HEAT RISING

Jannie's Pov

They arrived outside the gate in front of their building, and, as usual, Jessie had fallen asleep during the car ride and was snoring in the back seat. 

"I can carry her upstairs," Zeke offered as they exited the car. 

"Are you sure? We live on the fifth floor, and the elevator is broken!" Jannie replied. 

"It's not a big deal. Just go ahead and open the gate, and I'll grab Jessie," he said. Jannie nodded in agreement.

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"So, this is mine and Jessie's place," she said as she entered their apartment.

"It's nice and cozy!" Zeke replied, walking in behind her with Jessie in his arms.

"Where can I put her down?" he asked casually. Jannie seemed to drift off in her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" she looked up into Zeke's questioning eyes.

"Right, her room is down there to the right," she answered, pointing down the hallway. Jannie's heart skipped a beat when his arm brushed against hers as he passed into the narrow space.

She followed behind them and waited at the doorway of Jessie's room. She watched Zeke lay Jessie on the side of the bed and cover her with a blanket before he turned around.

"Thanks for everything. I have some money for the ride," Jannie said as Zeke approached her.

"I don't want your money," he replied, stopping just inches away. Once again, Jannie felt an odd sense of hypnosis around him.

"What do you want, then?" she mumbled, stepping back.

"How about a coffee?"

"Coffee? Now?" she asked, a bit confused. 

"Yes, that's a great idea," Zeke smiled as he walked past her toward the door.

They had rented a one-bedroom apartment with an open kitchen and living room area. Since Jessie was more active in her love life, she got the bedroom, and Jannie took the living room corner for her living space. She didn't mind—the arrangement worked out just fine.

Jannie prepared the coffee machine and then joined Zeke on the couch. They sat silently for a while, and she could feel his eyes wandering over her, searching for contact. But her drunk bravery had left during the car ride, and now she suddenly felt exposed, vulnerable in his presence.

"We never had a proper introduction before." Zeke said and broke the silence.

"No, I don't think we had. What do you wanna know?" Jannie replied, and their eyes met.

"How about twenty-one questions? I will ask you one first. " Jannie swallowed nervously, "Okay, shoot!"

"Where are you from?"

"I was born in Brooklyn but have lived in New York for the past sixteen years," She answered, and Zeke nodded. 

"Do you have any family?" And there it was, the dreaded question.

This is the most basic question for most people, but not for Jannie. She had ducked it so many times in her life because if she answered it truthfully, people would get uncomfortable and look at her with pity.

"My parents were murdered during a home invasion when I was six. No siblings. That's when I moved to New York to live with my aunt. " Jannie answered anxiously and was saved by the sound of the coffee machine, "How do you take your coffee? " She continued as she stood up and hurried over to the countertop.

"You don't have to do that," Zeke mumbled behind Jannie, and she jumped when she felt his hot breath on her neck.

"How the hell did you get over here so fast?" She blurted out and grabbed two mugs from the cabinet next to him with shaking hands.

"I was right behind you all along. Here, let me do it," Zeke said softly, placing his hands over hers. The warmth from his skin made her heart race faster.

"I didn't mean to upset you," he said as he poured the coffee into the mug while Jannie tried to compose herself again.

"I'm not upset," Jannie replied harshly, stating the obvious as she tried to focus. "I'm just so tired of people always feeling sorry for me. Yeah, it sucks that my parents were killed, but that was a long time ago, and I barely remember it anyway," Jannie continued, stumbling over her words.

Zeke turned to face her and grabbed her arms. "Look at me," he whispered. Jannie took a deep breath and tilted her head back to face his tall figure. "Do you see any pity in my eyes?" he asked. She searched his face before replying, "No, I don't."

"What do you see?" he continued, and Jannie noticed his pupils widen, making it impossible for her to look away. 

"I don't know. I can't tell," she whispered, feeling Zeke cup her chin.

"What you see is called compassion. That means instead of pitying you, I can empathize with you. I know what it's like to lose someone you love."

Jannie's thoughts were racing, but she was so captivated by his eyes that she could only nod in response. Was he going to kiss her? Just as that thought crossed her mind, he let go of her and walked over to the couch again.

"Tell me about your aunt. Who is she?" Jannie couldn't help but smile at his question and sat beside him.

"My aunt's name is Tia. She teaches history at a private school here in New York. She's warm and the most genuine person I know—my biggest supporter. She was only twenty-one when I moved in with her, and she had to fight for custody since her age was being questioned back then. I am grateful that she did. Sometimes, though, it feels like I took away her youth. But she is such an inspiration. To be so young and get her certification as a teacher while caring for me..." Jannie paused, realizing how easy it was to talk to him. She had never been this open with someone she had just met.

"Wow, she sounds like an incredible person. Taking in a young child and finishing school to become a teacher—it's impressive," Zeke said, and Jannie felt his feet touch her outer thigh. They were sitting at opposite ends of the couch, facing each other, so it was inevitable that they would touch at some point.

"So you are twenty-two then? Fresh out of college?" he continued. "I graduated from Yale this June, and I'm turning twenty-two in September."

"Cool! What did you study?" Zeke stretched his legs out, and Jannie suddenly had his feet on either side of her thighs.

"Pre-Med. I'm going to Med School this fall!" 

"That's ambitious. Are you staying in New York to study?"

"Yes, I got accepted into New York Medical School."

Zeke looked impressed. "Wow, I barely made it out of college myself!"

"Where did you go?" Jannie asked, noticing that he looked a little taken aback.

"Honestly? I studied economics at Columbia but was only accepted because of my dad's connections and money. I'm a little embarrassed about it. I wasn't the most productive student back then. But enough about me. How did you and Jessie become friends?"

"We were roommates throughout college, and our friendship grew naturally. She's fun, outgoing, brutally honest, and has a heart of gold. It was always easy being her friend," Jannie replied. She stopped hugging her legs and stretched them out between his.

"You ought to be close if you jump before her to save her from getting punched! How is your face, by the way?" Zeke asked. 

"Oh, I forgot about that," Jannie mumbled, letting her fingers slide over her lip. She could feel Zeke's body heat rising around her as she did.