Hatred With Benefits novel Chapter 23

EVA.

I stare down at Emerson's relaxed drowsing face and let out a weak sigh before moving my hand from his curls. I'm careful to not wake him as I roll his head from my chest to the bed to sit up.

I stare around his room and it looks better than I expected– a bit bigger than mine if I want to be petty. Every corner is in black except the bed sheets and it makes the atmosphere appear gloomy and moody in an Emerson Ford style.

There are shelves of books on one side and a desk next to the shelves. A smile climbs on my face as I look back to Emerson before looking back at the shelves – Ford never strikes me as a guy who enjoys reading and it comes as a surprise that he has books with him.

I gnaw on my lips as I move from the bed and take quiet steps to the other side. I pick up a book and my eyes widen barely at the cover and the label. Looking through the shelves, the rest are novels too— both old and new. Who could have thought Emerson Ford read novels? Romance ones to be exact.

When Emerson groans from the bed, I'm quick to return the book and stroll back to the edge of the bed.

I pick my clothes from the floor and raise my head, my eyes spotting the painting on the wall above the bed. It's a painting of an eye with somewhat darkness surrounding it.

I drop my gaze to Emerson's sleeping form, wondering what the painting could mean to him and when he rolls to his side, I take one last look at the odd painting before making my way out of his room.

I walk through my door and close it behind me. Dropping my clothes to the side, I fall on the bed with a sigh and shut my eyes, but I'm quick to open them at the reminder of a certain guy.

"Dan, fuck. " I mumble under my breath as I search through my pant pockets for my phone.

I toss the pants to the side and guilt flows through my veins as I stare at the series of messages Dan left me.

DAN: I'm here. Are you on your way?

The first message is about two hours ago. Two hours while I was busy with someone else.

DAN: You aren't picking up your calls, Eva. Is everything alright?

The second reads, then there are more of him asking about my whereabouts and some random sad emojis.

With my eyes moving across the screen and my fingers floating over the keypad, I try to think of a reply.

After much contemplation, I begin to type out a response.

ME: Hey, I'm sorry I made you wait. Something came up.

A sigh leaves my lips as I read the message continually in my head before clicking send. The more I stare at the words, the more they become annoying. Something came up? That's the best you could do, Eva?

I'm about to toss the phone to the side when there's a beep of a new text notification.

DAN: You're fine? You got me worried, Eva. You should have called or texted to let me know you wouldn't make it, you know?

ME: I know. I got caught up with it.

I stare at my message and angle my head to the side as I debate whether or not to type out the next words.

I drop my gaze at Dan's new text and a smile crosses my lips at the words across the screen.

DAN: You have to make it up to me.

ME: Of course, you would say that.

I fall back on my mattress with a breath.

ME: What do you want?

I turn to my side and coil my finger around a strand of my hair as I wait for Dan's text. There are a couple of minutes with me just rolling from one side to the other before my phone beeps with his new text.

DAN: Two dates? You can't say no, Eva Carson.

ME: Maybe.

I smile at my text before throwing the phone to the side and burying my head in the pillow.

~

"Hey, you. " I smile at an approaching Dan with Noel by his side and his signature scowl pressed to his face.

"Hey, " Dan responds with that gorgeous smile of his, triggering his dimples. His eyes run down my body before they settle on my face again and I clear my throat when he says nothing with his lips slightly parted.

Dan's lips curves in a chuckle before he turns to Aliya and they exchange greetings. I watch in amusement as Dan nudges Noel by the side and the man glares at him before he finally takes notice of us.

"Hey, Eva. " He says warmly and I shake my head. "You're so addicted to that thing. " I gesture to the phone he has in hand and Noel's face splits into a grin.

"You know how the world would be without one. " He throws me a wink, which earns him a playful hit to the shoulder from Dan before he turns to Aliya.

"So remember your promise?" Dan steps closer to me as he leaves his friend with mine and I nod, folding my arms against my chest. "You make it sound like I'm dumb most times, Daniel. My pride is hurt. "

Dan let out a low laugh. "Just felt the need to remind you. I feel like you wouldn't give me your time if I don't put in the effort. "

I hum and there's just staring into each other's eyes before I break the contact and look around us. When my eyes settle on him again, I say, "I have an idea. " Dan nods for me to continue. "How about you let me decide this time? That way it'll be all on me and I'll know it's my plan. "

He seems to think about it before he gives another bob of his head. "That sounds better. "

"I know. " I chuckle and Dan steps to my side as I walk in the direction of the class.

"Your class is that way. " I halt my steps when Dan continues to follow my path and he smiles. "I know that. "

"So why are you following me?" I arch my brows and he shakes his head. "Wrong choice of words, sweetheart. I'm not following you, I'm walking you to class. "

"No, you're not. You're heading to your class. " I nod behind him and Dan chuckles before moving ahead of me.

"Just go with the flow, bitch. He's hot. " Aliya whispers near my ear and I twist my head to glare at her. She laughs and ruffles my hair before stepping away.

"You're insane. " I tell her as I smooth my hands down my hair before moving to catch up with Dan. I stop when there's no sound of Aliya's footsteps behind me and when I turn around, she's standing in her previous spot.

"Why are you not coming?" I ask her.

"I need to meet up with Sage. She said she want to see me before class. " She mumbles with reddened cheeks and a smirk climbs on my face as I cross my arms against my chest. "To have you against the wall?"

"Fuck you. It's not like that. " She's quick to defend and I laugh. "If that were so, you wouldn't be so red, Lia. You're terrible at hiding your emotions from me. " I call her out and she gives me the middle finger.

"Don't be late. " I tell her and she nods with a smile before turning around. Before she takes the first step, she turns to me again, "Take notes for me. "

"No promises, bitch. You're the one choosing your sexual desires over your class. " I don't wait to see the scowl she'll give me before I turn around to catch up with Dan.

"Do you enjoy your classes?" Dan asks as we draw closer to the entrance and I hum. "You could say it's exciting. "

"Why does that sound like you don't enjoy it?" He laughs as he stops in front of the class, slipping his hands into his pant pockets.

"I do. " I giggle and he nods.