“I had it cleaned,” he says.“It was between rentals.”
I stare at him in disbelief.“When did you do that?”
“I made a few calls while you went to the washroom.”
I’d gone into the washroom to splash cold water onto my face, because this evening had taken on a fork in the road I hadn’t seen coming, and all the while he was arranging all of this.
“That was fast.”
“It was already clean, but I had someone quickly give it a once over, and fill the fridge with a few things so you wouldn’t go hungry.”
We get out and he hands me a small black fob.I turn it over in hand.
“Hold it against the panel, it’ll beep and the door unlocks.”
I stare at him speechless.“You’re so … so … such a decent guy.You haven’t changed one bit.”
He’s always been around to help me, even when I didn’t realize I needed help, or support.I remember back on the Knight Estate, when he told me I could take books from the library even after his father caught us.We were almost holding hands when Zach’s father walked in and saw us.He didn’t like it.The cold look in his eyes chilled me to the bone.I didn’t want to get my mom in trouble, so I rushed out of there.After that, Zach told me we couldn’t meet in the library.We couldn’t meet anywhere in the house.He told me he still wanted to meet, and he asked me if I did.
Of course I did.I found myself looking for him as soon as I got back from school.I’d search for him on the weekends, and we’d talk whenever we could.Stolen conversations and laughter.And later, stolen, forbidden kisses too.
“It’s nothing, Maya,” he says, pulling me back to the present.“I want you to be safe.I want you to sleep in a bed, and I want you to be comfortable.”He shrugs like it’s no big deal.
My throat tightens.“No, seriously.”My voice is in danger of turning high.“Thank you.For this.”
“You’re welcome.”
To my relief he doesn’t push, doesn’t probe, doesn’t ask.Because he knows me, and he knows exactly how I’m feeling right now.So overcome with emotion that I might cry.
My mouth falls open as soon as I walk into the apartment.More floor-to-ceiling windows.I set down my small bag of clothes, my insides quivering with excitement.I struggle to stay calm, to not run around screaming with joy.The floors are pale wood, the surfaces are clean stone.It’s pristine, modern and quiet, and it feels completely unreal.And what I find most unsettling thing of all is that Zach didn’t hesitate to let me stay here.
“Oh, Zach,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady.I can’t hold it in any longer, and I step towards him, about to wrap my arms around him.
He steps back and I freeze, embarrassed.I suddenly become painfully aware of myself.“Do I smell?”
He blinks.“What?”
I sniff myself awkwardly.“I showered at the gym this morning.”
“No,” he says quickly.“You don’t smell.”
“You sure?”I take another sniff because I could die from the utter humiliation.I think he’s just being polite.
“You smell ...delicious.Fresh and fruity ...like you always do.”
He knows my scent.Fresh and fruity.I let out a nervous breath.“I’m so grateful, Zee.”
It falls out.The nickname I had for him.Something from our past.For a second I think I’ve crossed that line, after all, even though he cautioned me to “keep this professional.”
But if he hasn’t kept it professional, how does he expect me to?
I wait with bated breath, for him to correct me, but he doesn’t.He doesn’t even flinch.He just looks at me, and I get a warm and fuzzy feeling all over.In this moment, it feels like we’ve taken a step back into who we once were.
“I really appreciate this,” I murmur, my voice a whisper.
“I know.You’ve told me a hundred times already.”He’s acting like it’s no big deal, but this is a huge deal for me.“You’re helping me with the client data report, so …”
As if that means he owes me anything.
