“I know. But I think it’s not really the chewing. It’s just someone being in your space. That’s what you’re not used to.”
“And I told you I’d get used to that too.”
“Will you?”
“Yes! I know people think I’m kind of weird and eccentric, but I’m not actually a hermit, and I’m not completely unreasonable.” I narrow my eyes, trying once again to read his expression. “Are you like this with all your clients?”
“Like what?”
“Like this. Kind of obnoxious.”
His mouth twitches up briefly. “None of them have ever called me obnoxious before, so I’d have to say no. But I thought you wanted me to be natural. Real.”
“I do.”
“This is real for me.”
“So the real you is kind of obnoxious?”
“I guess so.”
I give a long sigh at his slightly challenging expression. “I guess I’ll get used to it.”
He chuckles—the first real laugh I’ve ever heard from him—as he rinses out his cereal bowl, and then he takes his coffee with him and walks away.
I’M ABLE TO FOCUS A lot better when Damian’s not in the room, and I’m on a video chat with Steve when my temporary housemate reappears about a half hour later, showered and dressed and carrying a leather saddlebag that must hold his laptop and some books.
He stops in the kitchen to fill a travel mug with the remainder of the coffee in the pot.
“You want me to make some more?” he asks, holding up the empty pot.
“No. Thanks. I’ve had enough for now.”
“Okay. I’ll be at the library for most of the day.”
“Sounds good. See you.” I feel weird having this conversation with Damian when Steve is staring at me through the computer screen. “Sorry,” I say to Steve.
“Sorry for what?” Damian asks.
“No. Sorry. I was talking to Steve.” I gesture at the monitor. “I told you about him. He’s my partner.”
“Oh.” Damian walks around to look at Steve through the video chat. “Hey. I’m Damian.”
“I know,” Steve says with a smile. He’s my age and a similar temperament, which has allowed us to get along really well over the years. A lot of people wondered why Steve and I were never attracted to each other, and I’m pretty sure it’s because we’re too much alike. He’s cute enough with too-long wavy brown hair and really nice brown eyes, but I’ve never thought about him sexually at all. He’s like a brother to me. Like family. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Damian shifts his eyes to me. “I’ll see you this evening then, Clarke.”
“Yeah. See you.”
I wait until Damian has left the condo before I turn back to Steve. “Sorry about that.”
He shakes his head at me. “What are you doing, Mel?”
“You know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.”
“With that guy?”
For some reason my back stiffens in what might be defensiveness. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He doesn’t seem like a guy to play around with. He seems like a guy who’s used to getting what he wants.”
“But he doesn’t want anything from me except the money I’m paying. It’s a business arrangement. It doesn’t matter what kind of guy he is.”
“You’re living with him. Of course it matters.”
“I’m not really living with him. I mean, it’s more like roommates. He’s hardly ever going to be around anyway.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. I know so. We’ve worked everything out. And it’s perfectly safe. You won’t believe the kind of vetting that Companions for Hire puts people through. And Damian has stacks and stacks of raving references. I’m not doing anything stupid.”
“Maybe not stupid, but I’ve told you before it seems like it might be an overreaction to the situation. Your mom would—”
“My mom will always take my side!” My voice is just slightly hoarse. “She’s happy with Pop. I might not love the guy myself, but she does. I’m not going to let anything get in the way of it.”
Steve shakes his head. “You’re not responsible for everything, Mel. You can’t control the whole world. People aren’t projects. You can’t figure out the right code and make them do what you want them to do.”
“I know that.” I make a face at him. “And you’re one to talk. Exactly how many relationships have you had?”
“None,” he says without flinching. “I’ve had none. But that doesn’t mean I’m clueless. And I still think this whole thing is kind of weird. I don’t want you to get hurt. What does Dr. Hillside think about