Page 60 of Unexpected

“Yeah, I’ve heard of that place. Should probably be a good option. One of my friends, James, or maybe it was Devon. Either way, one of them used to live there, I think.”

We turned into the parking lot, and my spirits immediately lifted. Everything was the exact opposite of the previous place—neat, trim, kept up. I was worried the entire day would be a bust, and when I spotted the relieved look on Luke’s face as he backed into the spot, I knew he had been thinking the same thing.

“Let’s go,” I said, hopping out of the truck and leaving my rain jacket in the car as the sun evaporated most of the mist. Luke met me on the passenger side of the truck as I slung my purse across my body.

Like it was something he’d always done, he grabbed my hand and led us both inside.

“Pool looks nice,” he commented before opening the door for me to step into the well-decorated leasing office.

“Good morning!” a chipper voice greeted us as the click of heels followed. “How are y’all doing? I’m Savannah.” The woman appeared through a door at our left and stuck out her hand. Her Southern drawl was thick and made each word a little longer than necessary. Her long blonde hair was perfectly curled, and her ruffled blue blouse matched the blue in the pattern of her pencil skirt. With her heels, she was a few inches taller than me.

“Hi, I’m Hazel,” I introduced myself first, shaking her hand and then motioning to Luke just behind me. “And this is Luke.”

Quickly, she shifted from me, removing her hand midshake to offer it to Luke. “It’s so nice to meet you… both.” She added the last part like an afterthought, like she had already forgotten I was there.

Luke pulled his hand back quickly and placed it on his favorite spot at the back of my neck. A gesture that did not go unnoticed by Savannah, who straightened, only letting her beaming white smile slip for a moment.

“So, what can I help y’all with today?”

I cleared my throat, drawing her attention away from Luke and to me. “I’m looking for an apartment.”

“Perfect, I’d love to help you. Let’s go into the office, and I’ll have you fill out some paperwork just so I can get some more information.”

We sat down in the office, which was unnecessarily warm and smelled like burned vanilla.

The blonde shuffled a few papers around on her desk, scattering a few on the floor, but she scooped them up quicker than I could even help being the closest to her. She was frazzled and I couldn’t imagine it was because I was inquiring about apartment availability. I had a feeling it was because of the man now gripping my thigh as we waited for the necessary paperwork.

“I’m sorry, I’m a little out of sorts this morning. Y’all came on in before I had a chance to grab my coffee. Here it is,” she said, sliding a piece of paper and a pen to me. “Just fill this out while I go grab that coffee. Can I get y’all anything?”

“We’re fine, thanks,” Luke answered for us both, and I could feel the warmth of his hand seeping through my jeans and to my thigh. His hand had migrated up just enough that I suddenly forgot my birth date and most of the other information required on the stupid form.

I shifted in my chair and nudged him. “I can’t think straight when you’re grabbing me like that.”

He chuckled but moved his hand closer to my knee, still keeping his grip tight. “Sorry, I have a hard time not touching you, and I get a little carried away sometimes.”

I bit my lower lip as I tried to contain the smile that threatened to split my face at his words. “I like it when you touch me,” I said while throwing him a face that warned him not to make a sexual joke before continuing, “but it makes me lose focus.”

“I’ll try to behave,” he said through a lopsided grin, showing off that dimple again.

“Good.”

By the time Savannah returned with a large “Don’t Mess with Texas” mug full of coffee, I had finished the form and was nervously waiting to get started. Luke had already asked me to quit fidgeting twice and moved his hand back up my thigh. His fingers were encroaching awfully close to a place that I had longed for him to be for a while. With his hand there, it was the only thing I could focus on, and the nerves dissipated. He laughed, gauging my reaction.

“Okay, great. So, you’re looking for a one-bedroom apartment for an immediate move-in.” She pulled out another paper with a few different one-bedroom floor plan options and was relatively professional throughout her presentation. I only caught her batting her lashes at Luke twice.

“Which one do you think you’re interested in?” she asked.

I glanced at each. “They’re all fine. I just need something that’s available as soon as possible.”

“Got it. If that’s the case, then this one will be available in two weeks.” I cringed because even two weeks was pushing my time line—I wanted to be out of the house in no more than a week. I couldn’t risk Michael coming back with me still living in the house.

Even with the possibility that it might be too far off, I asked to see that floor plan. We were already there anyway.

As we walked to the model, she showed us all the amenities and discussed the perks in depth. There was an upgraded twenty-four-hour gym, an Olympic-sized pool, two hot tubs, and anything else my heart could desire.

The model was nice, with quartz countertops and dark cabinets. The fixtures were new, and I made sure to confirm with Savannah—who, might I add, was gawking at Luke from across the room—that it was exactly what the apartment coming available would look like.

“Yes, it will be identical to this, except there will be carpet in the bedroom.”

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