He lets out another sigh and I hear him say thank you and then the sound of a door closing. I roll my eyes knowing that means he’s in the building now. Even though, simultaneously my heart is racing with excitement that he’s here. “I know and I’m sorry.” I hear shuffling outside of my door and then a knock. “Please just let me in.”

I swallow. “Why are you being like this?”

“It’s nothing you did, Gab. I promise.” I lean against my desk staring at the door. “Please?”

I move towards the door and open it slowly, standing in the way of the door so that he can’t come in yet. “Say you’re sorry.”

A smile pulls at his lips and he reaches up to rub my cheek gently. I’m glad I’m wearing a sweatshirt because the goosebumps are covering my arms at his gentle touch. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “You’re the only person I never take my shit out on and I fucked up by doing so.”

I take a step back and let him move into the room and shut the door behind him. “What’s going on, J?”

“I…” He rubs the back of his neck. “You want to get drunk?”

“Yes please, but that won’t solve your issues, and it will probably make it worse.”

“Something fell through at work and it was a shitstorm today, I just want to go to my apartment and forget about this shitty day and get drunk with you.”

The thought that my presence could help raise his spirits makes me feel slightly better. “Do you want to go out?”

“No.”

“Come on, I have a fake. It might make you feel better.” I pull my coat on and pull my hair out and over one shoulder.

“You know I hate when you use that,” he grumbles as he slings my duffle bag over his shoulder and slides up the handle of my roller suitcase. “It’s fine, I don’t want to have to worry about keeping you out of trouble or assholes from hitting on you.”

My eyebrows furrow slightly. “Why’s it a big deal if anyone hits on me? I’m eighteen, James.” He doesn’t need to know that I wouldn’t entertain anyone hitting on me anyway.

“I am well aware of that,” he says somewhat under his breath and moves towards the door. “Can we go?”

I’m just about to respond when Harper comes skipping through the door. “Oh, thank God, I didn’t miss you!” Her blonde curly hair bounces as she runs towards me and she squeals before launching herself into my arms. “Mwah.” She kisses my cheek. “Have a great holiday and text me every day.”