Suddenly, Lyman heard footsteps echoing nearby.


    A hopeful smile broke out on his face. He tossed his cigarette aside, crushed it underfoot, and turned eagerly toward the sound.


    He knew Effie hated his smoking. Ever since they''d been together, he''d barely touched a cigarette-only today, with his mood in shambles, did he give in.


    If Effie showed up and got upset, he''d just apologize, sincerely this time.


    The footsteps grew louder, closer.


    Lyman waited, anticipation lighting up his features. But as the figure came into view, his smile froze.


    It wasn''t Effie.


    A young woman, maybe in her early twenties, spotted Lyman and stopped in her tracks. Something like awe flickered in her eyes; then, blushing furiously, she bolted past him.


    He caught the faintest whisper as she hurried by: "Wow... what a hottie."


    She clearly wanted to sneak another look, but Lyman''s quiet intensity made her think better of it, and she scampered away.


    Before he could shake off the awkwardness, another set of footsteps approached.


    This time, Lyman didn''t let himself hope. He kept his gaze steady, bracing for another disappointment.


    But then, a familiar silhouette appeared at the end of the corridor.


    He blinked in surprise, then a slow, lopsided grin tugged at his lips. He started toward Effie.


    But she was limping, every step careful and slow.


    "Come help me, will you? I twisted my ankle," Effie called out, her voice weak.


    rmed, Lyman closed the distance in a heartbeat and scooped her into his arms. “Too eager to see me?" he teased. "Is that what happened?"


    Nita''s budget was tight, so she''d rented a walk-up apartment-no elevator, just endless stairs.


    Effie had taken the stairs down, and in her rush, she''d misstepped and twisted her ankle.


    A faint blush colored her cheeks, but she refused to admit it. "The hallway light''s busted," she muttered, stubborn as ever.


    “Oh, the light''s out?” Lyman replied, his tone teasing and just a little smug.


    Crimson with embarrassment, Effie buried her face against his chest.


    Lyman''s voice softened. "I''m sorry about earlier. I can exin, I promise. Please don''t be mad at me, okay?"


    He lowered his head, eyes locked on hers, hope shining in every line of his face. Effie pressed her lips together, then gave a determined nod. "Okay."


    She''d been so frustrated before, her thoughts circling restlessly-there was no way she could sleep. But the moment she spotted Lyman from upstairs, something shifted. Why punish herself for someone else''s mistake? If anyone deserved to feel míserable, it was him.


    Let him exin, she decided.


    Lyman took a breath. “Isabel got harassed by some crazed fan at the hospital. The guy actually followed her all the way back to my mom''s neighborhood. So my mom Isabel stay at the apartmentplex across from ours Luther was supposed to drop her off, but my car got a t on the way. They saw me on the road and offered me a lift."


    He paused, ncing at Effie. "I sat in the front seat. That''s all."


    When Effie stayed silent, Lyman''s nerves spiked. He could almost feel his heart slowing in his chest.


    "Effie, I—"


    “Hmm?” Effie met his eyes, then suddenly pushed herself up on tiptoe and nted a quick kiss on his cheek.


    He caught the scent of alcohol on her breath, and his brows furrowed. "That''s not enough..."


    "What?"


    Effie felt the alcohol making her head swim, her thoughts going fuzzy.


    Before she could react, Lyman


    slipped one arm firmly around her


    waist, the other cradling her head, gently pulling her closer. He kissed her deep and demanding, stealing the very breath from her lips.


    Effie melted against him, dizzy and breathless, her body softening into his


    embrace.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!