Page 29 of Nitro

Both of us had our share of secrets. Now wasn’t the right time to divulge all of them.

“Want to share a dessert?” I finally managed to ask.

Nitro perked up at that. He seemed relieved I changed the topic. “We should probably get two or three,” Nitro said.

Thank God, bear shifters loved sweet things.

Despite my evening with Nitro not unfolding as smoothly as I had anticipated, I was relieved that he didn't simply walk me back to my apartment and wish me good night.

True to his word, Nitro was committed to staying over.

He really was keeping his promise of staying over. Did that make me weak? Unable to stay alone in my own apartment?

What happened to the brand new and independent Tommy? In the end, was I relying on Nitro too much?

And then there was that whole near panic attack saga at the restaurant. Today was definitely not one of my best days.

To add to the charm, Nitro got to witness a side of me that I'm still in the process of fixing.

Nitro saw the unfiltered, unedited version of me and I wasn’t sure how I feel about it.

"Everyone's a work in progress, even me," Nitro remarked casually as we strolled towards my unit.

"I was thinking out loud again, wasn't I?" I asked.

Nitro simply nodded.

"I should learn to keep these thoughts to myself," I mumbled, fishing out my keys and unlocking the door.

Nitro pressed a hand to my shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed. My heart raced a little faster, as he walked in ahead of me.

I couldn't help but wonder if he had detected something unusual in my apartment.

"Nitro?" I questioned uncertainly.

"Come on in," Nitro eventually responded after giving my place a quick, cursory glance.

"What is it?" I asked, stepping inside and flicking on the lights.

"You left one of your windows open. Didn't mean to worry you," he said, his tone light and tinged with humor. "What I thought I heard earlier was just the wind."

His words provided reassurance, yet I couldn't shake the need to confirm.

I walked over to the mentioned window, furrowing my brows as I pondered whether I had indeed forgotten to close it.

I couldn't recall. Besides, I lived on the seventh floor.

That meant that the likelihood of anyone or anything slipping in through the window was next to impossible.

Unless it was something supernatural, I reminded myself. I quickly dismissed those thoughts.

It was best not to let my imagination get the better of me. Focus on the present, on Nitro, I reminded myself.

I glanced over at Nitro, who was casually settling into the sofa.

"Nitro, want something to drink?" I asked.

He grinned, "Beer if you've got some."

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