Before I have a chance to reach for the doorknob, the apartment door swings open.
“Sebastian,” Kate says my name as she looks at me. “I was just leaving.”
“You don’t have to go.” I move to the side to allow her to pass. “I can take off for a couple of hours and give you two some privacy.”
She waves the smartphone that’s clutched in her palm in the air. “There’s an emergency at my shop. I need to get back there now.”
Emergency.
The word is overused, but it still piques my interest. “What’s the emergency?”
“He’s a police detective.” Matilda steps into the doorway and shoots me a teasing glance. “I think it’s a requirement of his job to ask about emergencies.”
I bow my head briefly to hide a smile.
Kate nods at her before she turns her attention back to me. “I own a bridal store. Today’s emergency is a too-tight dress for a ceremony the day after tomorrow.”
“That sounds serious.” My mouth quirks.
“I had to call for back up.” She giggles at her joke. “My seamstress is already on the case, but I need to go calm down the bride-to-be.”
“Do you want to meet up for dinner later?” Matilda brushes her hand over Kate’s shoulder. “I can come by the shop with some take-out.”
Kate shakes her head. “I’m taking you out to celebrate your birthday. Put on that cute little black dress you bought last month and meet me at the shop at eight. We can grab an Uber from there.”
A wide smile slides over Matilda’s lips.
Jesus, she’s breathtaking.
“I’ll be there.” She brushes past me to walk her friend to the elevator.
“It was good meeting you,” Kate calls back to me as I step inside the apartment. “I’m sure I’ll see you again.”
She will. I’m already enjoying this new living arrangement.
I exhale harshly,trying to absorb what Matilda just said to me.
She repeats the words as she closes the door to the apartment behind her. “I said that I think you should move out.”
“Why?” I rake my hand through my hair. I know the answer to that question, but I ask it anyway.
“I’ve never lived with a man before,” she begins before she turns to look at the vase full of flowers. “Wendy said that you two had fun last night and that’s great. I’m all for having fun.”
I move so I’m standing directly in front of her. “What’s the problem, Matilda?”
Her eyes skim my T-shirt before they land on my face. “I wouldn’t call it a problem.”
“What would you call it?” I cross my arms over my chest and her gaze immediately drops to my biceps.
“I don’t think we’re compatible.”
What the fuck does that mean?We’ve lived together for less than a day.
I’ve learned that beating around the bush is a waste of time so I dive right into the crux of the matter. “You were surprised when Wendy showed up.”
She dips her chin. “Yes. I didn’t expect that.”
“I didn’t either,” I confess softly. “We don’t see each other often. I thought when she left last night that I wouldn’t see her again for months.”
