A trickle of concern runs down my spine that I’m about to turn up to find myself evicted any day now and that I won’t have a home to take her back to, but I push it away, just like I’ve done for the past few weeks.
“You okay?” she asks, clearly noticing the change in me.
“Yeah, just looking forward to picking you up later.”
“Oh yeah? Got big plans, have you?”
“I might have.” It’s a lie, I’ve planned nothing. But there’s plenty of time to do so.
She smiles at me. It’s so innocent yet full of passion. It totally disarms me.
Leaning over, I wrap my hand around the nape of her neck and pull her into me.
“Thank you for trusting me last night.” My lips brush against hers as I say the words.
“You too.” Her hand lands on my shoulder and she tugs to close the last bit of space between us. I know she wants to kiss me, but equally I know she wants to end the conversation.
I heard the pain in every word she said last night. I know how hard it was for her to tell me.
Do I feel guilty for not returning the favour and telling her the most painful part of my past? Hell yeah. But equally, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to say the words. I’ve never explained it to anyone. The only people who know about the tragedy are those who were around at the time. Even all these years on, the pain is just too much. Merely thinking about it shreds me.
“I finish at five. But no pressure. If you can’t make it back, just give me the heads up, yeah?”
“I’ll be here.”
“Okay. See you then.”
She hesitates to get out of the car. It’s not until I laugh at her for hovering that she finally pushes the door open and walks towards the building. I watch her every movement, my eyes locked on her arse as it sways.
Before she disappears through the main doors, she turns and gives me a smile and wave. I return the gesture before reversing her car from the space.
I shake my head. Colton might have had a point the other night. Fucking voodoo pussy messing with my head and making me picture things I’ve always told myself weren’t for me.
Suddenly thoughts of tomorrow aren’t so scary.
Making the most of having a vehicle, I run a few errands and do a little grocery shopping before making the trip I’m dreading… to my letting agent.
I pull up out the front of their shop and kill the engine. I’ve been here countless times, trying to buy myself some more time. They were slightly lenient to start with, but I know this is it. That final eviction notice is more than enough evidence. It doesn’t stop me blowing out a large breath and pushing the car door open.
Before, I might have been okay with living in my room at the studio. But it’s not just me now. I need to think of Harlow. My priorities are a little different all of a sudden.
I want to be the man she deserves if we’re going to be continuing with whatever this is that I refuse to label. I want to be someone she can be proud of. I want to have a place where she can stay the night and can enjoy spending time in.
Shaking my head at myself and how things can change so fast, I walk into the shop.
“Mr. Edwards, how lovely to see you,” Chris, the guy who’s been dealing with me announces as I walk towards his desk. “What can I help you with?”
I take a seat when he gestures for me to do so.
“I need to come up with a plan. I can’t lose the flat. Not now. I’ve got a little money from last month. It’s not the whole amount but—”
“No need. Your account has already been settled,” Chris says, his brows drawing together in confusion as he looks at his computer.
“I’m sorry, what?” My brows crease as I lean towards him, thinking I misheard.
He clicks about on his computer for a few seconds before nodding.
“Full payment plus six months of advanced rent was made this morning. Look.” He spins the computer screen to show me.
I stare at the four little letters in red and confusion washes through me. Paid.
“But how? I don’t have that kind of money. If I did, I’d have sorted this out weeks ago.”
“I don’t know. There’s no name attached.”
I sit back in the chair and let his words register in my brain.
My account’s been paid.
But no one knew about this.
No one would…
Unless they’d seen the letter.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Harlow
The second I get in the building, I pull my cell out and find the number for the letting agent. I have no doubts this time as I connect the call and put my cell to my ear.
It rings a couple of times before someone answers. My heart hammers in my chest, but I know I’m doing the right thing.
“Hi, I’d like to make a payment on an account,” I say to the cheery woman on the other end.
“Okay, great. Do you have any of the account details?”
“Um, no. I have the address of the apartment in question, if that helps.”
“Sure.”
Between us we eventually figure it out, although she’s very professional and doesn’t divulge any of Corey’s information. By the time I hang up, all I know is how much in rent arrears he was. No longer. I’ve secured him a home and hopefully taken a weight off his mind for a while.
Something inside me aches to do more, to turn that empty and cold apartment into a home, but I know I might have already overstepped the mark. He could either be really grateful for this, or furious. Only time will tell, but I fear doing any more will definitely push him into the latter
