But I’m not scared anymore... Okay, that’s not entirely true. But my fear is greatly outweighed by my desire to...well, I don’t actually know what I want. To sleep with her? Date her? Both?
I haven’t been in a real relationship since high school, and even then, it didn’t last long. I don’t even know what a real relationship would look like, only that the thought of Maisie walking out of my life a second time is the last thing I want.
“I hate to tell you, but you’re not going to win me over with some fancy dinner,” she says after a long moment, pulling me from my thoughts.
“If you think that, then you underestimate me.” I turn left and then take an immediate right into the parking lot of an abandoned building.
Maisie leans forward, looking up at the chipped brick and broken windows.
“So your plan is to murder me then?”
“No, Mais.” I laugh. “I have no intention of murdering you.”
“Then why are we here?”
I pull the car up next to the building and shift it into park.
“You’ll see.”
“Not good enough.”
“You’re just going to have to trust me.”
“Trust you?” She lets out a humorless laugh. “Well, isn’t that rich. The guy who fucked me over and humiliated me, asking me to trust him.”
“You challenged me to prove to you I’m not the same guy I was two years ago. This is me doing that.”
“By taking me to a murder house?”
“For fuck’s sake, Mais, it’s not a murder house. It’s an old milling company, and if you’ll give me a moment, I’ll show you why we’re here.”
She looks at the building again and then back at me.
“I’m stronger than I look. If you so much as try anything, I will hurt you.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” I grin, killing the engine before quickly exiting the car. Crossing around the front, I pull open her door before she has a chance, helping her to her feet. “Come.” I close her door, locking the car before taking her hand, pulling her alongside me toward the building.
“I don’t like this,” she whisper-hisses, but to my surprise doesn’t pull away when I slip my fingers through hers.
“Relax. I know it looks sketchy from the outside, but there’s a really cool place here that makes it worthwhile.” I slip my phone out of my pocket with my free hand, clicking on the flashlight to light our way. While the sun hasn’t fully set, casting an orange glow across the sky, it’s not enough light to do shit once we get inside.
“If you say so.” She’s hesitant but still allows me to guide her into the building, which is unlocked, as per usual. No one really cares about security when there’s nothing of value.
I lead her through the main floor, which is littered with trash, the walls covered in graffiti, before turning down a long hallway.
“I don’t like this.” Her grip on my hand tightens, her free hand coming up to grip my forearm.
“I promise nothing bad is going to happen to you. Just trust me.”
“Again asking for the impossible.” She huffs but makes no attempt to turn back, no doubt her curiosity winning out.
Without responding, I use my hip to shove open a door on the left, pulling her into the stairwell with me.
“Watch your step. Some of the stairs aren’t in the best condition.”
“Great.” She blows out a heavy breath, her focus going to her feet as we climb the six floors that lead to the roof.
By the time we reach the top, my legs are screaming, as I’m sure are Maisie’s, but she never says a word of complaint.
