Page 59 of Where We Met

In this moment, I feel like such a weak and immature college student.

It's incredible how quickly reality managed to smack me in the face the second we landed back in America. Almost as if Italy was just a dream. One where I was good enough for such a successful, handsome man. I feel like our age difference has never been more transparent than it is now.

As we inch closer and closer to my apartment, the streets show their wear and tear more and more. Homeless people are on every street corner, and I think I even see a drug deal taking place.

I see him shift in seat, looking a bit uncomfortable as we turn onto my street and the GPS brings him to a stop outside of my apartment.

He pulls up right in front of it and slams the car in park then takes a deep breath.

"Please tell me this isn't seriously where you live?" He turns to me.

I swallow the embarrassment growing inside of me and simply nod my head.

"Who do you live with?" he asks.

Shit, I didn't anticipate that question. I let the silence linger, unwilling to answer his question.

"Dammit, Savannah. Who do you live with?"

I risk a peek at him and see his anger is only growing.

"It's just me and Bailey."

"Do you understand how unsafe this neighborhood is? I'm not one to be overly dramatic, but I can confidently say I wouldn't even feel safe living here. Why are you living here and not on campus?"

"It's complicated."

"Is there something I need to know?" he asks accusingly.

My eyebrows draw together. "What the hell does that mean? I don't know what you're insinuating. My dad just couldn't help out as much with funds this year. He's already paying for my tuition, which isn't cheap, and I didn't want to make him feel bad, so I told him I could handle it on my own. This is all I could afford. It's not a big deal."

I do my best to shake off the image of the two men who cornered me.

"You mean your father doesn't know you live here?" He runs his hand through his hair with frustration. "There's no way he would be okay with this. You can't stay here."

Easy for him to say, like it's that simple for me to find a more affordable place in a better neighborhood.

"I don't have any other options. It's only five more weeks. The lease is monthly, so I'm able to get out as soon as school is over."

He shakes his head as I'm talking. "No. There's no way in hell I'm letting you stay here."

I understand being concerned, or shit, even judging me like I expected, but I didn't expect him to demand I stay somewhere else. It’s making me angry that he thinks he has a say in my situation.

"Well, that's not your call to make. My family is in Cincinnati, and I have no one else here to stay with. I'm afraid you're just going to have to get over it." I fold my arms across my chest, feeling like I put him in his place.

"Princess, your safety is always my business. Now, let's go pack some of your things. We'll get the rest tomorrow." He opens his door and gets out.

I get out of the car and quickly follow behind him. "What? I told you I don't have anywhere to go. Luke, you're being stubborn."

"You're staying with me." That's all he says before he’s stalking toward the door of my apartment building.

"I can't stay with you."

"Why not?" he calls over his shoulder.

"Well, for one, I have Bailey."

"It's a good thing our dogs seemed to love each other. Vino will be happy to have a temporary roommate."

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