Ignoring me, he goes over to the coffee pot and pours some into a to-go mug, then holds it out to me.
“Mine’s better,” he says by way of an explanation.
“I didn’t peg you for a coffee snob.” I take a small sip. It’s good though. Is there anything this man is bad at? Other than wearing a shirt.
“I’m not. In fact, I don’t really drink it that much, but I figured you’d be wanting some.” He shrugs, looking away, like it just occurred to him how much effort he went to for me. “Hungry? I also got muffins from the bakery.”
“Exactly how long have you been up?”
He runs a hand over his dark, messy hair looking sheepish. “A while. I couldn’t sleep, but I had those delivered in case you were hungry. I don’t have a lot of food in the house right now.”
The blood rushes from my face. I’d been so worried about how I was going to sleep in a new place, I didn’t think about how me being here would screw with his schedule. “I’m sorry. I can go to Kinsley’s tonight. She wasn’t answering yesterday but she has a couch?—”
“No, no, no. I’m glad you’re here, really. I couldn’t sleep because I stayed up too late playing Mario Kart with Aidan.”
I look around. “I must have been really out of it. I didn’t even know you had company.”
“Nick’s son, Aidan. We play on the Nintendo.”
“Oh.” The mental image of him hanging out online with his friend’s kid is kind of cute.
“I was seeing banana peels and stars in my dreams.” He lifts the plate of pastries and holds it out to me.
“I usually just eat a protein bar on my way to the gym.” I reach into my bag and grab one, then hold it up like a trophy as proof of said breakfast.
“Okay.” He sets the plate down. “Any news on the repairs next door?”
I sigh. “They found a lot of issues.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. They have to cut into the wall and part of the ceiling, and there was something about laying new pipe…” I let out a small, strained laugh. “I stopped listening when he said it might be weeks before they get it all fixed. He’s looking for another rental option for me.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
I shrug because what else can I do?
“I have to be at the rink late this afternoon, so I’ll text you the key code for the front door in case you’re back before me. Make yourself at home. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” I nod. “With any luck, I will have found another place before the end of the day, and I’ll be out of your space for good. I really appreciate you letting me crash here. I may have to figure out how to steal that mattress when I leave.”
It feels good to joke, even if the situation isn’t very funny.
I shift and adjust the heavy overnight bag on my shoulder as I prepare to thank him again and leave for the gym.
“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.” He comes around and takes my bag from me. “I’ll walk with you,” he says by way of explanation.
He follows me out the front door and to the curb where my Jeep is parked. I place my coffee in the cupholder and start the engine so it can warm up while we talk. Travis hands me my bag and I toss it in the back seat.
His silence is more intimidating than his usual charming chatter.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” I prompt him. He has to be freezing out here. I can see my breath when I talk.
“I was thinking…” He stops, hesitates for a second. “Since you are currently houseless and we’re going to stay married…” Another pause, this one longer.
I find myself leaning forward as if I can pull the words out faster that way.
His brown eyes lock on me and hold. “You should move in with me.”
