Until the End by J Hoffman

Author:J Hoffman [Hoffman, J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-21T05:00:00+00:00

19

Talia sent Isaiah with a short list of groceries. She opted for penne with vodka sauce and parmesan-crusted chicken. She told him to pick the dessert and he seemed fine with that. Damien accompanied her in the kitchen while Isaiah cleaned up the rest of the apartment. He wasn’t much help, but his presence kept Talia cheery. She stood in front of the stove, stirring the sauce slowly with a flat wooden spoon. Damien stepped up behind her and slipped his hands into her front pockets. She let herself lean against him and laid her head back on his shoulder.

“You’re my Mona Lisa.” His lips brushed against her ear.

“What does that mean?”

He swayed back and forth, rocking her slowly. “You’re beautiful from every angle.”

She could feel the heat from the stove pouring over her, but the flutters from her stomach seemed to be frozen in her chest. There were few famous paintings she was inspired by, but da Vinci created two of them. Mona Lisa and La Belle Ferronniere captured a type of emotion Talia could only aspire for in her own work.

A knock at the front door sent Isaiah into a panic. He threw the broom and dustpan into the closet and shoved it closed before they could spat back out at him. He adjusted the hem of his shirt three times before he dusted off his shoulder. He pulled the front door open and Talia could just barely hear them exchanging greetings. Damien hadn’t budged, and Talia hadn’t wanted him to. “When we can grab some alone time, I’d like to talk to you.”

“Yikes. Breaking up with me already?” Damien smirked.

“Can’t break up if we’re not dating.” Talia chimed.

“We can talk. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

Isaiah stepped into the kitchen. “This is my roommate, and bro, Damien. Damien, this is Amari.”

Damien let go of Talia and turned around, but she wasn’t prepared. She fell backward against Damien, who lunged forward and barely caught himself on the table.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Amari squeaked.

Damien steadied himself and helped Talia to her feet. She closed her eyes and wished out loud quietly. “Please no. No, no.”

“I’m fine. Are you okay, Tal?” He turned her around and she opened her eyes, just in time to catch the shock flash across Amari’s big, brown eyes, accentuated by the bold black mascara.

“Talia.” Amari glanced at Isaiah.

“You know her?” Isaiah tilted his head curiously.

“Amari!” Damien shouted and snapped his fingers as if he had just realized what her name was. “This is your best friend?”

Talia swallowed, staring at her from across the kitchen. “Yeah.”

“No way! Small world!” Isaiah beamed. Talia was beginning to dislike just how small the world was. Her entire universe had shrunk to the size of a kitchen table. All the moisture in her mouth seemed to dissipate while her eyes began to burn. Isaiah didn’t seem to notice the tension growing between them, he nudged Amari gently on her arm. “My best friend is dating your best friend.

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