Page 23

“Yeah. The sport can be brutal in-season, but then when it’s off-season, I feel a little lost.”

“Do you feel a little lost right now?” I blurt out without thinking.

We’re stopped at a four-way intersection in my neighborhood in the South End, close to my street. He turns his head as his eyes linger up and down my body, taking me in. My body heats up in response.

“No,” he says with a grin as he flicks his blinker before turning onto my street.

Calvin easily finds a parking spot in front of my small apartment, because of course he does, and we jump out of his vehicle to grab the boxes in the back. He hands me the lightest box, and then he grabs one for himself.

“You can leave it on the steps in front of my door if you have places to be.”

“I don’t. Do you mind if I bring the box inside, or would you rather I stay outside?”

I swallow. Admittedly, I am a little nervous about inviting a guy other than my brother into my place. I haven’t done so since moving to the East Coast five years ago. I wonder if Calvin senses my nerves or if he would ‌rather rush home.

I test my theory and say, “Up to you. Whatever you’d prefer.”

A small smile tugs at his lips as he walks up my brick steps and waits behind me with the box in tow. “I’ll drop it off inside, if that’s okay.”

“Already said it was,” I say with a little sass in my step. Not sure where that came from.

“Noted.”

He follows me into my kitchen/living room/bedroom, and he drops the box down next to mine.

“This is my place, and here’s the tour,” I say, waving my hand around the room, but not moving a step. Yes, my place is that small. I live in a tiny box of a studio apartment. The kitchen is to the right with an island and two stools that overlook my bedroom and living room. My living room is in the center of the room, and I have a small full bed tucked against a long wall. It’s a small place, but it’s all mine.

His jaw ticks. “This is it?”

“Yep,” I say, now feeling embarrassed for the first time. Maybe this was a mistake. I look down at my shoes, and before I can add anything else, he speaks.

“I didn’t realize how close you lived to the women’s shelter. I knew you lived in the same neighborhood, but not this close.”

“Yup,” I say, popping the p with my lips. I live next door to the women’s shelter, which was the founding project of the Good WIN Foundation.

Sebastian actually owns this entire building, both the women’s shelter and my little apartment next door, which also has a few other rentals in the building as well. The rentals help offset the cost of the nonprofit, although he absolutely refuses to accept rent for my studio, which we argue about often.

It’s why I took the smallest apartment in the building, which Sebastian isn’t a huge fan of, but whatever. I don’t need anything spacious, anyway. I would rather have my freedom than a beautiful mansion with no control or say. This place is all mine, and I love it, small size and all.

“Are you sure you want the boxes here?”

“Because there’s no room?” I say with a little bite since I’m feeling sensitive about my tight living quarters.

“Well, yeah,” he admits freely. “I’m happy to store them at my place,” he teases, waggling his brows. “That way you can visit anytime.”

Without thinking, I whack him on the arm. “Shut up.” After a slight pause, I add, “I wanted to keep this stuff for myself. I may hang the flower garland up.”

Calvin springs to the box and pulls out the garland. I grab some extra-strong hooks, and he provides the height as we work beside each other to rehang this garland, only in my place this time.

I thought it would be weird to have a man—besides my brother—in my personal space, especially after all these years of being single and avoiding men, but it’s not as terrible as I anticipated. Maybe it’s this particular man, or maybe I’ve changed. I’m not quite sure.

“Thanks for your help,” I say after the flowers are secured to the wall.

“Don’t mention it. Is there anything else I can do?”

“No,” I rush out to say. “You’ve already done so much,” I add.

Calvin stuffs his hands into his shorts pockets and reaches for his car keys.