After a few deep breaths, I’ve almost got my head around it. “Okay.” Another deep breath. “Okay. You were trying to help me.”
His shoulders relax with relief.
“You will stop paying the rent immediately.”
He frowns. “I signed a lease.”
“Of course you did.” I roll my neck. “You will either find someone to rent it?—”
“I don’t want some rando moving in next door to you.”
“Who taught you that word?”
“I heard Sam say it to Ben.”
I press my lips together. “Well, you’ll either find somerandoor you’ll let me pay you back over time.”
“Absolutely not.” He looks aghast at the suggestion. “That would end up costing you way more than a rent increase.”
“Well then, I guess you need to find a tenant. Unless you want to move in.” I huff a laugh but Arthur just keeps looking at me, his face uncertain.
“Would you be okay with that?”
“Would I be okay with what?”
“Me moving next door.”
“Arthur, you live in a bougie penthouse. You want to give that up to live in a forty-year-old duplex?”
His mouth curves upward. “I’d like to be closer to you. It wouldn’t be like moving in together. Not really. You’d have your place, I’d have mine. But I’d get to see you more. And Sam.” He clears his throat again. “But it would be up to you.”
It’s like looking at him and seeing him for the first time. “I would like to talk to Sam about it.”
“Of course.”
“But I would like to see you more too.”
He smiles at me and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. “Okay.”
“Okay. Now, anything else you want to tell me?”
He starts to shake his head then stops. “I bought you diamond earrings for your birthday.”
Wasn’t expecting that.
“But I returned them this morning. I realized you never would have worn them and would have been mad at how much money I spent on them. That’s it. No more secrets.”
Secrets. Dread creeps up my spine as I realize while Arthur has just bared his soul for me, I might be keeping the biggest secret of all.
“Elliot?” He steps toward me, concern in every line of his face. “What’s wrong?” He cups my chin and I lean into his touch, desperate for reassurance.
After a shaky breath, I tell him about Shawn. The texts, the calls, the threats. I tell him every detail, leaving absolutely nothing out. I don’t fight the tears as I speak. When one falls down my cheek, his thumb gently wipes it away. He listens to me confess every last thing and when I’m finally done, he hauls me into his chest.
“Okay,” he says after a long moment. “What do you need?”
I sniff, wiping at my blurry eyes. “I don’t even know. What do you think I should do?”
“I think we have three solid options. One, you talk to Jess. Tell her everything you told me. The man is harassing you, Elliot. I think you have grounds for a restraining order.”
