“So,” he started.
“So,” I said.
“You planning on staying here tonight?”
I laughed. “Idolive here.”
He rubbed his face with both hands, sliding his hands underneath his glasses. “You really can’t go to a friend’s? Or anywhere else?”
I thought about my very limited social roster. Jackson was cool, but also kind of…a lot. Plus we worked together. Sharing a space could be awkward. What if I pissed him off, and then we still had to see each other every day? The same went for Natalie and Ruby. Our friendships were still new, hovering in that awkward space between coworker and acquaintance.
“Ishouldoffer to stay another night,” Reid continued. “And I don’t want to be difficult, but it’s really hard for me to be away from home and break up my routine. I hardly got any sleep last night.”
That stirred a mix of guilt and irritation in me. “I didn’t ask you to stay here. I promise you, I’ll be fine.”
I walked to my front door and Reid trailed behind me. This topic had run its course. His attempt at chivalry was sweet, and even though I’d kind of enjoyed our sleepover, I was a grown woman. I didn’t need him. I’d be fine staying here by myself.
“I also won’t get any sleep if I know you’re here alone,” he said with a sigh.
“Can’t help you there, champ.” I held open the door as he shuffled past me.
I closed it behind him and locked the door right as Mrs. Edenbury was about to walk into her own apartment.
“Morning,” I said cheerily. She looked a little surprised to see us, jumping before carefully closing the door she’d just unlocked, keeping her back to it.
“Morning, sweetie. How are you doing?” She eyed Reid up and down with raised eyebrows.
“I’m hanging in there,” I said.
“And who’s this young man?”
“Reid,” he said, holding out his—quite large—hand. I hadn’t realized the size until it engulfed hers.
“I like your sweater,” Reid said to her, noting the black crewneck with a variety of kittens embroidered across the chest.
“Oh, this old thing. Thank you.” She smiled, looking down at it.
“We should really do tea sometime this week,” I said.
“Only if we do it at your place, mine is a mess,” she replied.
“Sounds good.”
“And before I forget…” Her words trailed off as she rummaged around in her red leather bag. “This got delivered to my mailbox by mistake.” She handed me a letter with no return address.
Reid and I shared a look. It was the same envelope as the notes from yesterday. It had to be another letter from the blackmailer.
Great.
“Thanks for this,” I said, holding it up. “I’ll see you later.”
She nodded and waved goodbye before slipping into her apartment.
Reid opened the door to outside and held it open for me. I ducked under his arm, my body brushing against his as I stepped outside.
When we were at our cars, mine parked behind his on the street, he whirled around, glancing toward the building and then back at me.
“Well, that was suspicious as hell,” he said.
