Contingent by Livia Jamerlan

Author:Livia Jamerlan [Jamerlan, Livia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contingent
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Landon parked in an underground parking deck in Greenwich Village. I thought we were going to grab a bite but when we walked inside the elevator, he pressed the button for the eighteenth floor and I knew that he was bringing me back to his place.

“A little presumptuous don’t you think?” I leaned my back against the opposite side of the elevator cart from where he stood.

“What is?” he asked, matching my stance.

“Bringing me to your house.”

The elevator stopped, opening up to the eighteenth floor. Landon held the elevator door for me. “I said I knew a place. I didn’t say it was a restaurant.”

I sauntered out of the elevator and followed Landon down the long hallway until we reached the end unit condo. “This is where the magic happens,” he joked, unlocking the door and extending his arm for me to enter.

Landon lived in a two-bedroom condo that looked out at the Hudson River and into New Jersey. His scent swirled around his house, intoxicating my senses. Cherry wood floors ran across his apartment, and large, windows framed the living room area. The furniture in the condo was contemporary and stylish; something you would pick out of a Crate and Barrel magazine. An entertainment system sat in front of the oversized brown couch, and sports memorabilia sat on top of his bar area and hung on the wall. Landon’s bachelor pad was like him—warm, inviting, and comforting.

“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked, pulling back the refrigerator door.

“Water is fine.”

My wedges tapped against the wood floor as I headed towards the sliding window. Outside of his living room was a small deck with a sitting area and fire pit.

Landon joined me outside and handed me a bottle of water. We sat for a brief second admiring the view.

Extending his hand for my grasp, he asked. “Do you want to join me in the kitchen?”

Lifting off the couch, I followed him back inside to the kitchen. Landon took out a bottle of wine from his wine fridge and uncorked it. Pouring himself a glass he looked over at me, through his gaze I could see what he was asking. I chewed on my lower lip waiting for his question. It was only a matter of time before he asked me why I didn’t drink. And if he and I were going to make this work I needed to tell him the truth.

“Would you . . . ?” He didn’t finish his question.

“No, thank you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I . . . I’m . . . I’m in recovery.” My head bowed before him. Shame, and guilt suffocated me. I had been clean for almost a year, but the urge to use was still prominent in me.

“I’m sorry, Braelynn. I didn’t know.” I heard his footfalls come closer to me. Standing next to me his hand reached under my face, lifting me. His apologetic eyes did nothing to relieve the pain I felt.

“It’s not something I like to talk about.

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