I wait for a beat before I respond even though I know exactly what she’s referring to. Almost everyone in my life has asked me the same question at some point. “Tired of what?”
The blanket slips down her shoulder to reveal a thin black bra strap. “Your job. I don’t know how you do it.”
I glance at the ceiling to try and tame my raging hard-on before she notices. “Some days are harder than others.”
“Was today hard?”
I shake my head. “It was easy.”
“What made it easy?” she asks quickly in response.
“I was working an older case.” I run my hand over my jaw. “It’s the new ones that kick the shit out of me.”
“New? You mean when you’re called out to a murder and you have to solve the case by starting at square one?”
She makes it sound like a board game or a puzzle. I wish it were that easy. “The worst is the notifications. My lieutenant told me that it would get easier with time, but it’s only gotten harder.”
Her blue eyes widen. “When I first started at the vet clinic, I was the one who had to stand next to the family members when the doctors told them that their pets weren’t going to make it or had passed away.”
She clears her throat before she continues, “I’m not saying it’s the same, but I cried every time. I still break down if I’m in the room when they hear the news. There’s no way I could handle it all the time like some of the other vet assistants.”
I’m not surprised. Her heart is too soft, too open, and too compassionate to deal with death on a daily basis.
“You have a kind heart, Matilda.”
“Do you really think that’s true?” She inches one of her bare feet forward.
“Without a doubt.” My eyes glide over her beautiful face.
She parts her lips before taking a deep breath. “You have a kind heart too. You’re not the arrogant jerk I thought you’d be.”
Smiling, I cross my arms over my chest. “Is that so?”
She nods softly. “You’re a good man, Sebastian.”
I lean forward so my breath skirts over her forehead. “What makes you say that?”
She looks up and into my eyes. “You make me feel special.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Tilly
I must bedelirious from a lack of sleep. I just told Sebastian he makes me feel special.
He hasn’t said a word, so I rush to clarify. “I mean I’ve never had a roommate who worried about what I was eating, or who brought me cake at work.”
His gaze slides over my face. “We’re more than just roommates.”
I inhale sharply. “We are?”
“We’re friends.” His mouth curves into a broad grin. “You consider us friends, don’t you?”
I hadn’t thought about that. We only met a short time ago, but it feels like I’ve known him for years. That has to be because Maya has mentioned Sebastian to me dozens of times since she met Julian.
“I think we’re friends,” I whisper back. “Yes, we’re friends.”
He nods. His face is so close to mine that I’d only need to edge forward a few inches to brush my lips against his.
