I smiled at the adorable creature and crouched down. “Hey there, little marshmallow. Did you miss me?”
“Traitor,” he told the dog affectionately. “You like her too much.”
He grabbed my suitcases and started across the living room toward the other side of his house. I gave Luna one last little scratch before following after him.
“The apartment’s this way,” he said over his shoulder.
A few moments later we came upon a lone wooden door and he opened it, flicking on the stairwell light.
“The garage entrance is here.” He gestured to another door across from the one we just came through.
I was grateful there was a separate entrance so I wouldn’t have to walk through his half of the house every time I came and went.
He started up the stairs, and I climbed after him. When we reached the landing, Jay brushed past me to switch on more lights.
I froze as soon as the room came into full view.
“Oh, wow,” I breathed.
The living room was massive. It had angled ceilings, oak floors, and tall floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. A sectional three times the size of the couch in my brother’s cabin sat in the center, with a glass coffee table and a flatscreen TV on the far wall.
Jay nodded toward the space. “Living room.”
I stepped farther in, and spotted the kitchen tucked neatly along the back wall. It had all stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, a deep sink, and an adorable two-person table under the window.
Jay nudged my suitcase toward a hallway. “Bedroom’s down here.”
I followed and found the bedroom was just as spacious as the living room, with a queen bed centered under a slanted window. There were fresh linens set out, a soft plush rug, and an oak dresser along the wall.
My voice came out barely above a whisper. “Jay, this is too much.”
He didn’t respond. He just set my suitcases down by the closet and continued on his tour. “Bathroom’s here.” He opened the next door, revealing a massive shower and tub. “And then the laundry is here, so you don’t have to come down to my side of the house.” He gestured to a door directly next to the bathroom.
I was still trying to take it all in when we wandered back into the living room again.
He walked past the kitchen and to a set of sliding glass doors I hadn’t noticed before.
“Last thing.”
He pulled it open, and a rush of cool night air swept in. We stepped onto the small balcony, and I couldn't help the little gasp that escaped me.
The private section of the lake he lived on stretched out below us, wide and glimmering under the moonlight. His massive deck and private dock were just below the accessory apartment, and little lanterns dotted the perimeter, illuminating everything and reminding me of fireflies.
“I can’t afford this, Jay,” I said, certain it couldn’tpossibly be within my price range. Surely a place like this would be thousands of dollars to rent.
“I’m only asking for eight hundred a month. Can you afford that?”
My jaw dropped. “You’re joking, right? Eight hundred?”
“Take it or leave it,” he said, leaning against the balcony railing and crossing his arms over his chest.
I looked at him, trying to figure out how to respond, but coming up empty. It felt too generous and way too good to be true. I cleared my throat and looked down, unable to meet his gaze directly. Was I really going to do this? Stay in his apartment?
What other choices did I have?
“Thank you. I’ll take it.”
“Great. You can send me the payment by the end of the week, and rent will be due at the beginning of each month.” He pushed off the railing, heading back into the apartment.
