“And you should have more lights outside. Brighter ones. There are far too many places—” Glancing around the small apartment, I quickly note several other security issues. “Even though you’re on the second floor, I’d put alarms on the windows. And do you have an emergency ladder if the door is blocked?”
She hangs up her bag and hugs Bigfoot to her chest. “Is it really that bad? I thought… I always fasten both locks, and I keep the windows locked when I’m not home. And I installed a video doorbell as soon as I moved in…”
Looking at her worried face, regret sweeps through me.
Shit.
I’m not wrong about the security issues. But I shouldn’t have laid them all on Noelle at once. I could have eased them into the conversation. Or better yet, I could just come over to take care of everything for her.
“I’m sorry.” Noelle’s stiff as I pull her into my arms, making me feel like even more of an ass. “I shouldn’t have said it all at once like that.”
She tilts her head back to look at me. Tiny lines form between her brows. “I want my apartment to be safe, Webb.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “It is. Mostly. But I can help make it safer.” Guiding her over to the couch, I wait for her to sit, then take a seat right beside her. She’s still hugging her little Bigfoot, which would normally make me happy, but I have a sneaking suspicion she’s only doing it because I scared her.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You didn’t.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Okay. Maybe a little. But I’d rather you tell me than not. When I saw the apartment, I thought everything was safe. But you’re the expert. Not me.”
“I have some time tomorrow,” I offer. “I could come over to install some upgrades.”
She sets Bigfoot on the coffee table. “Like what?”
“New locks, to start. I’ll put in the same locks we recommend to our clients. And high-lumen motion sensor lights at the top and the bottom of the stairs. Plus another above where you park your car. I’ll install some window alarms and bring over an escape ladder. Anyone living on the second floor or higher should have one.”
“Do you?” Noelle asks. “Since you’re on the second floor?”
“I do.” Taking her hands in mine, I add gently, “I really didn’t mean to scare you. But I want you to be safe.”
Her gaze softens. “I’m glad you care enough to want to help.”
My heart thuds again. “So can I come over tomorrow? Put in some upgrades?”
Noelle stares at me with an unreadable expression. “If you have other work to do?—”
“Nope. Everything else can wait.”
After a moment, a slow smile spreads across her face. “Okay. But under one condition.”
The tension in my chest releases at her smile. “Anything.”
“I’m only working the breakfast shift tomorrow. If you come around noon, that’ll give me time to shower and make something for lunch. What would you like?”
“You don’t have to make me lunch,” I protest. “I can pick something up?—”
Noelle leans forward and silences me with a quick kiss. Her eyes are like warm honey as they meet mine. “I want to, Webb. Not just because you’re helping, but because I’dliketo cook foryou. I’m not a gourmet chef or anything, but I think I’m pretty decent.”
“What’s your best lunchtime meal, then?”
Noelle thinks. “Grilled cheese. With three kinds of cheese, tomatoes, and ham. Plus a salad on the side to add something healthy.”
“That sounds perfect, then.” I grin at her. “So, noon tomorrow. It’s a date. I’ll get to show off my incredible talents as a security expert,andI get a fantastic lunch.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Bigfoot catches my attention. “Do you like him?”
