Page 39 of Holding Grace

I did a U-turn in a quiet intersection and headed for my house to pick up the things I’d need. “It’s not going to change my mind but go for it. What’s your condition?”

“You have to let me say thank you.”

I looked at her, my smile widening as she looked back at me sternly. “Fine, you can say thank you once.”

“That’ll do.” She nodded firmly. “I guess I’ve got myself a roomie for a couple days.”

Chapter 13

Grace

It wasn’t as awkward as I thought it would be. I mean, it was awkward, especially sharing a bathroom with Michael which felt weirdly intimate, but not as uncomfortable as I expected.

Besides, I was freaking out more than I was trying to let show. A little awkwardness was a small price to pay for the reassurance of having Michael with me. When he’d offered, I’d downplayed how much it meant to me, but I’d nearly passed out in relief.

In the end we decided that he should sleep up in the loft with me. On the floor, of course, but I had an area rug up there that would provide an extra layer of cushion for him.

It wasn’t much of a discussion. I suggested it, he said fine, and that was that.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then changed into a t-shirt and sleep shorts at warp speed while Michael was in the bathroom doing the same.

I jumped into bed, pulled the covers up to my armpits, and took a calming breath as Michael reappeared wearing a t-shirt and gym shorts, his feet bare.

I’d seen him in t-shirts before but those shorts...let’s just say the man did not skip leg day at the gym.

Trying not to be obvious, I studied the remote controller for the loft’s ceiling fan as if it required intense focus to operate.

“Okay if I have the ceiling fan on low? It’s a little bit of white noise and I like the air flow.”

Michael dropped down on his sleeping bag a few feet from my bed. “Okay with me.”

I turned the fan on and waited until he’d settled on his back on top of the sleeping bag, his hands stacked behind his head.

“Are you sure you don’t want a pillow?” I had three in various sizes. I could share one.

“No, I usually sleep without one.” Michael chuckled at the look I gave him. “I know it’s weird. I’m usually on my back or stomach so I don’t need one.”

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