The two men looked at each other, confused, before looking to me.
“I know you were hired for a move within the building, but this isn’t technically my place. It came furnished. I just have clothes and a few knick-knacks.”
Damn Jeremiah for putting me in this somewhat awkward position. He didn’t want any of the other tenants seeing him help with the move in case it raised any eyebrows or questions. I understood, even though it still didn’t sit right in my stomach that I was his dirty little secret. At least, that was how it felt.
“Okay then,” said the other man.
They rolled their two dollies and loaded them up with boxes, mostly filled with my clothes and shoes, and a few keepsakes. I heard them whispering to each other as the early morning light poured over the hardwood floor.
“We had the whole day blocked off for this move…”
“What do we do now?”
I cleared my throat politely. “I know it’s not much. You’ll still be compensated for a full day’s worth of work,” I said with an assuring nod. It was out of Jeremiah’s pocket anyway, and I knew he wouldn’t care.
They both seemed to perk up at that and began lifting faster, soon leaving the apartment, rolling out with all my belongings in one trip. It felt strange to stand here with nothing of my own in a stranger’s apartment that had grown to be home in just a few short months. I silently thanked the place for housing me when I was in desperate need of somewhere to stay. In desperate need of my life falling together.
If I had never moved here, I would never have had that chance encounter of meeting Jeremiah outside of work. Without that, I wondered if we would have ended up here anyway, now that my things were on their way up the elevator to his place. I smiled at the thought. I couldn’t believe we were taking this next step, and that I had let him convince me to. The cautiousness I used to carry had dissipated when he came into my life.
My phone buzzed on the nearby kitchen counter.
Jeremiah:You coming?
I smiled at the two words. So simple, yet inviting me into this whole new chapter.
Me:On my way.
I took one last look around the apartment before walking out the door, locking up behind me.
When Jeremiah opened the door to his apartment, I was surprised to see him in a pair of black sweats and a matching t-shirt that hugged his muscles. I swallowed hard, giving him anervous wave from the doorway. He just chuckled before taking a step back and gesturing for me to come inside.
“Welcome home,” he said with a grin.
“Thanks.” I laughed softly, taking a step inside. I had only been here that one night when I had broken in, and seeing it in the daylight just made it seem that much bigger. I took it all in, eyes wide.
“Want a tour?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“All your things are already in your room.”
“Allmy things,” I said sarcastically. “You know, I could have done it myself.”
“I know, but you shouldn’t have to.”
He walked me past the living room, where I had come to know him quite well, especially on the couch. He led me to the kitchen, which was pretty much the size of my old apartment. White herringbone tile covered the walls between the black marble countertops and the glossy, modern white cabinets. Just off the kitchen was the dining room with a large, rectangular stone table surrounded by upholstered cream chairs. The walls were covered in a dark wallpaper and the ceiling adorned with a midcentury gold chandelier.
We continued on down the hallway to the left, which led to his bedroom. It was strange to know we had been so intimate, yet I had never been in here before. It was just as I expected it to be with heavily drawn curtains that matched the charcoal upholstered bedframe, adorned with white marble nightstands clear of any clutter. It was modern, minimal, sexy. It was all Jeremiah.
After taking me through the rest of his ensuite, we walked back down the hallway to the other wing of the penthouse. I was in awe at how it felt like it just went on and on. There were two more bathrooms, including a powder room and a smaller guest bathroom, the laundry room, an office, and then finally my room at the very end of the hall.
Jeremiah stopped outside of the closed door and looked at me, a smile tugging at his lips.
“What?” I asked curiously, a brow raised.
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “I just hope you like it…”
He slowly pushed open the door and I let out a small gasp as my eyes took it all in. It was completely different than his room, with its gold canopy bed and gauzy white curtains draped over the top. The sheets were a crisp white and covered in a plush duvet that I wanted to dive into. On either side of the bed were white wood nightstands housing two small gold lamps. Sheer curtains adorned the windows, letting soft morning light drift through and warm the hardwood floors. It was the most beautiful room I had ever seen.
