“Oh, I’mdefinitelyup on rentals,” Krystal cuts in, her round cheeks looking painful at the smile she’s wearing. “I can help you for sure.”
I’m skeptical, but I hand it over.
“Thank you.” Krystal takes it from me and steps out into the small lobby. “I see you work at the Miller Law Firm.” She hums, reading over the paper. “Since you’ve got these sorted by theirdistance from work, are you wanting to live closer to the office?” She looks up from the paper, her dark brows contrasting with her platinum-blonde hair.
“Um…” Brittany’s voice trails off. “I think I’d like to be closer, but I don’t mind a small commute.”
“Okay, but from right here”—Krystal motions around us—“you’d have a hefty commute. The apartment here isn’t worth it…” She visibly chews on her bottom lip as she motions for us to step outside. “My car is just outside. If you want, I’d be happy to drive you over to the apartment that’s closest to your office. I actually took a peek at that one last week. You might like it; it’s got better management than this place.”
Okay, maybe Krystalwillbe helpful.
“Thank you.” Brittany’s gratitude is written all over her face and saturates the tone of her voice. It’s amazing how sweet she can be.
“Follow me!” Krystal waves us forward, and I motion for Brittany to step out in front of me. I follow behind, making it a pointnotto look at Brittany’s backside. The woman is just the epitome of everything a man could want, but she’s also the epitome of what could potentially get me murdered by my best friend.
Yikes.
I keep that in mind as I slide into the back seat, beside her. I reach for my seatbelt as Brittany takes the list back from Krystal, her eyes dropping to it.
“I know of a few others that are in your budget and close to work,” Krystal says as she pulls away. “I manage a few of them. I actually know of one that’s even a little closer to your work than any of the places you have listed. It’s at the lower end of your budget, too. Would you want to stop there first?”
Brittany nods eagerly. “I wouldlovethat.”
“Perfect.” She beams, and then bounces her eyes between us. “You two are cute. How long have you been dating? Is this your first apartment together?”
My brows skyrocket and I notice Brittany shares the same expression, only she looksmuchmore mortified by the idea.
Ouch.
“Um … I … Um…” Brittany falls over her words.
“We’re just friends,” I clarify so she doesn’t have to. “I’m helping her search for the right place.”
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry.” Krystal gasps. “I should’ve known better than to make that assumption. The two of you just look like the sweetest couple. I apologize.”
“It’s okay,” I say, grinning. Something about that assumption fuels my ego and I almost feel the need to puff out my chest a little. A woman as beautiful as Brittany dating me? Yeah, that’s a pipe dream.
Brittany lets out a quiet sigh, and I wonder what’s going through her mind right now. I have a feeling it’s probably not what I’m hoping for.
Wait … whatamI hoping for?
I ride the next twenty minutes in silence beside Brittany, noting that she’s spending alotof time staring at the paper with the addresses in her hand. Her lips are pressed tightly together in concentration, but there’s something about her gaze that comes across as being blank. She’s more zoned out than she is concentrated.
I nudge her knee gently with mine, grabbing her attention. “You okay?” My voice is nearly a whisper, too quiet for Krystal to hear in the front seat as she pulls over to park along the curb.
Brittany jerks her head upward, and the blank expression is replaced with a smile, but it’s not all that genuine. “I’m fine. It’s just a big day.”
“Yeah, but…” I nod slowly, unable to reassure her before Krystal starts clapping her hands together in the front seat. I wince at the noise, but Brittany seems to straighten, her face growing serious.
“We’re here. Are you ready to take a look?” Krystal turns around in the seat to meet Brittany’s gaze. “I really think you might love this place. Wouldn’t it be crazy to findthe oneduring your very first showing?”
“That would beamazing,” Brittany drawls. “It would savesomuch time.”
“I hear you.” Krystal shoots her a wink then dramatically opens the door, sliding out in a way that you only see in the movies.
“She’s eccentric,” I mutter under my breath.
“I kinda like her.” Brittany giggles, and then follows suit, hopping out of the car. “Come on, this is gonna be fun.”
