Page 25 of Losing his Daddy

Chapter Ten

Weston

Gerald was an unexpected surprise.

Our meeting went on a few minutes longer as we finalized plans for the following day. He would meet me outside of the first location on my list at seven in the morning. It was going to be Sunday, which meant not an official workday, so I figured he could help me decide which place was best of the available rental properties.

I had an idea of my favorite, but it had been so very long since I’d seen any of them in person that I needed to be sure before committing to the move. From there, Gerald would take over hiring the movers to secure everything. I’d be around as a precaution and to ensure anything irreplaceable was properly packaged.

“An Americano.” Gerald’s familiar voice came from over my shoulder. When I turned, he extended a cup my way.

“Thank you. I must admit I’ve already had some caffeine this morning, though there is never such a thing as too much,” I confessed.

He turned away from me to look at the building instead of commenting. I almost wished he’d push back at me, maybe sayhe thought otherwise. I could tell there was a part of him that didn’t agree.

“This the place?”

“The first one. We have three to look at. I want your honest opinion on which is best for us both. You have to be as comfortable as I am for this to work. And to be fair, I did purchase all of these because I liked them in some way or another. That leaves the final decision with you.”

I could feel him squaring his shoulders like he was heading into war. “Lead the way,” he commanded.

It wasn’t like he was trying to boss me around. It was more that he wanted my guidance since he wasn’t familiar with what needed to be done. I had zero doubt that he’d lead if he were already sure of himself.

Yesterday he’d been clear about going to retrieve our drinks himself. That was something about how he wanted — no, needed — that bit of control that reached me on a deeper level. I recognized that part of him as if it spoke directly to the part of me that needed organization. It’s how I knew he’d be the perfect fit.

I greeted the doorman with a smile, then led us to the elevators. The ride up was strange. A tension built in the air, so strong and swirling I felt ready to burst and demand if he felt it too. But the minute he looked my way I saw nothing. It was as if I’d imagined it all.

And maybe I had.

Something about Gerald Grimes didn’t make sense. I just couldn’t figure out what.

Maybe it was something in his past. Parts of his story made sense. I believed every word he said. It was more the words he wasn’t saying that had me questioning things.

“This is us,” I said once we reached my floor. There were four units on this level. Less than those below us, but more than the ones above.

I opened the door, then led him into the spacious area. It was unfurnished, the walls a bright white and a small section of windows on the far side. Gerald stared at them as if they might burn him alive once the blinds opened.

“There’s a protective film on the windows. It helps with the cooling bill while also preventing anyone from seeing inside the room.”

He hummed before looking over his shoulder. “May I?”

“You’re free to roam as you wish. Please let me know if you have questions.” I felt like a realtor as he stalked away from me to move to the next room.

While he walked around, I leaned against the wall near the entryway. I’d originally intended to tour the space with him, but I could tell he was working to formulate his own thoughts. I didn’t want to influence him with my mindless chatter.

It took him twenty minutes or so to cover the full space. He returned with a neutral expression.

“All done. Are you ready to move to the next location?”

We left the apartment without saying anything else to one another. This pattern continued for both the second and third viewing. It wasn’t until we walked out of the building at the last location that his expression shifted.

“Do you truly not have a preference on the location you will live in?” He asked cautiously.

I bounced my shoulders softly. “Not truly. I really loved my last place, and it didn’t work out. I’m working to not get so attached to things. Though, the situation there will never happen again anyway. I won’t be fooled twice.”

He tilted his head to the side. “I feel like there’s a lot more to the story.”

“There is,” I said as I checked my watch. “What do you say we get some lunch and then I can drive you back to your place? I’ll explain everything and answer any questions you may have.”

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