Page 25 of His Reward
“Do you need a ride to work?”he asks.
I should say no so I’m not taking advantage of his generosity, but I’m greedy for the last moments left to enjoy his company before he leaves the city.
“I’d love that.You have a day off today?”
“No, my job started an hour ago.”He smiles when my eyebrows lift.“It’s OK.I called ahead and told them I’d be late.”
“Thank god.I didn’t want to be the reason you got fired.”
He chuckles, then his expression turns serious.
“I want to run something by you before we leave.”He pauses.“You said you were struggling with the rent for this place.What if I helped out by moving into the spare bedroom?”
“Oh.Wow.”I blink, processing his offer.“What about your job?Your commute will be ridiculous.”
“I’m a subcontractor.I can move around.The company I subcontract for has work sites in the GTA.”
Why am I hesitating when the decision is a no-brainer?I’ll save a lot of money and his protective presence will be a huge peace of mind.I wouldn’t have to worry about any assholes climbing through my window with an ex-military roommate around.
I know why I’m debating this.There’s been a weird vibe between us since we reconnected.
Also, I kind of… sort of…probablyhave the teeniest, tiniest crush on him, which made me give him a creepy hug.Worst of all, I had a filthy dream about him where my twisted brain made him say he wanted to fuck me.
It feels like it’s not a good idea for us to live together.Alone.
He lets out a short laugh.“Your face says you don’t like the idea.And that’s fine.It was just a suggestion.”
“No, I like it a lot, actually.”
Saying that fills me with conviction.I’m worrying over nothing.Inappropriate energy, feelings, and dreams are meaningless and temporary.What’s truly wrong areactions.Malcolm and I will never go that far.
I give him a huge smile and stick my hand out.
“Welcome to your new home, roommate.”
Satisfaction gleams in Malcolm’s eyes as he takes my hand and shakes it.
12
June
I look up from the bridal catalogue on my monitor when a woman in a blue halter dress and bronze sandals enters the store.As she approaches the desk, I straighten in my seat.Those freshly done twists with the golden brown highlights in her hair look so pretty.
She takes off her sunglasses and smiles at me.
“Hi, I’m here for a try-on.”
I return her smile and open the store’s calendar app.“Great!What’s your name and appointment time?”
She cringes and lets out a nervous laugh.“I didn’t make one.I just got engaged yesterday.”Her smile brightens as she lifts her left hand and points at the gleaming diamond ring on her brown finger.“I was walking by when I saw the store.I got excited and thought I would come in and see what I like.Maybe try something on.Is that OK?”
People seriously don’t read signs.There’s a large one I taped to the door that says TRY-ONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY in the thickest and tallest font I could use, and yet there’s always someone who ignores it.
It’s the middle of wedding season, we’re booked well into September, and someone cancelled today so there’s an open slot.However, walk-ins have felt like risky business ever since last year when a customer spray-painted on one of the pricier dresses.
According to her confession to the police, Spray Paint Lady did it because of a nervous breakdown.She was under constant pressure from her mother and partner to get married, even though she secretly wanted to end the relationship.
No more walk-ins unless they look like they can afford an Ines, Katelyn instructed after that.
