I raise an eyebrow. “So that means you didn’t get that penis piercing?”
It’s his turn to give me a brow raise. “Think I’d be walking normally if I did?”
I laugh out loud and shake my head. “Guess not. Plus, I’d probably have to drive you to get it. What an adventure that would be.”
“I’d never be able to look you in the eyes again.”
I squeeze his hand and say, “I’m glad we had this talk about you touching my boob.”
“Yeah, it’s been a real thrill for me.”
I laugh some more, loving how in the right moments, he can be so funny.
“Okay, now that things are not awkward anymore, do you want to come up to my apartment and see where all the water damage is? If you thought the conversation we just had was a thrill, wait until I give you a water damage tour. You’ll barely be able to go to bed tonight from all the excitement you experience.”
His smile stretches across his face. “Can’t wait.”
We both get out of the car, and when I round it to join Halsey, I take a chance and lean into him, putting my arms around his waist and pulling him into a hug. I half expect him to stiffen, but he doesn’t. Instead, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in tight. It feels so. ..natural. Weird.
“If you accidentally touch my boob again, please don’t let it be weird.”
“Promise,” he says softly. His arms feel like two giant security blankets wrapped around me.
We stand there for a few more seconds before I let go of him and then lead the way up to my apartment. He’s quiet for the most part, just taking it all in. We reach the second floor via stairs that we took slowly for his sake. He said we didn’t have to go slowly, but I told him if he injures that ankle again on my watch I’ll never be able to forgive myself.
When we reach my front door, I take out my key and unlock it.
“The place I had with Perry was much nicer than this, but I don’t mind this building, and it’s close-ish to work. Just sucks that it flooded on day three.”
He doesn’t say much, just takes it in. And I know he’s not judging me. For someone so wealthy, he’s not an elitist.So different from Perry, now that I think about it.Which makes me wonder why I feel I have to justify this apartment...
When I push open the door to my apartment, I’m greeted with clear duty tarps, construction materials, and tools. And an odd, funky smell. No clue what that is.
“And this is home,” I say on a sigh.
“I like what you’ve done with the place.” He glances around, and I can see some worry etched in his brow as he takes in the size of my tiny kitchen and the lackluster living room space that barely fits a loveseat.
I shut the door behind us and say, “My other place was much bigger, but since it’s just me, I thought this would do. Although, after being at your place for a few weeks, this feels like a cardboard box compared to your luxury apartment. There isn’t even a doorman in this building or a parking garage. Man,I should have never stayed with you.” I laugh it off, but I don’t think he finds it funny.
“You can stay with me for as long as you want,” he says, turning back to me. “Seriously. I don’t use that second room, which is obvious from the lack of bed in it, so you can occupy it as long as you want.”
“That’s really nice, Halsey, but this place isn’t bad, plus, if I take that job, who knows if I’ll be moving or not.”
“Right.” He stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Are you here to grab something?”
“Yes,” I say, walking toward my bedroom with Halsey following. “I have a wedding to attend this Friday, and I need to grab the dress and shoes I planned on wearing.”
“A wedding, that’s cool,” he says.
“You’ll be all alone on an off night with the boys out of town. What are you going to do without me?”
I glance over my shoulder to catch him twist his lips to the side. “I guess read.”
“Living on the edge.” I open the door to my bedroom where the most foul and mildewy smell swirls around us. “Oh my God, what is that?” I lift my shirt over my nose, but the smell is so pungent, my shirt does nothing to block it.
Halsey’s face nearly goes green as he lifts his shirt up too and covers his nose, giving me the smallest view of the patch of skin below his belly button.
“Fuck, that’s bad.”
