“I’d appreciate that. I don’t go in until noon, so tomorrow is fine.”
“Want to meet for breakfast at The Gravy Train and then walk over afterward?”
“That sounds good.”
“Okay.”
The line goes quiet, and I check the phone to see if he’s still there.
He is.
We just don’t know how to end this call.
“So, uh, what are you wearing?”
I almost spit my wine out. “What?!”
He laughs. “I’m kidding. Just thought I’d break the tension.”
“Living with you is going to be fun.”
He mutters something I can’t quite make out.
And a thought hits me.
“How much?”
“Huh?”
“The rent—how much is the rent?”
“Six fifty.”
What? There’s no way… “That seems way too good to be true.”
“Well, it’s true.”
“You’re not trying to cut me some pity deal, are you?”
“I don’t know you very well just yet, Maya, but I have a feeling you wouldn’t appreciate me saying yes to that.”
“You’re damn right I wouldn’t.”
“Then no, that’s not what I’m doing.”
“Nolan…” I sigh, closing my eyes against the tears forming. Part of me wants to argue with him. The other part is grateful. “Thank you.”
He doesn’t say anything, and I’m glad he doesn’t say anything.
I’ve been an emotional wreck for weeks now. If he were to say something, the dam barely keeping my tears at bay would certainly burst.
“So, does nine tomorrow work?” he asks.
It gives me enough time to get Sam to school and get back across town. “Yes, nine is fine.”
“Sounds good.”
“Uh…” I’m at a loss for how to end the conversation. “Good night then.”
He chuckles lightly, like he knows how uncomfortable I am. “Night, Juliet.”
A smile breaks out across my face as the call disconnects.
That night, for the first time in a long while, I sleep peacefully.
6
Nolan
Maya: I’m running five minutes late. I’m sorry.
Me: I hope this isn’t an indication of how you pay the rent…
Maya: I’ll have you know I’m an excellent tenant.
Me: This isn’t helping your case at all.
Maya: Blame the school drop-off line, not me.
Me: Uh-huh. Likely excuse.
Maya: Shut up.
Maya: OMW
Me: OMW?
Me: Never mind. Google helped me.
I tuck my phone into my pocket, then run a hand through my still wet hair as I lean against the back wall of the elevator.
At the rate this thing moves, I’ll be running five minutes late too.
As I watch the floors tick by at a snail’s pace, I do a mental check of the apartment.
Fuck. I should have done one last sweep, made sure everything is in decent shape since I’ll be bringing Maya back there.
I laugh to myself as the elevator finally stops in the lobby.
Man, if you’d have told me when I met her I’d be bringing her back to my place, I’d have thought it was because I was about to get my dick wet, not for her to inspect it before she moves in.
The thought literally stops me in my tracks, right in the doorway of the apartment building.
“Thanks,” someone chirps as they slide past me, thinking I’m holding the door open for them.
I’m not.
I’m too fucking busy freaking out.
I give myself a shake, shove my hands in my pockets, and keep walking.
I almost bump into a pole, then a person, so lost in my thoughts as I make the short walk to the diner.
What the fuck am I thinking?
She can’t live with me. Her kid sure as fuck can’t live with me either.
I can’t afford to get attached, not even in the slightest—and Maya is the type of person you could get attached to.
I need to tell her this is off.
I can’t do this.
I—
“Hey!”
Her voice hits my ears, and my eyes snap to her as she sashays down the sidewalk toward me.
She’s wearing a smile that takes up her whole face, and her gray eyes are brighter than I’ve seen them yet. She somehow looks years younger, and I know it’s the stress leaving her body that does it.
Seeing how much of a difference this is making for her when she hasn’t even moved in yet…I’d be an asshole to say no.
“Hey,” I say as she comes to a stop in front of me. “Glad you could finally make it.”
Her eyes narrow to slits, only there’s nothing but humor in them. “Says the guy also running late.”
“Blame the slow-as-shit elevator, not me.”
“Uh-huh. Likely excuse,” she quips, feeding my words back to me.
I grin, then nod toward the diner. “You ready?”
“Please. I am starving this morning. I’ve been so stressed these last few weeks I’ve not been eating much. I guess it’s finally catching up