Page 30 of Stick With Me
“You know, in romance books—only one bed, forced proximity.”
“You,Mr. Anti-Love,being into romance books is still the funniest shit ever.” Fox may come off as a guy who gives no fucks to most people, but behind all that, he’s a big softy. “And it won’t be one bed. I’m buying a new place,” I add.
“You’re kidding me. First, you can’t move, we’re neighbors. Second, you can’t buy a place for a girl you’re not even with.” His tone makes it clear he thinks I’m an idiot.
“I’m not doing it just for her.” Which is partially true. “I want more space, and I’m tired of living in a high-rise. I want privacy.”
“So what, you’re going to move to the suburbs? You’re twenty-five and single. You’re too young and too single for the burbs.” He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“I’ll be twenty-six in a couple of months,” I mutter.
“Not the point,” he singsongs.
I chuckle. “Not going to the burbs. I’m looking for a brownstone in a quieter area of the city. I’m going to see some after practice.”
“All right, I’ll come with you.”
I eye him. “That’s unnecessary.”
“You’re losing your head, bud. I think it is. You need a voice of reason.”
“And you, of all people, are going to be my voice of reason?”
He shrugs. “Someone’s gotta do it.”
“I think this is it,” I tell Fox and the realtor. We stand in the kitchen of what will hopefully be my new home. “Let’s put in an offer.”
When Hannah and I were broke college students—okay, maybe I was the only broke one—we were walking around the city and stumbled across an open house. It was hot, and we figured it’d be a good way to cool off and maybe snag some free food. So, we walked in and pretended to be a young married couple hunting for our dream home. We definitely didn’t pull it off, but the realtor humored us and let us tour the place anyway.
I still remember how her face lit up over the smallest details: the stained wood molding, the nine-foot ceilings, the butler’s pantry, and the iron terraces. She couldn’t stop talking about the charm and character, saying, “One day, I’ll live in a place just like this.” That’s what this place reminds me of, and I want to make her “one day” dream a reality now.
“I saw a sign for the one next door. Is it available? Can we see it?” Fox asks.
“Nah, this one checks all the boxes.” I turn toward the realtor. “The current owners have already moved out. I know we can’t close in a week, but do you think we could arrange a rental agreement before the closing date?”
“That would actually strengthen your offer. The owners have already relocated, and they are looking for a fast close. I’m sure an interim rental agreement would thrill them. Should I prepare an offer?”
“Yeah. I want to move in as soon as possible. I have a new roommate moving in next week.”
“I’ll make the call,” she tells me before directing her attention to Fox. “The place next door is priced a bit higher, but it does have a more modern design.” Hannah doesn’t like modern; she constantly made comments about her place in Dallas feeling like a hospital. Definitely not the vibe I’m going for.
“Modern sounds perfect to me. Lead the way.” Fox follows her out.
Even though I’ve been giving him shit all day about his separation anxiety, the idea of him being my neighbor doesn’t sound so bad. I just can’t picture him settling down, especially in a neighborhood like this. It’s nothing like the high-rise bachelor pads we live in now. That should freak me out, but it doesn’t. I’m ready for this.
Alone for the first time all day, I take my phone out and call Hannah. She picks up on the second ring. Before I hear her voice, there’s a quiet clearing of her throat, followed by a few heavy breaths. “Hi…” she finally says.
“Hey, Sunshine, did I interrupt something?”
“Nope!” she answers too enthusiastically.
“Why’re you breathing heavily?”
Her reply starts with a burst of nervous laughter. “Oh, yeah, that. I’m moving boxes.”
Her awkwardness and forced enthusiasm aren’t lost on me. So much for moving on like the kiss never happened. This might take longer to bounce back from than I anticipated. I might have to revisit my plan.
Silence stretches between us, heavy and loud, before she finally asks, “Are we okay?”
