Page 15 of See Me

Nothing made sense with him. He had seemed irritated that I was staying with Marina, but he blamed it on my lateness. There was no reason for him to act like that, unless…

“Do you think… he’s jealous?”

Marina leaned back against the bed. “Don’t look at me. But I think there’s something there, and you deserve to find out.”

***

I managed to procrastinate leaving Marina’s place and stayed for dinner. There was a bubble of anxiety floating around my stomach, but it didn’t change how I felt. Something was shifting, and I needed to know what it was.

Moment of truth. I already had Oliver’s spare key so I let myself in. It felt like I was doing something wrong just going inside but knocking felt too awkward.

He hadn’t been kidding when he said he had the extra space. His apartment was huge, not that it was surprising. I had only been inside a few times and had always been impressed.

I stuck my head in first. “Oliver?”

“Come in,” he called. I found him sitting at the kitchen island watching something on his computer. He shut his laptop as I walked in, and stood up. “The guest room’s over here,” he said, not bothering with any pleasantries.

I remembered the way from the last time, but I let him lead me anyway.

“There are towels in the en suite, and fresh sheets on the bed. You should have everything you need. Have you already eaten?”

I nodded as I leaned my suitcase against the wall. “I ate with Marina before I left.”

I half expected him to react in some way - if he really was jealous of Marina - but he didn’t. Instead, he just moved back towards the door. “I’m feeling tired tonight. I’m going to head to bed. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Wait,” I stopped him without realizing what I was doing. He paused in the doorway. My heart was beating hard enough to rise into my throat, but I still managed to find my words. “Are you sure it’s alright if I stay here?”

He rolled his eyes. “I thought we talked about this. It works out better for everyone, including myself, if you just stay here until your apartment’s fixed. It’s fine.”

I felt my jaw clench. “Do youwantme to stay here?”

His eyes widened, just a bit, and I knew he understood. He cut his gaze to the ground, shifting in place as he crossed his arms. “I told you; it’s better this way.”

That might not have been a full answer, but the blush creeping up his neck said more than his words could. It was like coaxing a turtle out of its shell, but I was a patient man.

“Okay. For what it’s worth, I’m glad to be here.”

He just nodded and turned to go.

“And, Oliver? Let me know if you get curious again.” He lingered a moment more, and I wished I could have seen his face. Then he left, closing the door behind him.

Chapter Eight

Thursday passed more normally than I thought it would. I had been disoriented when I woke up, in a soft, unfamiliar bed. It smelled like Oliver, in a way. Like his detergent.

He was up and in the kitchen by the time I was ready. I could smell the coffee as soon as I opened my door, and there was an extra mug sitting on the counter. “I didn’t know how you like it,” he said, tapping the bottle of cream.

I added a splash to the dark liquid and gave it a stir. “Thanks.”

“Hungry? I don’t eat a lot in the mornings, but I have yogurt or some toast.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine with coffee.”

We chatted a little, about small things. Like, how the weather said it was going to rain, and how we were both looking forward to warmer temperatures - though neither of us was overly excited to deal with New York City heat in the summer.

We ended up leaving early since we were both ready. He had a morning meeting outside the office, and then a lunch meeting. We didn’t talk much on the drives, but he was on the phone most of the time anyway.

There had been a tentative plan for us to get dinner on the way back to the apartment, but he and Daphne got called away at the last minute. One of Williams lifelong friends had come to town, so he had summoned the siblings for dinner.

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