Alina’s Pov

By afternoon, the apartment still smelled faintly of the coffee and noodles I had in the morning, mixed with the smell of snow outside. I cleaned up just to keep my hands busy, but my mind wouldn’t stop circling the same thought:

Steven.

What is he hiding from me? Nibbling my middle finger with my teeth.

I picked up my phone more than once to call him, but stopped every time. He’d either deflect or make me feel like I can’t stay without him, I won’t show myself that way. ...