” he asks. 

“Somewhere else. How about Starbucks?” I suggest. 

Grant nods. I let my co-workers know I am heading out for lunch and will be back soon. We walk the short distance to Starbucks.

“You find a seat while I get the drinks. Do you want anything to eat?” 

“No, just a flat white, please.” 

I have lunch in the fridge at work. No point in spending money on food when I don’t need to. I find us a table while he places our order. I take my cell out to check and see a text from Ezra. 

Hey, bright eyes, I just wanted to say hello and let you know I am thinking of you. I will call you later xx

I smile when I read it. I am eager for our video call later. 

Hey, my love. I am thinking of you, too. Talk later xx

I put my cell away and wait anxiously for Grant to return. It doesn’t take him too long to come back. He sits across from me and hands me my drink. 

“Thank you.” Silence falls between us for a moment as we take a sip of our drinks. 

“Alana, I wanted to chat with you to apologize for my behaviour towards you. I had no right to act the way I did or say what I said to you. I miss chatting and hanging out with you,” he says softly. 

“You don’t need to apologize, Grant. I should never have started anything with you. You deserved better. I didn’t mean to use you. I am not that type of person.” I sigh. I still feel guilty about it. 

“It’s okay. I understand. How are things with him?” He’s trying to be nice when he speaks about Ezra, but his eyes give him away when he rolls them. 

“I would like us to be friends again, too. The long-distance thing must be hard, but if you are supposed to be together, you will make it work. Does he treat you right?” Grant tilts his head when he asked the question. Gee, intense much?

I know Grant has seen a side of Ezra which wasn’t his best. “He does, yes.” I smile, breaking eye contact. 

“Then that’s all that matters then. I am sorry I have been ignoring you, Alana. I just found it hard to be around because of what happened, and because I like you, but I promise not to act in such a dick way anymore. I want us to be able to hang out without any awkwardness between us. Do you think we can do that?” There is a hopeful look in his eyes. 

“Yes, we can. I would like that,” I say brightly. 

Grant grins. “Great! Will Ezra be okay with us being friends? I don’t think he likes me.” 

“I don’t know what he will think about it, but I will talk to him. I am sure he will be fine, eventually. He acted how he did because I am his, and he doesn’t like knowing anyone else has been near me,” I reply honestly. 

“I would be the same if it was the other way around. But weren’t you two broken up when we slept together?” 

“Yes, we were, but our relationship is very complicated. I thought I could find a way to get over him, because in reality, we shouldn’t be together, not right now, for reasons I’d rather not get into. I was wrong. Ezra and I have a connection that's hard to explain. We are drawn to each other. Made for each other, even, but we need to overcome some hurdles, so it is no longer complicated.” I’d rather Grant didn’t know the whole truth, but I need him to understand it isn’t easy for Ezra and me. 

“I hope he is worth it, Alana, because you are still young, and you shouldn’t have to deal with so many complications in a relationship.” 

“He is worth it. What we have is worth it.” I smile. 

Grant nods and sighs. “Please be careful, okay? And if it doesn’t work out, you know where I am.” 

“Anyway, enough about me. How are things with you?” I choose to change the subject. I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear about Ezra and me. And I don’t want him to say anything else about liking me. 

I don’t mind spending my lunch with him, as long as things don’t become awkward between us. I hope we can go back to how we were before all the drama.