And somewhere in the midst of all of that, somewhere in the midst of realizing I’d somehow caught the attention of Tobias Kelly, I had another realization that if this man noticed me, who else did?
And what did they see when they looked at me?
And how much did they see?
Tobias noticed things about me that I’d never thought about.
The way I touched glass without actually touching it. The way I spoke to animals. The way I drifted when water held my attention. He noticed when I was nervous, when I was confused, when I was about to apologize for something that didn’t need an apology.
I didn’t know what he would notice today.
It was unsettling feeling so seen.
My phone buzzed while I was tying my shoes.
Ben.
I’m outside whenever you’re ready. No rush.
I checked the time.
Seven thirty-six.
Early.
Of course, he was early.
I grabbed my bag from the kitchen table, then stopped with my hand halfway toward the lunch container sitting beside it.
I didn’t need it.
Tobias had made that clear.
Breakfast and lunch would be provided. Dinner too, if I stayed late. He’d said it like it was the most obvious arrangement in the world, like food was just another system he’d decided to maintain because I happened to be part of the house’s daily function now.
I left the container on the table.
Then, after three seconds of staring at it, I shoved a granola bar into my bag anyway.
Just in case.
The hallway outside my apartment smelled faintly of detergent and someone’s burnt toast. I locked the door behind me, checked the handle twice, then made my way downstairs with my bag strap gripped too tightly in one hand.
Ben was waiting at the curb.
Not leaning against the car. Not scrolling his phone. Just standing beside the rear door with that easy, effortless posture of his, blond hair neatly styled, blue eyes bright even in the weak morning light. He looked like the sort of person who could walk into any room and immediately know where to stand, what to say, who needed charm, and who needed space.
In other words, the exact opposite of me.
When he saw me, he smiled.
“Morning, Cove.”
“Morning,” I said, slowing as I reached him. “Sorry if I kept you waiting.”
“You didn’t. I was early.”
“I noticed,” I laughed.
