Page 21 of Tattered Edges

“Um, my power went out. I think I tripped a fuse,” I admitted, the words coming easier the more I managed to spit out. “Except, I can’t seem to find the fuse box. I promise I wouldn’t have bothered you if it was just my apartment, but the bookstore doesn’t have power either. It’s Victoria’s day off, so it’s just me today and…”

My words trailed off into silence as I watched him turn his back to me before I could finish. The door eased its way to closed as he disappeared, but he hadn’t shut it hard enough for it to latch. I didn’t know what to make of his sudden departure, so I stood there, dumbstruck and very cold.

Was he coming back?

Was my cry for help not worth his time?

Was he still upset I was the reason his premature deal with Archie had been called off?

Did hewantme to fail? It would certainly work in his favor.

After a full minute, when he still hadn’t returned, I frowned—still very confused—and turned to make my way back home. Maybe I would have to call Victoria after all. Or maybe I could google an electrician; though, to pay someone to come out only to locate a fuse box seemed ridiculous.

I was halfway to my door when I heard someone else’s shut. A quick glance over my shoulder, and all my worry melted away.

Rory was no longer half naked. He’d put on a quarter-zip pullover and some sneakers. Though, his hair was still a mess, and his scowl was perfectly intact, so he was still unignorably good looking.

I smiled at him as he closed the distance between us. When he caught up with me, I murmured, “Thank you.”

He shook his head once, not missing a step as he replied, “Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t done anything.”

I hurried after him, relieved to be going indoors. When we arrived at my front stoop, he stood aside to allow me to go in first, then trailed after me as I hurried up the stairs. As soon as we stepped foot into the flat, it was my turn to step aside. I motioned with my hand that he was free to roam, and he didn’t need further permission.

Rory walked right into the kitchen, barely lit by whatever sunlight was straining through the gray sky to reach us through the windows across the room, and immediately started opening cabinet doors. I knit my eyebrows together, not understanding in the slightest why a fuse box would be tucked inside of a cabinet. But, sure enough, in less than thirty seconds, he’d found it.

Other than what remained of the dry goods I’d purchased at the grocery store on Sunday, a few mugs, and literally two plates, the overhead cabinets were still fairly empty. He didn’t even have to clear away any items in order to open the metal door to access the switches. I heard a few clicks, and then the lights were back on.

As was my hair dryer.

“Crap!” I gasped before racing up the stairs.

Fortunately, I managed to make it to the bathroom to turn it off before it tripped another fuse. I unplugged it for good measure, then breathed a sigh of relief.

“Is that what you were doing when the power went? Blow drying your hair?” Rory inquired, his voice finding its way to me from the third floor.

I stepped out of the bathroom and into the hallway, walking the short distance to the top of the stairs. He stood at the bottom and looked up at me.

“Yes. But this is the third time I’ve done it this week,” I felt compelled to explain. “I didn’t have this problem before.”

He pointed at the stairs. “May I?”

“Uh, sure, yeah,” I stammered.

He made quick work of the stairs, and I watched him do it. When he reached the top step, I moved out of his way. Except, ever the gentleman, he nodded his head, indicating I should go first.

“Show me, Sawyer.”

I knew what he meant, but my brain took his words, twisted them out of context, and sent my imagination to a place that made my stomach clench in anxious anticipation.

He wasn’t a stranger. Not anymore. Knowing precisely who he was, I understood sex would complicate things between us.

Nevertheless, that didn’t stop me from thinking about what I would be willing to show him with the promise that he’d reciprocate.

Not five minutes earlier, I’d gotten a preview. I was sure he wouldn’t disappoint.

It was a tempting thought; however brief it was.

Before things got awkward, I put a lid on my imagination, cleared my throat gently, and led the way to the bathroom.

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