“You’re stalling.”
She shot Bryce a look as she finally joined him in front of the elevator doors. “I’m not stalling.”
“You absolutely are.”
He dangled a key ring between them, the silver butterfly charm swinging back and forth like it had all the time in the world.
Beth huffed, crossing her arms. “Maybe I just like the underground parking garage ambiance. It’s very moody.”
Bryce smirked. “You’re adorable when you procrastinate.”
“I am not—”
“Liar.”
Maybe she was.
Beth glanced at the elevator, then back at Bryce, shifting her weight. The loft had always been this hypothetical place—a concept, not a reality. But now? Now, it was her home.
Her stomach flipped.
Bryce must have caught something in her expression because his teasing softened. “You don’t have to prove anything, Lizzy. If you need another night in your apartment, I get it.”
The kindness in his voice soothed her frayed nerves.
She shook her head, steeling herself. “No, I want to do this. I just want...”
Bryce nodded. Then, as if sensing she needed a push, he leaned in and dropped his voice to a whisper.
“Well, I am dying to get you upstairs and I’m sure you know why...”
Beth’s heart jumped into her throat. “Bryce—”
“Get your mind out of the gutter Stoner, I only meant so I could give you the tour.” Bryce winked.
Beth narrowed her eyes at him but still took the keys from his outstretched hand, accepting his silent challenge. She turned them over in her palm, noticing one key that looked old enough to belong in an antique store.
She arched a brow. “Did you steal this from a museum?”
Bryce chuckled. “That’s for the elevator.”
Her eyes flicked up. “You have a key for the elevator?”
“Yes. You need it to access the fourth floor.”
Beth gave him a skeptical look. “That sounds like a hassle if you have a group of people over.”
“I wouldn’t know,” he said, pressing the call button. “I’ve never had guests.”
Beth rolled her eyes, as he continued.
“If you’re coming in from the street, you use this key for the side door. If someone’s visiting, they have to be buzzed in and take the stairs from the third floor. Or you can go down and bring them up with you in the elevator.”
Beth blinked. “That is oddly complicated.”
Bryce shrugged. “Keeps out the riffraff.”
“So… me.”
