Chapter 50

Nina

“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” Enzo said, the red in his eyes fading back to a soft brown. “Get back to training.”

The team grumbled and set me back down on the ground, then started running again. I was still amazed at my landslide victory in the race, and stood there for a moment as they ran ahead.

Enzo walked up to me now that we were alone and gazed down at me with a half-smile on his face.

“You’re quite the runner,” he said.

“I guess so,” I replied. “I don’t know what came over me.”

For a few moments, neither of us spoke. We were standing close enough that I could smell his sweat mixed with his cologne. Involuntarily, we were both leaning closer to each other. Close enough to kiss…

Enzo stepped back and shook his head. He drew in a sharp breath before speaking.

“What you saw last night-”

“Whatever it is, it’s none of my business,” I interrupted. “We’re just friends. You’re allowed to do whatever you want.”

Enzo opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, the team started getting annoyed and calling for us to catch up. Turning on my heel, I ran to join the group so Enzo couldn’t see my tears.

He lingered at the back of the group for the rest of the run.

When we finished our run, we came back out at the same spot we went into the woods, having gone in a big loop. Tiffany was sitting on the bench and flipping through some paperwork when we returned.

“Have a good run?” she asked, standing as I jogged up to her.

“It wasn’t bad, actually,” I said, praying that the blush on my face would just seem like it came from all of the exertion and not from the feeling of Enzo’s red wolf eyes on me.

“Good,” Tiffany replied with a smile, sticking her paperwork in her bag and hoisting the bag onto her shoulder. “I’ve gotta head back to the office. You did good work today. Go get some rest.”

I nodded and watched Tiffany walk away. Then, taking one last glance over my shoulder at Enzo and the rest of the team, I started to head in the direction of home. My shower and my bed were calling to me after that run.

“Nina!” Justin called from behind me.

I pursed my lips and turned around, not wanting to be rude but also not wanting to give my ex any more false hope than he already seemed to have. “What’s up?” I said.

“Can I walk with you for a minute? I just wanna talk.”

Sighing, I nodded and started walking again. Justin followed along like a lost puppy.

“I just wanted to apologize again for everything I’ve put you through this semester,” he said as we walked. “I know I’ve been shitty to you, and I’ll totally respect it if you just wanna be friends. But I also want you to know that I’m gonna work real hard to change and be better from now on.”

I stopped, turning to look at Justin. He already seemed to have been improving on his appearance. His hair was neater and his clothes were cleaner, much unlike the somewhat sloppy jock who I had known before. And his performance lately was improving -- everyone could tell.

“So… You want me to give you another chance?” I asked.

Justin’s eyes widened and he nodded vigorously. “Yes, Nina. I know I messed up. I would love it if you would give me another chance.”

I thought back, then, to how things had been good between us before the night that Justin cheated on me. Maybe things could go back to that if he was really truthful about improving upon himself.

“Alright,” I said. “I’ll consider giving you another chance if you promise to keep working on yourself.”

I watched as a grin spread across Justin’s face. He took my hand and squeezed it tightly, gazing at me in the same way he used to gaze at me when we were together. “I promise,” he replied. “I’ll be the best version of myself I can possibly be.”

With a smile, I let go of Justin’s hand. “Okay. I’ll think about it,” I said, and with that, I turned and walked off of the athletic field.

But as I walked away from Justin, I felt more than one pair of eyes on me. Taking one last glance over my shoulder, I saw the distant form of Enzo as he watched me from afar.

…

The next day, I was walking to my next class of the day when my phone started buzzing. I looked at it to see that it was Phil, from the diner, calling me.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Nina,” Phil said, sounding chipper. “I hope you’ve been doing better.”

“I have, actually,” I replied. Was he going to ask me to come back to work? I really needed the money, but I didn’t want to beg.

“Listen,” he said, “we’re really missing your help over here. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions before… If you’re not too mad at me, and if I gave you a raise to make up for it, would you be interested in coming back to work?”

“Yes!” I blurted out, then covered my mouth and cringed at my overly enthusiastic response. “I mean… Yeah, that would be good. When do you want me to come back?”

“Can you come in tonight?” Phil asked.

I had promised Lori I would hang out with her, but I knew she would understand. I really needed the money; I’d been living on the free meal plan food and instant noodles for the past two weeks.

“I’ll see you tonight,” I said.

Later, I explained the situation to Lori and she understood completely. I had just enough time after my last class to shower and get changed into my uniform before I had to go to work, and I was honestly excited to be back; not to mention the pay raise.

I was walking to work, however, when I ran into none other than Enzo on the quad.

He looked me up and down and smiled.

“Back to work?” he said.

“Yeah,” I replied, blushing when I saw his eyes flicker down to my chest, which I had always thought looked quite good in my retro diner uniform. “Um, Phil called earlier and I guess he had a sudden change of heart. He even gave me a raise.”

Enzo smirked. “Good,” he replied. “You deserve it. I’m glad he took my advice.”

I was about to say something else, but my words caught in my throat as I realized what Enzo had just said.

“Wait,” I said, taking a step backwards. “Did you… Did you talk to Phil?”

Enzo looked a little embarrassed, but nodded. “Yeah,” he admitted. “After you told me everything that happened with Lisa, I thought it would help the situation.”

I didn’t know what to say. I was happy to have my job back, but a part of me was also hurt that Enzo felt the need to take care of me.

Enzo must have seen me struggling. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I know I should’ve asked you first. I just thought… I don’t know. I thought it would be a nice surprise. Something to make up for how shitty I’ve been.”

I shifted my bag on my shoulder and nodded pensively as I looked at the ground. “I do appreciate it,” I replied. “Thank you. Just… In the future, let me handle my own affairs, please. I can take care of myself.”

Enzo seemed visibly hurt by my words, but before I could take back what I said, he nodded and started to walk away. “It won’t happen again,” he said, sticking his hands in his pockets. “Good luck at work tonight.”

I bit my lip as I watched him walk away. I couldn’t let him leave like this.

“Enzo!” I called after him.

He stopped and turned around, and when his sad gaze met mine, my heart skipped a beat.

“Really,” I said softly. “Thank you.”

A soft smile tugged at the corners of Enzo’s lips, but there was also a hint of sadness there. Without a word, he nodded and walked away.