Page 40 of The Backup Plan

“Not your fault.”

“I know, but . . . thank you for not saying anything today.”

“No need to thank me.”

“I can take it from here. You really don’t have to—”

“I’ve got it. I’ll carry it in for you.”

I fumble with the key, push open the door, and step aside as he carries in the suitcase.

“You can put it anywhere,” I say.

He sets the suitcase down beside the boxes and glances around. “These places don’t have much imagination, do they?” he asks, glancing at the bare walls. “They’re all the same.”

“How would you know that?” I ask.

He grins. “Maybe because I’ve lived in about a dozen versions of this apartment over the years.” He shrugs. “Different cities. Same couch. Same white walls. Same generic everything.”

“I’m assuming I shouldn’t take offense to that.”

“No. Definitely don’t. Team digs are team digs—welcome when you need to use them but not where you want to stay permanently.”

“Brutal, but true.” I smile despite myself. “I might spruce mine up a bit.”

He takes a step toward the still open door. “Only if you do mine too.”

I blink. “Yours?”

He lifts his chin to the door across the hall from mine. “Hi, neighbor.”

“What are you—”

“My housing situation was a debacle,” he says quickly. “Don’t ask. Last-minute contract. Didn’t want to overthink it.”

“And you still took the chance.”

His smile softens. “I needed to be here.” Simple. Honest.

I nod, not wanting to push. Not yet.

“But between work and your doorstep, you might have a justifiable reason to get sick of me.”

“That’s a possibility,” I tease.

He flashes me a grin, one that’s warm and unmistakably charming. “Good night, neighbor.”

“Good night,” I say seconds before he closes the door across from mine, the soft click echoing across the hallway.

I stand there longer than necessary.

“I may have a reputation for not giving a fuck, but if I see something wrong, I fix it. Last night wasn’t . . . right. And you clearly weren’t okay.”

Despite his arrogance, I have a feeling that Lucas Hale is a good man. He stepped in where a bar full of others didn’t.

“I was worried about your safety.”

Temporary housing.