Her response came through.See you soon.
I sat on the couch with Beau in my lap and waited.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
HALEY
Istood outside Tolrek’s door at six forty-three, my overnight bag weighing about a thousand pounds on my shoulder.
The hallway was quiet. His building was older than mine, with crown molding along the ceiling and scuffed hardwood floors that probably predated both of us. Someone down the hall was cooking something with garlic. A television echoed behind one of the doors.
I’d packed the bag three times. The first version had too much. I’d looked like I was moving in. The second had too little, just toiletries and a change of clothes that screamed walk of shame. The third attempt sat on my shoulder now, somewhere between the two extremes, though I’d still second-guessed my pajama choice at least six times. The blue ones with the shorts. Cute but not trying too hard. Comfortable but not frumpy.
I was losing my mind over pajamas.
My hand rose to knock, then paused halfway there.
The door opened before my knuckles connected with wood.
Tolrek stood inside, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, barefoot, his hair down around his shoulders. The apartment behind him glowed with warm light.
“I heard you,” he said. “You should’ve knocked.”
“I was working up to it.”
“I figured.” He gave me a crooked smile and took my bag before stepping back, making space for me to enter. When I’d passed the threshold, he closed the door and slid the deadbolt home.
The smell hit me first, something savory and rich, with herbs I couldn’t name. Cooking. He’d been cooking.
Four pounds of enthusiastic Yorkie launched himself at my shins.
“Beau.” I crouched down, laughing as he tried to climb into my lap and lick my face simultaneously. “Hi, baby. I missed you too.”
He made sounds that suggested I’d abandoned him for years instead of days, his whole body wiggling.
“He’s been watching the door for the past hour,” Tolrek said. “I think he knew you were coming.”
“Smart dog.” I scratched behind Beau’s ears, and he rolled onto his back, demanding belly rubs. “Very smart dog.”
Tolrek hefted my bag, frowning. “How long are you planning to stay?”
“One night. Why?”
“This bag suggests otherwise.”
Heat crawled up my neck. “I might need more than one pair of underwear.”
His gaze dropped to my hips, then back to my face. “You won’t need any at all.”
The air between us changed, heat replacing the awkwardness.
Beau jumped off my lap and trotted toward the kitchen, clearly expecting me to follow.
“He wants to show you his kingdom,” Tolrek said.
“Lead the way.”
The apartment was smaller than mine but felt more lived-in. A couch that had seen better days sat by the left wall, but it looked comfortable. What looked like a handmade patchwork quilt lay across the back.
