I liked him, and I hadn’t felt quitethis way about anyone in a ridiculously long time. That was a big deal to me.
“Good,” she said. “Betweenyou and me? I worry about him sometimes. When he first moved in here he seemed…sad. Lonely.”
She probably shouldn’t have beentelling me this, but I figured she’d gotten the impression Miles and I werecloser than we actually were.
Approximately as close as Iwantedto be, probably. I had to be putting out all kinds of protective, worriedvibes, too. It was just as well Miles was too rattled to notice.
“Yeah,” I said, not even alittle surprised to hear that. “He’s… he… yeah.”
Louisa offered me a warm,comforting smile. “Well, you seem okay. He’s in good hands.”
“Thanks,” I said, scratchingthe back of my neck. “I should, umm…”
“I’ll let you go.” Shenodded, radiating understanding. “And get these guys out of your hair,” sheadded, gesturing toward the two maintenance guys finishing up with the door.
“Best building manager I’veever met.” I forced myself to smile back at her, and hoped it didn’t look toofake.
Iwasgrateful thatshe’dbeen so good about all this. Having to fight management would have just made myjob harder, and I was already having to navigate my way around Miles.
Who wasn’t going to getaway with pushing me away anymore. While he was my client, I was keeping him safe.
Someone had tried to breakin again. That much was obvious.
Why hadn’t they, though?I hadn’t had time to think about it before now, but it was weird that the doorwas unlocked and whoever had done ithadn’tbroken in, afterall.
“Hey, uh, stupid question,but was the lock broken the same way the first time?”
“Looks like it,” Louisasaid. “We just reset it last time, but we’re not taking chances this time. We’rereplacing it, which is what we should have done the first time.”
“Good.” I ran a hand throughmy hair, not sure what to do with that information, exactly. “Hey, uh. You’vebeen awesome.”
Louisa smiled, nodded, andthen turned to the two maintenance workers. I watched them pack up and go, thenchecked the lock myself.
I couldn’t getoutwithoutunlocking it, at least, which seemed like a good sign. I planned on staying thenight anyway. If anyone tried it, I’d be ready for them.
Part of me hoped they’d try it again.That way we’d know what the hell was going on, and it’d be over.
On the other hand, that’d also mean mytime with Miles was over. I had mixed feelings about that possibility.
I wanted him to be safe.That was the most important thing.
Even if the thought ofhaving to say goodbye made my stomach cramp.
When I finally turned backto the kitchen, Miles was sitting at the counter.
Eating cookie butter.
With a spoon.
Hard to tell whether or notthat was a healthy coping mechanism.
As I approached, he pushed asecond spoon in front of the other stool, and nudged the jar over so it wasbetween us.
After a moment of thought, Isat down and accepted the spoon, taking a scoop of cookie butter from the jar Iwas clearly being offered. Firstly, Miles would probably feel better if he wasn’t eating aspread out of the jar alone.
Secondly, Iwascurious about it.
“Do you maybe wanna eat somereal food?” I asked, bringing the spoon to my mouth.
